Image Dynamics in Nanotechnology

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Image Dynamics in Nanotechnologys Risk
DebateMarloes van Amerom (PhD) Martin
Ruivenkamp (M.A.)
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Image Dynamics in Nanotechnologys Risk Debate

• A growing number of actors are discussing the
  risks and drawbacks of Nanotechnology.

• Images used by actors involved can be an
  important means of communicating risks, and of
  generating support for the notion that given
  technology is dangerous and/or should be
  regulated.

• During the portrayal of GM food Frankenstein
  Food became a popular image.

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Image Dynamics in Nanotechnologys Risk Debate

• Image is a broad concept and may refer to
  representations, future notions, graphic
  illustrations, pictures, movies, and so on.

• Attention is specifically focused on nanorisk
  alerting parties such as an NGO, a (re)-insurance
  company and prudent scientists

• In this paper images are understood as
• Metaphor a figure of speech, offering a view on
  something by likening it to something else
• Terse story an abbreviated and succinct
  simplification of the story in which parts of the
  plot, some of the characters, and segments of the
  sequence of events are left to the hearers
  imagination (Boje, et al., 2004)

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Images of Nano-Risks

• Metaphor Nanoparticles as the next Asbestos

Nanotubes
Asbestos
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Images of Nano-Risks

• Terse Story Grey Goo

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Research Questions

• How do these images mix, shape and compete with
  images of other stakeholders?
• How do images affect agenda-setting processes in
  the nanotech risk debate?
• What are the possible implications of the
  outcomes of these processes on the perceived
  desirability of the usage of nanotechnology for
  and in developing countries?

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Nanoparticles as the new Asbestos

• Since 2002 the notion that nanoparticles could
  carry Health, Environmental and Safety risks has
  increasingly entered and informed the nanotech
  risk debate.

Royal Society/Royal Academy of Engineering used
the image nanoparticles as the next asbestos as
well

• In 2002 ETC Group quoted nano-material scientist
  Wiesner Nanoparticles could be the next best
  thing to sliced bread or the next asbestos. (ETC
  Group, 2002 5)
• ETC demanded strict regulations

• Re-insurance company Swiss Re argued that
  nanoparticles could turn out to be a second
  asbestos leading to major damage claims for
  companies
• On this basis Swiss Re called for application of
  the Precautionary Principle

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Grey Goo

• Drexlers notion of Grey Goo (non-biological
  molecular machines eat up the entire biosphere)
  has firstly been identified as a possible
  nanotech danger.

Grey Goo as terse story simplified and
abbreviated, Grey Goo is about havoc wreaking
machines. Other parts of the story are left to
the hearers/readers imagination, without
damaging the notion itself.
Further impetus to the Grey Goo was given by
Bill Joy in Why the future doesnt need us.
It is sustained by Crichtons novel Prey,
although Prey is about out-of-control swarms of
biological organisms.
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Preliminary Findings

• Images are increasingly important elements in
  risk communication exercises by nanotech risk
  alerters, still to little considered.
• How images are framed and received should be
  considered in more depth.
• In emerging industrial countries the image of
  nanoparticles as the new asbestos is counterposed
  by the nano-divide.

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To be continued