Urges scientists (described as by nature reductionists) to pay attention to broader environmental health issues revealed in popular literature. Silent Spring (Carson, 1962) cited as an example.
Author asks whether new communications technologies can solve global development problems, or are they just a new way to make old mistakes? Examines the assumption that if you move data around instead of physical objects, then you can reduce pollution and energy use significantly. For example, analyses need to include environmental costs of the computers and networks themselves.
