Interdependence of Scientific and Technological Information and Its Relation to Public Decision Making

Recent breakthroughs in superconducting materials reveal the interdisciplinary thrust of modern science and technology. The past fragmentation and specialization of scientific and technical fields is countered by the need for joint research, occurring in several institutional contexts—university, governmental, and industrial—and on an international scale, all affecting the nature of science and technology communication. Recognition that the nation's security and economy depend upon its scientific and technological base means that government is increasingly concerned with its direction; at the same time, the internal dynamism of science and technology requires complex and costly endeavors, making them increasingly dependent upon governmental support and hence public approval. Informing the general public and policymakers adds external dimensions to communication needs. Furthermore, the complex nature of innovation requires greater and speedier communication within the science-technology community, met by more publications and advances in electronic communications, but not to the exclusion of the human element.