About the Book

Technologies and tech companies are accused of creating a myriad of problems. This book exposes them as mostly myths, falsehoods, and exaggerations.

Technology Fears and Scapegoats debunks 40 widespread myths about Big Tech, Big Data, AI, privacy, trust, polarization, automation, and similar fears, while exposing the scapegoating behind them. Authors Robert D. Atkinson and David Moschella provide a balanced analysis of technology’s impact on society and conclude it is overwhelmingly positive. The book serves as a clarion call for tech insiders, policymakers, and the general public to restore the West’s faith in technological progress.

Details

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (May 7, 2024)
• Title: Technology Fears and Scapegoats: 40 Myths about Privacy, Jobs, AI, and Today’s Innovation Economy
• Authors: Robert D. Atkinson and David Moschella
• ISBN-10: 3031523482
• ISBN-13: 978-3031523489

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Review copies are available to book reviewers and journalists intending to write about the book.

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Praise

“To build a better future, we have to believe in a better future. This means reversing today’s anti-tech mindset and restoring America’s faith in scientific advancement. This book does both.”

— Marc Andreessen, Founder of Netscape and Co-founder of Andreessen‑Horowitz

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“Atkinson and Moschella deliver a much-needed reminder that technology, data and innovation can be critical ingredients for solving society’s biggest problems—from accelerating a clean energy revolution, delivering a more equitable healthcare system, to a more open and dynamic economy that rewards entrepreneurship.”

— Aneesh Chopra, President of CareJourney, former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, and author of Innovative State

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“Debates over AI and digital media swing between utopian (technology will cure everything!) and dystopian (too many uncontrollable harms!). Luckily, this insightful new book helps experts and the public alike find the research-based middle ground beyond the hype at both extremes: how to embrace the opportunities while reducing the hazards.”

— Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and author of Think Outside the Building

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“This is an excellent collection of essays on U.S. technology actions, policies, and proposals. I strongly endorse this book. It is ideal for wide audiences, and I believe universities and high schools will greatly benefit from the chapters included.”

— Albert N. Link, Virginia Batte Phillips Distinguished Professor of Economics at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Series Editor of Palgrave Advances in the Economics of Innovation and Technology, and coauthor of Innovative Activity in Minority-Owned and Women‑Owned Business

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“It’s odd that we need a book defending technology and debunking today’s many myths. Odd because so much good comes from advances in science and technology. But there are so many complaints about tech these days that debunk we must, and Rob and David do it very well.”

— Bob Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet and Winner of the 2022 Turing Award

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“Technological progress is our best hope for a future of peace and prosperity, especially in changing the trajectory of climate change. Fortunately, there are a wide array of technologies that can help people achieve those hopes. Unfortunately, there are also a large number of myths that diminish public support for those technologies. Atkinson and Moschella take these myths head on. Technology Fears and Scapegoats is a profound antidote to pessimism about the future and opens the door to a brighter day.”

— Peter Schwartz, Chief Future Officer at Salesforce and author of The Art of the Long View

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“Atkinson and Moschella have written an important book on something that should matter to every American: success and innovation in our tech industry. They tackle hard questions head on and provide deep insight.”

— Dan Scheinman, Technology Executive, Investor, and Advisor

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“Throughout history, emerging technologies have been blamed for societal ills. Recently, we’ve seen the shift from Techlash around social media to hysteria over ‘human extinction from AI.’ Making sweeping negative generalizations based on inconclusive evidence is easy. Adding scary media narratives on top of it is even easier. The hard task is debunking them. Technology Fears and Scapegoats does an excellent job of battling well-known misconceptions. It’s, therefore, a must-read for policymakers.”

— Nirit Weiss-Blatt, author of The Techlash and Tech Crisis Communication

Press

Articles

• David Moschella, “Alphabet Case Echoes 50 Years of Antitrust Overreach,” Legal Dive, November 6, 2024.
• Dave Vellante, “Six Technology Myths and the Big Tech-lash,” siliconANGLE, September 21, 2024: A Breaking Analysis interview with David Moschella about Technology Fears and Scapegoats.
• David Moschella, “Don’t Blame Technology for Misinformation, Polarization, and Electoral Distrust,” RealClearPolicy, July 1, 2024.
• Robert D. Atkinson, “Korea Should Not Import the West’s ‘Techlash’,” The Korea Times, May 31, 2024.

Podcasts

Rob Atkinson and David Moschella appeared on the Technically Human Podcast with host Deb Doing to discuss their book. The episode, titled “Agree to Disagree: Are We Living in an Age of Techno-Pessimism?” aired on September 20, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on TechSurge: The Deep Tech Podcast to discuss whether AI will take people’s jobs, technology is eroding privacy, and the pace of technology advancement is too fast. The episode, titled “Busting Technology Myths: AI, Jobs, Politics, and Privacy,” aired on September 18, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester to address the widespread myths and misconceptions surrounding modern technologies and their impact on society. The episode, “The One With the Emerging Technology Myth Debunker,” aired on August 9, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on the Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s podcast Silicon Valley Vibes to discuss the new book. The episode, “Rob Atkinson on Technology and Innovation Myths,” aired on August 7, 2024:

Moschella appeared on Health Stealth Radio with host Frank Cutitta for a lively “fireside spat” about digital health transformation. The episode, “Technology Fears and Scapegoats in Digital Health,” aired on August 3, 2024:

Moschella appeared on The Wealthability Show with Tom Wheelwright to discuss how businesses can adapt to AI. The episode, “A Positive Spin on AI,” aired on August 1, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on Embracing Digital Transformation to discuss government technology policy with host Darren Pulsipher, chief solution architect for public sector at Intel. The episode, “Busting Roadblocks to Technology Policy,” aired on July 4, 2024:

Moschella appeared on The China Desk with Steve Yates to discuss the historically unique challenge China poses to the United States and the West as the world’s largest market, the world’s largest supplier, America’s fiercest competitor in many industries, and a geopolitical and military rival—themes that pervade Technology Fears and Scapegoats. This episode aired on July 2, 2024:

Atkinson and Moschella appeared on Explain to Shane with AEI’s Shane Tews to discuss Technology Fears and Scapegoats. The episode, “Busting Tech Myths,” aired on June 27, 2024:

Moschella appeared on the Everyday AI podcast with Jordan Wilson to discuss misinformation about artificial intelligence and how to set the record straight, push fear-mongering aside, and ethically put AI to good use. The episode, “Big Tech’s Critics Have Gotten a Lot Wrong on AI,” aired on June 6, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on the Foundation for American Innovation’s podcast The Dynamist with former FCC policy advisor Evan Swarztrauber to discuss myths about social media and democracy, small businesses and innovation, corporate profits, and laissez-faire capitalism. The episode, “Is America’s ‘Free Market’ a Myth?,” aired on June 4, 2024:

Atkinson and Moschella appeared on The Bill Walton Show to discuss their book. The episode, “Is Technology a Force for Good or Evil?” aired on May 29, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on Elevate, the podcast of the Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS), to the origins of negative opinions of the pharmaceutical industry, and whether a for-profit model can support both innovation and the society’s best interests. The episode, “The Origins and Consequences of Pharmaceutical Industry Myths,” aired on May 28, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on the Tech Policy Podcast to discuss the book with TechFreedom’s Corbin Barthold. The episode, “Tech Facts and Fallacies,” aired on May 20, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on the DSR Network’s Siliconsciousness podcast with David Rothkopf to discuss widespread misconceptions about AI and its potential impacts on all corners of society. The episode, “AI Fears, Scapegoats, and Myths,” aired on May 7, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on the Inglorious Globastards podcast to discuss the threat China poses to Western economies, and what Western governments and corporations should do in response. The episode, “China’s Challenge Must Be Countered,” aired on April 23, 2024:

Atkinson appeared on the TechSurge: The Deep Tech Podcast to share his insights on innovation economics, the role of China in the global innovation race, and the critical role of entrepreneurs. The episode, “Podcast: Busting Technology Myths: AI, Jobs, Politics, & Privacy,” aired on September 18, 2024:

Other Appearances

• Atkinson and Moschella appeared on a “WITSA Viewpoint” webinar with Dr. Michael R. Nelson of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The event, “Debunking Tech Myths about Privacy, Jobs, AI, and Today’s Innovation Economy,” took place on May 20, 2024.