Archive for the 'OTA on the net' Category

A few more blogs have discussed the OTA since our launch Wednesday…

From The Great Beyond, a blog hosted by Nature:

“Washington is full of science-policy wonks who bemoan the loss of the Office of Technology Assessment, which between 1972 and 1995 was the go-to place for smart independent advice for policymakers on science and technology topics. Fortunately, OTA junkies now have an online fix for all their needs.”

From Rhetoric and Rockets:

“Before OTA is reborn I would want to know the following:

• How, exactly, would a revived OTA would function?
• How big would it be?
• Who would participate?
• More importantly (from my semi-mistrustful point of view) who DECIDES who gets to participate?
• What would the new OTA charter look like?
• What steps would be taken to prevent the real or perceived irrelevance of the agency?
• What provisions will be made to ensure that OTA remains a “lean and mean,” think tank type of organization?
• In short, what will OTA supporters do to assure budget hawks that the agency deserves to be reborn when there is already a call to decrease the deficit, balance the budget, and eliminate a great deal of waste elsewhere in the federal government?”

Exploring Interdisciplinarity:

“The Agency, which we as staffers labeled “Congress’ Own Think Tank,” had become official in 1972, and was tasked with taking a long-term look at the implications of technology on all aspects of society. By most accounts, we did a phenomenal job.”