Taming the Golem - an Experiment in Participatory and Constructive Technology Assessment

This article examines the possibilities and limitations of constructive technology assessment
in the light of a CTA-type experiment conducted in Finland on sustainable
alternatives for online grocery shopping. The starting point of the analysis is the impasse
created by the lack of dialogue between technology proponents and technology
opponents. Constructive technology assessment is investigated here as a forum
for constructive exchange and co-operation between seemingly antagonistic perspectives
on technology. Thus, although the experiment did not provide visible practical
outcomes in technology development or market evolution, it was successful in
creating an atmosphere of dialogue and creativity that helped technology proponents
and opponents to learn from each other. The article concludes that adopting a
‘constructive’ approach in the sense of making stakeholders work together on envisioning
better alternatives appears to be useful in creating new discursive spaces,
even when it does not lead to real-world outcomes.

Key words: technology, assessment, participation