Can Social Engineering Be Replaced by Technology?

Weinberg proposes that a “technological fix” is both beneficial in the short-term and practical because it does not require the changing of social norms. Implementation of a technological solution is much simpler than providing a social solution. Although technology brings about solutions to several social problems, a long-term, more permanent, fix would require the social engineer to create social change. The audio slide show describes “casual carpooling” as a solution to the social problem of road congestion. The proposed idea of a carpooling system based off of mutual understanding is a solution that does not require technology, rather a change in thinking. Drivers that participate are driven by the incentive of access to lower occupancy roads while passengers are motivated by their necessity to get somewhere. This mutual symbiosis that requires both parties to trust each other is a social solution, does not require new technology and benefits both individuals and the environment.