Beware the drive to scale technology.

Abstract

When it comes to technology, scalability-its capacity to be standardized and then distributed en masse and across contexts-is the ultimate goal. Scientists and engineers view scalability as the route to creating as much social benefit as possible. For the market, which bears primary responsibility for distributing technologies through capitalist societies, scaling produces efficiency, revenue generation, and growth. And for governments, promoting access to standardized, scalable technologies demonstrates how they are trying to serve all of their constituents. From enabling sewer systems to pharmaceuticals, this approach has benefited scores of people.