Laur Kanger

The Rise and Demise of Industrial Modernity (RiDe)

The world is experiencing a series of environmental and social crises of an unprecedently vast scope. A conventional approach is to treat the current situation as yet another one that can be solved by more scientific research and technological innovation. RiDe is based on an alternative assumption: when people born in the 20th century attempt to solve the problems of the 21st century with assumptions about technoscience from the 19th century, various new sustainability fixes will only end up intensifying the very problems they were intended to solve.

RiDe focuses on industrial modernity: a set of beliefs, norms, and practices related to the natural environment, science, and technology that currently characterise every industrial society. The project investigates how industrial modernity has shaped the world over the last two centuries and explores whether shifts in perceptions of the environment, science, and technology signal a potential rupture in industrial modernity.

Result

The project has only just begun, so results are not yet available. However, it will explore the challenges of industrial modernity in three ways. First, it will measure the evolution of beliefs, norms, and behaviours related to the environment, science, and technology over the past 125 years in the 20 largest industrialised countries. This involves using large language models to analyse digital newspaper archives, legislation, scientific publications, and patent data.

Next, through case studies, the team will identify how conventional views on science and technology are currently hindering sustainable solutions. Finally, the researchers will pinpoint countries least burdened by industrial modernity’s legacy, creating an index to measure their potential for a deep sustainability shift.

Impact

The RiDe project holds significant potential to reshape discussions on sustainability and the future of industrial societies. It advocates for a more nuanced understanding of societal transitions, emphasising the need for sustainable approaches that balance technology with cultural and social change. RiDe’s findings could inform policies, addressing global environmental crises by identifying the roots of technological and societal inertia. Ultimately, the project seeks to inspire innovative solutions that transcend purely technical fixes, fostering a broader, holistic understanding of modern challenges.