Popularization of Science and Technology: the limits of the technical approach in the case of nanotechnologies

Abstract

Popularization of Science and Technology (S & T) represents a form of communication intended to engage non-experts in scientific-technological subjects. If we recognize that S & T are not produced in the vacuum -but that arise in a specific social context and also influence their social environment- social aspects of S & T should be a key element for popularization. But usually this is not the case; there is a big difference between the technical approach and the social approach to the analysis of S & T. The vast majority of popularization programs reflects a purely technical approach and therefore do not cover many of the concerns and expectations of organized sectors of civil society. After a theoretical presentation, this paper will illustrate the argument with the example of the popularization of nanotechnologies.