October 3, 2006; Hw #1 Reading Reflection

To begin, I really wasn't enthused about reading the Nazi atrocities of World War II; however, with all emotion [pathos] aside, the author of our text does present the issues of science and technology [more of a pseudo-science, in the specific instance of the Nazi regime] in a logical manner despite the fact of how incredibly horrible this subject is.
The Nazi doctors submerged themselves into believing these 'experiments' were for the good of the Aryan nation, to avoid 'awareness of, and guilt over their partication in a murderous project." {see page 92 of "Ethics in Technical Communication}
Under Nazi Anti science {pages 92-95}--
some explanations, on a societal level--
racism;
conformity to the government;
on a personal level--
sadism/cruelty;
revenge [some individuals believe they were 'slighted' because of their unethical beliefs and/or behavoir]


A number of ethicists, such as Ellul, Winner, Marx, Monsma, Weaver all are concerned about how science and technology are seemingly indifferent to traditional values.

Treating humans as objects (objectivization) as opposed to human beings that are equal to the researcher, is simply dangerous, and can lead into the same situation as Germany had in WWII, with the Nazis.


In the regard to this course, [Tech. Writing] I do see the need of those that are [and will be] technical writers to be balanced in their writing, meaning, not so heavy on the tech side, but also not "mushy" [sentimental/emotional]. With all things, a balance.