Santa Clara University

Technology and Us - A Vision for the Future

Conference Schedule
April 26, 2001
8:30 am - 7:30 pm
Santa Clara University

Conference Video tapes of each of the sessions are now available. They are priced at $19.00 per session or $50.00 for the 6 session set. You may also wish to view these as one of our webcasts. 

Please contact us at sts@scu.edu for details.

Conference Moderator:

A series of Keynote Dialogs will go beyond the headlines, hype, and hubris to probe multiple aspects of the Internet’s impact on individuals, organizations, and the ways we relate and work together. Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Haynes Johnson will moderate the Dialogs, ensuring lively discussions among the day’s 18 outstanding speakers and encouraging thoughtful audience participation.

Haynes Johnson

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, and television commentator

Introductory Dialog: Setting the Stage for the Day-Long Discussion
Through the Looking Glass: Is Silicon Valley a window into the future of a changing world?

Paul Locatelli, S.J., President of Santa Clara University will establish a context for the day’s proceedings, along with Regis McKenna, the Chair of the Center’s Advisory Board, and Jim Morgan, who serves on the Advisory Board, and as CEO of Applied Materials, Inc., the Center’s founding sponsor. Together they will set the stage for an in-depth examination of complex issues from a multitude of viewpoints.

Keynote Dialog: Social Dimensions of a Networked World
Will the Internet promote productivity and fulfillment or result in a more volatile and ruthless world?

As our world becomes increasingly connected through myriad networks, the effects of this phenomenon are reaching every aspect of our existence. New technology has given us the ability to transform the way we communicate, learn, work, and play.

Faculty Introduction: Ross A. Miller, Associate Professor of Political Science

Manuel Castells has studied the evolution of the Internet, which he considers one of the dominant organizing principles of the new age. William Davidow has considered the increased potential for “social tornadoes” that can be caused by rapid technological shifts that disrupt the natural evolution of society. Amy Bruckman brings a third view based on her research on virtual communities and believes that people are moving from being recipients of information to creators.

Keynote Dialog: Co-evolving Social Systems with Escalating Technological Change

How can individuals and organizations maintain a sense of control amidst the ever-accelerating pace of the information technology revolution?

Although technological innovation and social transformations are inexorably linked, elements within the systems are developing at different rates. To further complicate the issue, there are stark distinctions between those who are keeping pace and those who are being marginalized.

Faculty Introduction: Ruth E. Davis, Professor of Computer Engineering

Douglas Engelbart, who invented the mouse, brings to this dialog his thirty-year track record in predicting, designing, and implementing the future of organizational computing. Anita Borg is working to shatter the “silicon ceiling” and include more women and minorities before the technological divide becomes too vast to forge. William Mitchell shares not only the architect’s perspective on the direct relationship between information technology and urban space but also contributes his experience from MIT’s Media Lab.

Keynote Dialog: Technology and Identity
Is rapidly accelerating technology eroding our sense of who we are?

The Internet allows people to communicate without the usual cues to personal identity. Both the speed of transactions and the presumption of online anonymity can affect how we perceive others and how we in turn are perceived.

Faculty Introduction: Barbara Molony, Professor of History

David Halberstam and John Staudenmaier, S.J., bring the perspectives of journalism and history to this important issue. Halberstam, who helped define the latter part of the 20th Century through his journalistic work, is concerned about the impact of technology on our sense of humanity. As an eminent technology historian, Staudenmaier interprets personal and communal behavior with an eye to the importance of core technologies in shaping behavior. While Mary Furlong, has spent her career connecting people to technology, and has a special of view of its potential and impact for people over 50.

Keynote Dialog: The Digital Economy
What is meant by the “New Economy,” and what differentiates it from previous economies?

In the New Economy, knowledge and information have become the sources of productivity and competitiveness. This new form of capital is founded in a global economy that is organized by networked structures. This Dialog will examine how emerging technologies continue to redefine markets, as well as the nature of work and organizations.

Faculty Introduction: Cary Y. Yang, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of the Microelectronics Laboratory

John Seely Brown is deeply involved in evolving corporate strategy and the expanding role of pioneering research. John Morgridge took Cisco public in 1990 and grew the company from $5 million in sales to more than $1 billion. And Richard DeMillo is part of the effort at HP of building the next generation of Internet technologies and e-services.

Keynote Dialog: The Internet and Public Policy
What are the unresolved public policy challenges in our networked world?

Public policy questions have exploded, as people weigh in on all sides of issues such as how markets can stay open to innovation in the presence of “winner take all” technologies. Along with careful consideration of how technology might contribute to equality and the economic well-being of us all, policy issues are also involved with the protection of privacy and intellectual property.

Faculty Introduction: Allen S. Hammond, Professor of Law

Andrew Shapiro believes there are new policy challenges in the networked age due to shifting power and that there is a role for careful regulation and public accountability to preserve fundamental rights. Ira Magaziner believes that individual self-interested actions will contribute to general prosperity on the Intenet and that government intervention can only impede growth and progress. While Tim Bresnahan is interested in the how the economic process affects the growth and value of technology.

Conference registration includes refreshments, lunch, an ecumenical service, and reception following the day’s proceedings.

For any additional information:

Call (408) 551-6027, or email sts@scu.edu

A companion conference "THE FUTURE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" was held by the Law school on Friday April 27, 2001. See http://www.scu.edu/news/releases/release.cfm?month=0401&story=ip for details.