CONTENTS SPRING 2012

03 Editorial Erlend Osland Simensen

04 The Controversy on Anders Behring Breivik’s Mental Health Sissel Myklebust

08 Wine will Save the World Economy! Christian Guttormsen

10 Going Green - Why Sometimes, Beauty is Only Skin Deep Chris King

13 Networking - A Necessary Evil? - An InterESST Event Siren E. F. Hole

14 Academic Spring? The Elsevier Boycott Ruben Soler

16 The Nuclear Renaissance Anders Rindal

17 Cured and Disease Free? Katrina Davis

20 When to Stop Saving a Life? Anina Bjørnhaug

23 The Junk Food Generation Ane Hagtvedt

26 Five Blades to Rule them All? Andreas Dopplemayr

29 Confessions of a Lecturer Kristin Asdal

30 The New Munch Museum in Oslo - Lamda ‘screams’ back Jeta L. Andreassen

32 Travelogue: Maastricht Edith F. Akerø and Espen Karlsen

34 3 at TIK Marianne Austheim Teknovatøren is a semi-scientific magazine published by the master students at the Centre for Technol- ogy, Innovation and Culture, Uni- versity of Oslo. Teknovatøren seeks to illuminate issues on technologi- cal development, innovation and knowledge production.

EDITORIAL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS The word controversy originates from the Latin word “controversia”, whereas “contra” can be trans- Chairman: Stefan Jøines lated as against, and “vertere” (or versus) to turn. Executive Editor: Consequently is the mythological meaning of con- Erlend Osland Simensen troversy “to turn against”. For those of us that are Head of Finance: Simen Enger interested in what happens when technology and Head of Marketing & Innovation: society meet, controversies often get significant Marianne Austheim attention. The thing about controversies is that they Art Director: Katrina Davis show clearly the dynamic interactions between dif- Webmaster: Andreas Doppelmayr ferent social groups. It displays that scientific facts, cannot be directly transformed to technical solutions CONTRIBUTORS in society. The social and technological uncertainties of controversies lead to a situation where a dispute Layout: Katrina Davis no longer can be resolved on the sole basis of sci- Graphics Consultants: Sara Øiestad, entific results. Vidar Bakkeli, Huyen Tran Nguyen Ho Illustrations: Veronika Hansen At a first glance it could probably be hard to Cover Illustration: Ulrikke Nordseth identify a recurring theme in the articles in this Logo Design: Ulrikke Nordseth issue of Teknovatøren, but the first part of this edi- torial and the cover should provide the reader with some clues. This issue goes into the broad term of Published May 2012, 1000 copies. controversies, and there is a wide span between the different subjects. The objective is to show the diver- Print: Allkopi sity of science and innovation studies, as well as how essential it is to analyze controversies in society. Our partner and sponsor: Grønt Punkt Norge In Norway, right now, this is pertinent. www.grontpunkt.no

Teknovatøren is published twice a year with funding from Grønt Punkt, the TIK-Centre and the Student Welfare Organization in Oslo.

Please visit our new website at

www.teknovatoren.no - Erlend Osland Simensen

3 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Sissel Myklebust Professor, TIK UiO [email protected]

The Controversy on Anders Behring Breivik’s Mental Health

The question of jail or forced have contributed to more reli- in court, the diagnosis means that psychiatric care for Anders able and reflexive points of view he cannot be sentenced to prison Behring Breivik has created among the experts, and in the but will be detained in psychiat- disturbance in the Norwegian public discussion. The last point ric care. This was difficult for the judicial system in a way that is of special importance since one public to accept. “I am so angry I has brought some typical TIK- aim of studying public intervention could weep,” wrote one woman on issues in the forefront. in science-based controversies is a Facebook site. ”A man who can to build a more reliable science plan his misdeed in such detail The Controversy on Anders anchored in a more explicit nor- and carry it out in cold blood is Behring Breivik’s Delusions mative and reflexive discourse. answerable for what he has done.” What should the role of scien- Under normal circumstances, tific expertise in court be? Should Conflicting Expertise the 243 pages expert report filled the court be ruled by its own laws Following his arrest on 22 July with technicalities and compli- or should it be ruled by scientific 2011, Breivik underwent exami- cated vocabulary would not have expertise? Three of the most rel- nation by two court-appointed been questioned by the public. evant processes for us to study in forensic psychiatrists who In this case, however, the report this context are the following: 1) diagnosed him with paranoid was leaked to the media and well how conflicting views have con- schizophrenia. According to the informed journalists started to tributed to the opening of the report he was in a psychotic state question not only the conclusion discussion on the role of forensic during the attacks and also during and the conduct of the two experts expertise in the judicial system, the 13 interviews the two experts but even the scientific knowledge 2) how different groups of actors held with him. Mental health dec- and methodology it was based on. inside and outside the psychiatric larations made by court-appointed After a while most of the report, profession have contributed with psychiatrist are routinely accepted withholding minor personal details important knowledge to under- by the judiciary, and this report was known to the public. What fol- mine the scientific results from was approved by the Norwegian lowed was that actors inside and the first court-appointed experts, Board of Forensic Medicine with outside the psychiatrist discipline and 3) how these processes may no significant remarks. If upheld intervened in the debate with the

4 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Illustration: Veronika Hansen

result that the legal system and the defense attorney, Geir Lippestad, district court in Oslo less than a use of expertise which it is based declared their agreement with the week before the trial, contradicted on, was put under tremendous report, many observers no lon- the first. It concluded that Breivik pressure. ger believe the situation could was not psychotic when he car- change. However, after much ried out the attacks or afterwards, Public Pressure public pressure, the Oslo district and that he was not suffering from Despite the fiercely articulated court gave up its resistance and paranoid schizophrenia. The new critic of the report, prosecutor ordered a second expert panel to report gives the judges grounds to Svein Holden concluded in a letter evaluate Breivik’s mental condi- sentence him to prison, but before to the court that he would not seek tion and to deliver a report before that, the court must determine another evaluation. When public the trial started on April 16.The whether he was sane or psychotic prosecutor as well as Breivik’s second report, submitted to the at the time, based on two contra-

5 Teknovatøren 3/2012 “One of the weakest points in the first report was the lack of documentation on Breivik’s “bizarre delusions” in a clinical sense”

dicting reports and four expert became of special importance. the first report was the lack of doc- witnesses. When the report for instance umentation on Breivik’s “bizarre argues for the diagnosis by char- delusions” in a clinical sense. New Actors - acterizing many of the concepts Many of the thoughts described Aternative Knowledge in his Manifesto as “neologism” as “bizarre delusions” did not ful- Many mental health experts (a criteria for the diagnosis) which fill the criteria according to other expressed surprise that Breivik are made-up words that typically psychiatric experts because was found to be paranoid schizo- have only meaning to the individ- even if they were strange, they phrenic without any evidence of ual who uses them, people with were fully possible. This is also hallucinations or other uncon- online activity experience argued the point which has the closest trolled impulses. During a few that these words were in frequent connection to Breivik’s political weeks, the Norwegian popula- use. tion was educated in symptoms It was important that the decla- for this diagnosis. Even techni- ration by the first court-appointed calities like the criteria in ICD-10 psychiatrists was challenged and DSM IV, and the working of by colleagues within the disci- the GAF score became household pline and also by other mental knowledge. With hallucinations health experts like psychologists. lacking, the documentation of In addition, victims, and law- delusions became most impor- yers representing the victims, tant and words like “bizarre” and reported that Breivik had acted “grandiose” crept into the Nor- in a very controlled and strate- wegian language. However, the gic manner on the crime scene. lack of diagnostic precision and However, comments from peo- cultural contextualization of the ple with knowledge on Breivik’s concept “delusion” became obvi- online activities and his politi- ous and the case suggests strong cal universe seem to have been limits to psychiatry in dealing with of special importance in the political crime. process of opening the contro- According to one definition versy because they contributed “a delusion” is a belief held with with important information that strong conviction despite supe- was unknown to the first court- rior evidence to the contrary, and appointed psychiatrists. Journalist that this conviction is so fixed that and others contributed in news- it is pathological (the result of an papers and on the Internet with illness or illness process). As experience and knowledge on pathological, it is distinct from a different topics with relevance for belief based on false or incom- the political universe and for the plete information, dogma, poor technical preparation of the crim- memory, illusion, or other effects inal act. of perception. How to make this important distinction? In this case, Quick Learning - the critic of the report’s failure to More Reflexive Points of View address Breivik’s online activity One of the weakest points in

1st Psychiatric Report

6 Teknovatøren 3/2012 universe. Was the claim that we 2nd Report not Accepted to present himself as a rational live in a condition of civil war, or At the end of the 6th day of the political thinker and leader, and the role he assigned for himself trial, the court leader read before not to be declared insane. On his in world-history, exalted enough the court the statement from The testimony which took the first six to fulfill the requirements of Norwegian Board of Forensic days of the trial, he confessed the “delusion” in a clinical sense? Medicine on the second psychiat- crimes and described his killing Were there other signs of para- ric report. Surprisingly, this report of 77 people as a “sophisticated noia that had nothing to do with which has been much praised in political act”. With the guilt estab- politics? The first report con- media, was not accepted without lished, the most important issue is firmed that this was the case clarifications and additional infor- how to handle the still open con- while the second report denied it. mation from the responsible two troversy on his mental health. As The second expert report experts. Probably, this is another often underlined by journalists is drawing on insight from the example of quick learning in this and expert-commentators follow- public discussion to an extent case. After the first report had ing the trial, this is the reason why the prosecutors are focusing so heavily on questions concerning “The second expert report is drawing on insight Breivik’s thoughts and feelings when he made his decisions from the public discussion to an extent which to murder on the crime scenes makes this sad case to an interesting example of and in the planning. One typical example was when Breivik told a scientific based controversy” the court about his first killing at the youth camp that “I have never experienced anything so grue- which makes this sad case to an passed without critical remarks, some, but it was necessary”. interesting example of a scien- The Board was described in the To gain insight into his thoughts tific based controversy. While the press as a typical rubber stamp and feelings connected to this first report has the character of institution. At the same time one claim, the prosecutors asked in doing “in-talk” to the profession, of the critical point from some many different ways about why the second report is doing “out- members of The Board was that he felt it neccessary. The rea- talk” to the public, in general but the second appointed experts son for this is to shed light on also on more technical matters. had not considered to what extent all aspects that can explain his From this we can conclude that Breivik had changed his behavior actions to the court. In this context one result of this terrible and as result of a deliberate strategy, the controversy on the character very sad story have been a quick based on his reading of the first of his “delusions” are of uttermost learning-process with the result report. This is particularly inter- importance. of better informed and more esting in our context of analyzing open minded experts, and a more this as a knowledge-producing knowledge based public discus- controversy., sion on the role of expertise in the After showing up in court, Norwegian court-system. There Breivik has been described by are also signals from the Ministry many commentators as a quick of Justice that the role of forensic learner who is incorporating psychiatrists in court cases will media reactions from one day be re-examined. to the other. His main concern is

7 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Wine will Save the World Economy! Christian Guttormsen Photos: Wikimedia Commons TIK MA Student [email protected]

Politicians are investing lots of technology in the respective Innovation in such industries can of money into the high-tech industry. The content of technology rarely be measured through R&D sector, praising it as the is measured as the ratio between at all, as this is not their internal economy's lord and saviour. the expenditure on research and base of knowledge and learning. I would rather see them calm development (R&D) and produc- down, have a glass of high- tion output. So if your company's The Case of the Bordeaux Wine end Bordeaux and re-evalu- ratio is above 5 per cent, you're Industry ate their allocations. high-tech. The high-end wine industry As we all know, most people of Bordeaux has maintained the During the last decades, poli- like things that are measurable. position as a market leader in fine ticians have been using the term It gives us a sense of calmness, wines for the past 400 years. The knowledge economy. I don't really and if we screw up we can always basics of their production are to know what it means, but it is most blame it on the numbers: "Shit! process grapes into wine. Pretty commonly used to describe an This is so unlikely!" – nevertheless straight forward really. They don't economy driven by knowledge it happened. Politicians love hang- engage in much research, and production along with the devel- ing on to what statistics they have, certainly don't produce sophis- opment of new technology. The and therefore uncritically use the ticated technology! But that's the logic goes: if we stimulate knowl- OECD classification as an argu- point – they don't have to. edge and technology production ment to allocate their country's The industry is supported by we get innovation, innovation resources in high-tech indus- a strong and complex regional results in increased competitive- tries. network of actors – a cluster – ness, which results in a stronger This is a less fortunate trend. where the region's accumulated economy and a growing economy The fact is that there is sub- knowledge is structured and keeps us in office. The thought isn't stantial innovation going on in made available for the industry really that dumb, but they missed low-tech industries that tends to through coordinating institutions, out on a few crucial points. be neglected. Industries have people and various forms of col- In the 80s the OECD classi- managed to stay competitive for laboration. The government has fied industries as low, medium or hundreds of years without engag- laid down institutional infrastruc- high-tech, based on the content ing in substantial R&D activities. ture that today is very developed.

8 Teknovatøren 3/2012 “The suppliers of high-tech equipment This helps the industry to access winemaking are utterly dependent on innovative all knowledge in the region – also equipment and low-tech industries, like Bordeaux, to those knowledge bases originat- expert feed- ing from outside the industry. backs from the buy their products.” The producers are frequent users of this purchasers of advanced technol- equipment, the suppliers would ogy that helps them make wine in not be able to be competitive in the best possible way. Some use their own line of business. and R&D. External knowledge GPS sensors to measure water bases can also result in new pro- content in the soil. Others fly over Research Clusters cesses and new developments their vineyards with choppers, tak- Perhaps more important, There internally due to regional struc- ing infra-red pictures of the vines, is a large research cluster in Bor- tures, and can be the key to a thus determining the maturity of deaux, exclusively doing dynamic industry. the grapes. Not to mention the research for the wine industry. winemaking equipment, which This cluster gathers and distrib Let´s Go Get Drunk has become very advanced in utes research efforts from The We see that subsidies to agri- terms of pressing and sorting, University of Bordeaux, business culture have been falling across resulting in higher quality grapes schools, agricultural Europe. Gross farm receipts are and better extraction of juices institutions and pri- down from 35 per cent to 20 per and tannins. If we regard knowl- vate research cent over the last 15 years. An edge as a resource, there is no institutions. The all-time low since the OECD doubt that this is embedded in cluster also has began measuring this in 1986. such equipment that is now strong connections But why then have up-and-com- made available for the wine- with universities all ing countries like Brazil and China maker. Also, the suppliers of over the wine world, increased their subsidies from 6 high-tech equipment are which enables them to to 17 per cent in the same time utterly dependent on deliver the best possi- span? Even China, which is often innovative low-tech ind- ble knowledge on wine associated with sophisticated ustries, like Bor- to the estates of Bor- technology production, does deaux, to buy deaux. This knowledge intelligently not marginalise the their prod- is usually implemented low-tech sector. Low and medium ucts. Without at the states by expe- tech sector typically account buyers of rienced workers or by for 60 per cent of employees in consultants, most of manufacturing and 97 per cent whom have an oenolog- of countries economies' value- ical background, and all added. In addition to this, low and operate extensively in the medium tech industries are vital Bordeaux region. for the high-tech sector, as high- The intensity of co-oper- tech companies need somebody ation between the research to sell their products to, products institutions, producers, suppli- that the low-tech sector are more ers and merchants in Bordeaux than happy to buy. is very high. Through the clus- Politicians across the world; ter's internal openness, the use some of the money that is industry has a learning rate and marked for biotech to buy a bot- a level of competitiveness that is tle Château Mouton Rothschild, comparable with any high-tech open it a late summer's night, industry. Not all innovative activ- and maybe, just maybe, it will all ities can be measured in patents become clearer.

9 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Chris King Mechanical Engineer, based in Australia

Going Green Why Sometimes, Beauty is Only Skin Deep

Depending on which books The Image of Going Green you read and TV shows you Many famous and wealthy “Gisele’s idea of a healthy watch, the world is in fact people are making meaningful sustainable future is a warming. In addition, the contributions to the environment. 2 majority of science suggests However, many are also des- 2000m supermansion” that this warming is due to perately trying to appear to be the presence of man-gen- making meaningful contributions secure a healthy future for the next erated greenhouse gases, to the environment. Take leading generation, wherever they live in which reduce the amount of climate change scientist Gisele the world.” incoming solar radiation that Bundchen, who in her part time is Although it is unknown exactly is allowed to leave the earth’s also a fashion model. Now, Gisele what type of houses the peo- atmosphere via re-radiation purports to be an environmental ple which Gisele is referring to from the earth’s surface and activist, and was recently made live in, Gisele’s idea of a healthy convection, in simple terms. a United Nations Environment sustainable future is a 2000m2 Program Goodwill Ambassador. supermansion with an elevator. Clearly, the heat transfer As Gisele herself puts it: “I have The size of the house means that mechanisms and overall science been working on environmental it is definitely “action on a global is much more complex than the issues for a long time and agreed scale”. The building could house above, but for many people, the to become a Goodwill Ambas- entire countries’ populations, such above paragraph is more than sador to be part of a global and is its sprawling size. Now, many enough. Furthermore, for many far-reaching organization. Now it’s building design (ESD) engineers people, the above paragraph about action on a global scale to would contend that a house of this simply isn’t that relevant. The rea- son is quite simple: Why would an image-conscious person care about the intricacies of invisible chemistry, when there are many other- much more visible - ways to show one’s allegiance to the environment? Or is that really an allegiance to the environment? Or is it an allegiance to the image of being green?

10 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Gisele’s Mansion in LA

size could never truly be green, as entire cooling and heating energy they can use close to 100 times the it breaks almost all green design bill for the year. What’s more, even cooling/heating energy in a Pas- rules. if Gisele’s Mansion was designed sivHaus? Gisele, however, contends that to Passivhaus standard, it would it’s green because “it has solar be projected to use 30,000kWh True Passive Design vs. panels and rainwater recycling”. per year in heating and cooling “Bolt On” Systems Presumably, most of the electric- energy alone. However, it clearly If we continue to look at the ity generated by the solar panels isn’t designed to this standard so building sector as an example of would need to be used to fuel the 4 the house can be assumed to use hypocritical attempts at sustain- storey lift which has been installed. around 300,000 kWh per year in ability, we can note the following: But is the house still green? To put cooling/heating alone. Buildings make up approximately Gisele’s green house to the test, Compare this figure with a 40% of world energy use1. Build- the energy consumption of an ele- modest 160m2 Passivhaus (enough ings are rated under green rating vator is calculated in the table (see for 4 people), which is projected systems such as LEED (USA), previous page). In addition, pro- use only 2400kWh. Hence, even BREEAM (UK) and Green Star jected heating and cooling energy with solar PV panels, the house (Australia). However, many of use of the house is calculated and is nowhere near “green” as any these ratings are given before the compared with the PassivHaus electricity generated would sim- building is even built. standard. The results appear to be ply be used to supplement the lift Companies who pay to attain contradictory to Gisele’s claim of and cooling systems, even before green building ratings are loath a Greenhouse: the rest of the mansion’s massive to attain operational ratings, The table illustrates that a energy use is even considered. Gisele’s lift alone uses nearly as How can houses such as this man- 1 http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/ much energy as a Passivhaus’ sion be considered green, when buildings/buildings_en.htm

11 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Photo: Wikimedia Commons

because they invariably are rarely ing system. These systems, while is required, whereby solar cells, as flattering. Currently, the men- beneficial in some ways, do not rainwater harvesting systems and tality is more about image than signify what is required from the hybrid cars are accompanied by true behavioural change: 5 Star consumer in order to qualify as associated behavioural changes. ‘design” ratings are splashed all being truly sustainable. It is very easy (particularly when over company websites and cor- True sustainability requires one is extremely wealthy) to just porate social responsibility is behavioural change, rather than buy expensive systems such as spruiked. Meanwhile, employees simply employing ‘visible’ sus- PV cells, and then pretend that you leave computers on and lights and tainability trophies such as solar are an environmental activist. This left on all night. Cooling systems panels, hybrid vehicles, and UN requires little action on the con- and lifts run constantly. ambassadorial titles. It is point- sumer’s part, as they are simply less to own a hybrid car if your relying on the systems to do all the The Future driving style is such that you use work. The analysis is not intended more fuel than a regular driver, in Building a 2000m2 mansion to lambast Gisele; it is simply the same way that it is pointless does not qualify as a behavioural intended to highlight a miscon- in attempting to ‘green’ a build- change, and hence can never be ception about sustainability. Being ing if you are going to leave lights classified as being a truly environ- ‘green’ is not simply a matter of and computers on, employ mas- mental sustainability; irrespective “bolt-on” solutions, such as solar sive cooling systems that run 24 of how ‘green’ it appears. panels and a rainwater harvest- hours a day. A holistic approach

12 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Siren E. F Hole ESST MA Student [email protected] Networking - A Necessary Evil?

An InterESST Event

While some tend to liken networking to scenar- agreement the discussion was characterised by cer- ios found in The Sopranos or The Godfather, others tain nuances. Staude’s stance echoed a well-known are relentless in their praising of both business and idea, where the act of networking involves increas- personal networking. In reality, establishing contacts ing your own market value. Through branding and and promoting oneself should perhaps be placed promoting yourself, particularly in social media, somewhere in-between. As students we are often Staude held that network and career opportuni- reminded that there will come a time after gradua- ties will expand. While the common conception of tion, when it presumably isn’t our grades that decide networking involves approaching contacts to your our success. Rather, who we know might very well own advantage, our own ESST graduate, Ytreland, prove more important than our qualifications. Or is turned this upside down: successful networking also this but a common saying? To find out, InterESST involves asking what you might do for others. This Oslo organised the panel debate “Networking – a view resonated with Sørhaugs more academic take necessary evil?” on the matter. Highlighting the history of networks, Posed to four quite different actors – with an their bittersweet associations and connotations, audience consisting of students, scholars, and other Sørhaug also emphasised the fact that networking curious spectators – opposing views and voices relies on interdependency and reciprocity. Despite were expected. As chair of the debate, Magnus the commercial jargon evoked by ‘networking’, we Guldbrandsen (UiO) guided a smooth discus- were reminded that networks entail interpersonal sion between the four participants Tian Sørhaug relations not uncommon to those in our day-to-day (UiO), Bjørn Arild Wisth (Hartmark Consulting), lives. Cecilie Staude (BI Norwegian Business School), As to the importance of a ‘selling personality’, and Ingrid W. Ytreland (KPMG). Whether it was the Wisth indicated that promoting competencies and Norwegian reluctance to disagree or an indica- skills should measure up to the actual performance. tion that networking isn’t all that controversial, our Contacts can only get you so far: while the people speakers seemed to reach a consensus on the mat- you know may provide you with the first interview, ter: networks and networking are important but the quality of the work you actually do will decide not necessarily decisive. Yet despite this general the road ahead.

13 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Ruben Soler ESST MA Student [email protected]

Academic Spring? The Elsevier Boycott

Amsterdam based academic publishing giant Elsevier has found itself in a quandary this spring: How to deal with a boycott by thousands of academics who deem their business practices and political lobbying unethical and unfair?

Controversy Brews The boycott was ignited with a blog entry posted on January 21st 2012 by Cambridge University math Elsevier professor Timothy Gowers. He criticized the Dutch Founded in 1880, Elsevier now publishes approximately publisher for overcharging customers as well as forc- 250,000 academic articles a year, has 7000 employees ing libraries and institutions to buy «bundles» rather and claims to have 600,000 authors on its roster. than selected journals. This resulted in the creation Estimates show that in 2010, they made $1.6 billion for an of The Cost of Knowledge website where academ- operating profit margin of 36%. ics would begin adding their names to a public list of boycotters. As of April 18th, the list holds nearly 10,000 signatures of academics who pledge not to edit, peer-review or publish for Elsevier. In a blog ers in a statement of purpose to not only be a tactical post titled A message to the research community, choice, but because Elsevier has a history of lobby- Elsevier cite a variety of ways in which they feel they ing for restriction of distribution. In addition, Gowers have been misrepresented by the protesters, and describes how the publisher is charging the highest point to that the cost of downloading an article is price per page of some journals, despite these being about a fifth of what it was 10 years ago. This could outranked by cheaper ones published by others. be due to a number of reasons of course, not least of all that the infrastructure supporting digital distribu- The Cost of Distribution tion has evolved considerably in that 10 year span. When Elsevier and its likes haven't reduced As the controversy has broadened, not only Else- prices in accordance with the lowered cost of mod- vier, but the academic publishing industry as such ern typesetting practises and distribution, the general has come to face the same criticism. The points sentiment among members of the Cost of Knowledge made by the protesting academics are not new, but campaign is that that this cannot be justified. Some, have gained new traction with the popularity of the like Gowers, call for a total revamping of the aca- campaign. The reason for choosing Elsevier as the demic publishing industry, citing a paradigmatic shift main target of the campaign is explained by Gow- in the works.

14 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Illustration: Michael Eisen (an active participant in the Elsevier boycott)

“As of April 18th, the list holds nearly 10,000 signatures of academics who pledge not to edit, peer-review or publish for Elsevier”

Publicly Funded Research, Private Property? movement is that the publishing houses are work- Another concern over Elsevier and their professed ing to restrict accessibility in accordance to enhance mission to work for the accessibility of published profit margins. research is their support of the Research Work Act Going back to Elsevier's blog post directed at the bill which was laid dead in the US House of Rep- academic community, they write that “It is our sin- resentatives on January 27th 2012, only hours after cere wish to de-escalate from the constant cycle of Elsevier withdrew their support. The bill would have legislation and lobbying that has marked the schol- severely restricted accessibility to publicly funded arly communication landscape for many years[.]“ The research, and effectively reverted the National Insti- discrepancy between this statement and their active tute of Health's Public Access Policy. The question involvement in sponsoring the aforementioned bills of publicly accessible research has as a result been is something which hasn't gone unnoticed by the lifted to the fore, with open-access initiatives such as community they hope to address. With their with- the Public Library of Science gaining more recog- drawal of support for the RWA, the boycotters seem nition. Although Elsevier denies their discontinued to be making some headway. While it remains to be support of the bill is due to the widespread boy- seen in what way the academic publishing industry cott, this is exactly what many involved in the protest will change in light of this preliminary success for the believes to be the case. Something to be noted is protesters, the massive mobilization seen since the that Elsevier also supported the highly controver- end of January might point to some radical changes sial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act in the works. Some are now talking of an Academic (PIPA), two bills also aimed at restricting online shar- Spring, and with the boycott movement growing day ing of information. Put together with their support for by day and new initiatives being launched, the pub- the RWA bill, a widespread sentiment in the boycott lishing industry should take note.

15 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Anders Rindal TIK MA Student [email protected]

OPINIONS: consequences of Fukushima. Chernobyl was the result of a flawed reactor design, and there is considerable debate if some- one actually died as the result of The Nuclear the accident at Three Mile Island. All in all, there has been only been one nuclear accident with disas- trous consequences. Renaissance Modern nuclear reactors are much safer than the old ones. The graphite moderated Chernobyl design is a thing of the past, and the modern reactors are safe. The The problem of global warm- The only solution to this prob- new generation of reactors has ing has disappeared from lem is to let states learn that it is potential for even better safety. the political debate. The possible to cut carbon emissions Nuclear power is by most stan- reason for this is the current and accomplish three strategic- dards a very safe way to produce economic crisis which once goals at the same time: electricity.. again proves the economy Why is nuclear power so impor- as the supreme concern for - Decreased dependence on tant for reducing global warming politicians. foreign fossile fuels when other energy sources show - Prove that it is possible to potential? The reason is quite The emission of green house fight global warming and simple. The fight against global gases goes on at an ever increas- keep present consumption of warming needs to produce results, ing rate, and scientists are now electricity and the results must come fast. discussing how much the temper- - And that projects for reduc- There is a need for an immedi- ature will rise. ing global warming are not ate reduction of greenhouse gas The debates about cutting car- necessarily uncertain, in the emissions, and more importantly, bon emissions always end up in a sense that you give other states must learn that environmen- debate about cost and uncertainty. states strategic advantages if tal policy is not inherently harmful The most important obstacle is the you fail for their position in the struggle anarchic character of international for power and resources. Other relations. States will do whatever People fear nuclear power renewable energy sources such they think will benefit themselves more than any other energy as wind power show potential for (and hurt their opponents), and source. This is mostly due to the producing electricity on a large the international negations break accidents at Three Mile Island, scale, but nothing more. No state down for this particular reason. Chernobyl and now Fukushima. wants to risk their standing in the The consensus is that reduction of The problem is that nuclear power modern equivalent of “Game of greenhouse gases has potential to is safe in the sense that it causes Thrones” by gambling on uncer- be harmful for economic growth. a very low number of deaths each tain projects. If they succeed all The economy is the most impor- year compared to all other cred- other states can reap the benefits, tant factor for wielding power on ible energy sources. People fear if they fail, they alone will face the the international arena, and no radiation sickness, but they do not consequences. state wants to gamble with that fear coal fires and dams bursting. asset. The jury is still out about the

16 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Katrina Davis ESST MA Student [email protected]

Cured and Disease Free? Photo:Kieran Darcy

Would you be willing to take a test that indicates you may be at risk for developing 48 different diseases and conditions? When armed with the right information, can future ills be prevented?

We face many risks in our have a “ genetic responsibility”1 to ering and understanding your everyday lives. Amongst them, take an active role in your health. own DNA. Through engaging with is the concern of being “geneti- This is what 23andMe, Navigenics, other individuals in the 23andMe cally at risk”. Research has shown and deCode would like us to think. online community, participants that many illnesses and conditions Direct-to-consumer genetic tests also play an important role in have a basis in genetics. Genetic have been available from these enhancing DNA knowledge. experts claim they can indicate a companies since 2007. More than just having “fun” certain condition at the molecu- with genes, you can also take a lar level by identifying the genetic The Companies more active role in your health markers that cause it, and further- 23andMe is a California- and plan for the future. 23andMe more experts claim that through based company that offers a host allows you to find out if you stand diagnostic testing they can iden- of services connecting you to the at risk for developing 44 inherited tify a person who is genetically “genetic world”. Their mission conditions, and with that you can susceptible to a certain disease is to be the world’s most trusted undertake the necessary precau- even before that person shows any source of personal genetic infor- tions. Preventing what your genes visible signs or symptoms . If you mation. 23andMe’s focus is on how have already determined may be know your genetic risks, you also much fun you can have discov- a challenge, but they would like you to think that it’s worth a try. 1 . Rose, Nikolas 2007

17 Teknovatøren 3/2012 vices, and an increase in compa- nies that offers such tests. The development Reaching and application Consumers of these tech- The marketing of these nologies have been tests have taken on a variety of subject to numerous criticisms innovative dimensions. First of and concerns, and questions Navigenics, also all, the testing results and clients’ have been raised both of the test- a California based company fol- interactions with the testing com- ing process and the information lows a similar approach”. They pany are done primarily through that can be revealed. However emphasize that “you can person- the internet. This fosters a relation- the way they are marketed turns alize your health strategies with ship between the company and the attention away from genetic powerful genetic insights”. They the client, as well as amongst cli- risks and the problematic informa- offer screening for 29 conditions ents in the online communities. tio that these tests can reveal and and test against adverse reactions Furthermore, 23andMe positioned rather turns it into a socail activ- to 12 common prescription medi- cations. Iceland-based deCode Genet- ics offers a comprehensive screen “ Critics question the validity of the information of 48 different conditions (deCo- gleamed from these tests and the effects that they deMe). They also offer six other specialized screens. These com- may have on individuals” panies allow for and create novel ways of understanding medical information and the body at risk. their product at New York Fashion ity, far removed from the medical Week (2008) where guests coudl sphere How does it work? submit saliva samples. It is really quite simple. You While the techniques used by Criticism order a kit online for $99 USD companies like 23andMe, Navi- Critics question the validity along with a $9/month sub- genics and deCode Genetics may of the information gleamed from scription to 23andMe’s personal not be problematic in and of them- these tests and the effects that they genome service. Once you have selves, they could have a broad may have on individuals. Further- received your kit in the mail, you range of consequences, which more they question the regulation register it online, spit in a tube, extend far beyond fun genetic of such services. While DNA test- send the spit to the lab and wait exploration. Commercial DNA ing has been a part of diagnostics 6-8 weeks for your results. After testing is becoming readily avail- and care for some medical condi- which you can log on to explore able through the expansion of tions, it is cautioned that this type your genome at your leisure. services, more affordable ser- of technology is still in its infancy.

18 Teknovatøren 3/2012 “Does knowing our At present, these tests cannot Global Genetics replace all other medical ser- Direct-to-consumer genetic genetic makeup allow vices; rather they are one more tests are available to customers us to be risk averse?” tool within the extended realm of all over the world from online health care. stores. As a consumer of this ser- These companies probably vice you can take control of your deliver what they say they are own health from the comfort of going to deliver to their custom- your own home. Establishing pol- What does the future hold? ers. Troubling is what people’s icies regarding these technologies If we can take matters into our perceptions and expectations are as they are available today may own hands, and engage in our of what they will get out of hav- be difficult due to the ambigu- health online, will this replace ing such a test done. DNA testing, ity of the risks involved and the clinic visits? Does knowing our while framed as a technology nature of the service, consider- genetic makeup allow us to for ultimate risk aversion, opens ing its position on the Internet. be risk averse? These kinds of up the possibility for a variety of Health information is available services can become more com- other relations to be expressed. in new ways, transcending the monplace. The effects it will have Thus it is not a matter of escaping issues of time and space, con- on the individual and the broader risk, but rather a matter of living cerns more closely associated health care system cannot be with risk in a different way. The with traditional health care mod- overlooked. More information may converse of this is not that we can els. Although these tests are far lead to more uncertainty and an live in complete ignorance of such from mainstream, they are becom- even greater reliance on medical technologies. We encounter them, ing increasingly popular and more information. The effect of direct-to- we choose how we interact with attention needs to be paid to these consumer tests would then not be them and the information that can kinds of medical services. Since one of empowerment, but rather be gleamed, and we take posi- their beginnings in the mid-2000s, quite the opposite. The popular- tions to how we want to engage these companies are still going ity and prevalence of these tests with new forms of biosociality.1 strong, evidently expanding their cannot be ignored by the medi- services to the consumer market. cal field. It is not just a matter of Direct-to-consumer DNA tests are, acknowledging these tests but of and will continue to be, a tool for understanding specifically how understanding the human body they are utilised, what information at risk both in the present and in can be gleamed from them, and anticipation of the future. how this information is used.

1. Rose, Nikolas. 2007

19 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Anina Bjørnhaug TIK MA Student [email protected] When to Stop Saving a Life?

When is it right to stop Due to radical innovations and manage to postpone and pro- saving a life? And, where new knowledge gained through- long the process of dying. From should one draw the line out the past few decades, we now my own years working in differ- between not saving a life ent care facilities, I’ve been forced and passive euthanasia? to reflect on several controversial These are but a few questions Passive Euthanasia questions regarding the ethics on care-givers have to take into The active witholding of treatments how to care for dying individuals. account when dealing with necessary for the continuance of people in what may be the life. Keeping Alive last days of their lives. I’ve experienced a woman in

20 Teknovatøren 3/2012 “Is life always the better choice?”

her nineties dying multiple times, feeding. She was surrounded by patients voiced wishes. The only only to be brought back to life, exhausted and mourning family exception to this regulation is during two summer months work- members, and by the last time in situations when the patient is ing at a nursing home. She was she died she was all alone. We all defined as dying (cf. §7). But there brought back to life. But I was left thought this was just another false is still no clear definition of what thinking: To what life? From my alarm. We were sure the doctors this state implies. point of view her life between could bring her back once more, these episodes of heart fail- like they had done so many times Definition of Dying ure, consisted of pain and forced before. From my point of view she While working at a home for was kept alive, but at this point in people suffering from progressive time she was no longer living her Multiple Scleroses (MS), one of life. the many things I had to learn by heart was which patients who had Pull the Switch? signed a No CPR form. A form Most of us hope for a peaceful that states that in the event of a and calm point of departure. That’s respiratory and/or cardiac arrest, why some argue that we should be no cardio-pulmonary resuscita- allowed to die in our own home, tion is to be undertaken. This in safe and familiar surroundings, form reinforces what is stated in together with close family. We pic- the legislations regarding patients’ ture ourselves, fading away like it rights: “a patient who is dying can was the easiest and most natural oppose life prolonging treatment” thing in the world. But for many (cf. § 4-9)1. Patients diagnosed it becomes a struggle. A strug- with MS were in this case defined gle not only for the person close as dying. People suffering from to the end, but also for the care- illnesses such as non-curable can- givers responsible for them, and cer and long-term lung illnesses, the family who holds them close. It is according to professor Petter may become a controversial situa- Andres Steen from the paramedic tion where one is left to decide on unit at the University of Oslo, whether or not to: pull the switch, defined as not dying (Interview force the person to eat, drink and with NRK). The law does not allow take their prescribed medications, them to restrain treatment. or whether or not to perform CPR. In either case, if the health According to the Norwegian personnel are not a hundred per- Health Personnel regulations cent sure, they will have to treat every patient is to receive lifesav- the patient. If they choose not ing treatment, even in situations to perform lifesaving treatment, where this will conflict with the they will, according to Director

1. Based on my own translation Photo: Catholiclane

21 Teknovatøren 3/2012 of department in the Ministry of life always the better choice?” As close to the end, as well as his or Health Hans Petter Aarseth (Inter- a parent he had to decide whether her care-givers. There is a need view with NRK), get close to what or not to make his multi handi- for support and guidance, not only might be seen as passive euthana- capped son go though yet another in the process of caring for a dying sia. But how can one be sure that liver transplantation - a son that person, but also in the years pre- not saving a life is the right thing throughout a process of contin- ceding this stage. to do in any give situation? uous liver failure had become After being forced to make severely brain damaged. He had such a controversial decision on Ongoing Debate an estimated three years left to whether or not to takes action and Healthcare should always live. But as Skancke points out save a life, the decision makers be about helping the person to “the future always will be uncer- – might it be family, a doctor or grow, rather than helping them tain (…) Whatever we choose to a healthcare worker – has to live to decline – even in the case of do, we will be left with a terrible with the consequences of those care for dying individuals. This feeling. In this merciless reality actions or non-actions for the rest is a point made by Dr. William we’ll lose either way.” of their lives. H. Thomas in a presentation held at the Healthcare conference in Back to my starting Stjørdal in the fall of 2011. What question... References he meant by this statement is that When is it right to stop saving Fugelli, Per (24.01.12), “Dødskvalitet”, one should always help the person a life? I believe there is no answer Aftenposten. to make the most out of the time or argument that can settle this Kleppo, Kristine (08.09.11), “Bestemor vil he or she has left in life. But still debate, and it remains what Sck ikke gjenopplives”, ABC-nyheter there are questions to be asked: anke describes as “the hidden Melgård, Marie (14.03.12), “Jeg ønsket å What if there is no more room for tsunamis of our time”. What is sette ord på ting for å gi noen en stemme”, growth? Or is there ever? This is a clear however is that we are in aftenposten point reflected upon in a editorial desperate need for clear def- Omland, E. and Haugen Egge, J (01.06.11) written for the newspaper Aften- initions, guidelines and a better ”Professor: Leger bryter loven hver uke”, posten by Torgeir W. Skancke: “Is support system for the person NRK.

Illustration:Veronika Hansen

22 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Ane Hagtvedt ESST MA Student [email protected]

The Junk Food Generation

Characterized by the World Health Organization as one of today’s most blatantly visible – yet most neglected – public health problems, the global rise in overweight and obesity has become a much discussed topic in recent years. While some call for more government intervention or argue inactivity is to blame, this article dis- cusses an actor that may not have gotten quite the attention it deserves.

Illustration:Kristine Czynski

23 Teknovatøren 3/2012 obesity Worldwide, obesity rates have more than doubled since 1980, now representing the fifth leading risk for death globally. Additionally, 44% of the diabetes burden, 23% of the ischemic heart disease burden and between 7% and 41% of certain cancer burdens are attributable to overweight and obesity. Recent estimates predict that 1.5 billion adults are over- weight or obese. For school-aged children, the number is set to 200 million, and for children un der five, to 43 mil- lion. 65% of the world’s population now live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. ing children value of the product, or whether it of overweight gave me some extra puppy fat… parents prone So this is what it has come to follow in the to: The children of today are heavy foot- super-consumers. With their While the WHO estimates steps of their caregivers. To add smartphones, blogs and social that one in four children in insult to injury they are bom- networking, they are surrounded Europe are either overweight barded with advertisements for by marketing left, right, and cen- or obese, policy makers, industry unhealthy foods. tre, and their purchasing power representatives, and health pro- is rapidly growing. In 2009, it was moters engage in heated debates Aggressive Marketing estimated that the child-oriented on how to cope with children’s As the food industry has market in the UK had increased by booming BMIs and growing appe- advanced their expertise in per- 33% in only five years, leaving it at tites. Though they may disagree suasive marketing techniques, a staggering £99.12 billion a year! on where to place the blame, they the target group has grown from In addition, Danish research shows have agreed on declaring child- mainly concentrating on adults, that the number of TV ads we are hood obesity one of Europe’s most to also including children. Adver- exposed to has increased by more pressing public health challenges. tising is no longer restricted to than 150% in ten years, and one TV, radio and print media. It now can only imagine the growth in Three Important Factors extends to advergames, packag- viral marketing... The underlying reasons for the ing, toy premiums, promotions, But when is it enough? As of obesity epidemic are many and sponsorship, product placements, now, babies learn to identify logos complex, but public health nutri- pester power, internet ads and at the age of 18 months – before tionists are increasingly pointing different types of viral market- to the aggressive marketing of ing – you can help the Oreo unhealthy foods that children are get dunked before time runs “So this is what it has come exposed to. Upon further investi- out, surprise your friends with gation, they have found that three e-cards starring Quicky the to: The children of today well-established factors give just Nesquik bunny, drink Pepsi like are super-consumers.” cause for concern: commercial the hottest celebs, or collect marketing to children is dominated the latest range of Happy Meal by unhealthy products; advertising or Kinder they even learn to say ‘mum’ or influences children’s food prefer- Surprise toys, often accom- ‘dad’, and by the age of three, they ences, requests and consumption panying the newest and coolest can list an average of 100 brands. patterns; and early eating habits animated movie on screen! I don’t It has already been years since are likely to persist in later life. And know about you, but I sure remem- the golden arches of McDonald’s in this case as in many others, the ber pestering my parents to buy surpassed the Christian cross in apple doesn’t fall far from the tree: me that specific Kellogg’s product terms of recognisability. Is it time dietary habits are often passed that came with a toy. Rest assured; we try to halt the on-going com- on from parents to children, leav- I had no concern for the nutritional mercialisation of childhood?

24 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Photo: Morguefile Photo:

this are many and complex, So How are We Coping? but the somewhat vague Well, in spite of the pre- and ambiguous language cedence of food marketing of the current EU Pledge on the policy agenda in allows for lenient crite- Europe, few countries have ria and for the companies statutory regulations deal- to make products exempt ing with the issue. Instead, from the marketing restric- it is left to the food indus- tions through creatively try to restrain itself through exploring certain loop- self-regulation – voluntary holes. Hence, in order to codes of conduct in which protect children from per- participating com- suasive marketing, panies pledge to we need not just to change their mar- “As of now, babies learn to identify logos at the see that the com- keting to children. panies comply While industry and age of 18 months before they even learn to say with the market- supporting stake- ‘mum’ or ‘dad’” ing restrictions, but holders deem that it has an effect self-regulation the on what it set out to least resource-demanding and EU. According to the initiative, the change: childhood obesity. most flexible approach to chang- pledge is a way for “food industry So when we read that Amer- ing policy, critics disregard it due to use commercial communica- icans categorize pizza as a to industry’s vested interests, and tions to support parents in making vegetable, we, as Norwegians, argue it is a case of foxes guard- the right diet and lifestyle choices might roll our eyes and shrug. But ing the henhouse. However, due to for their children” demonstrating this concerns us, too, now more the rapidly changing media land- how “self-regulation continues to than ever. As the latest numbers scape, policy makers and health respond in a timely and proactive indicate that 20% of school-aged promoters are almost dependent way to societal concerns”. And children in Norway are either on the food industry to collabo- the monitoring shows impressive overweight or obese, it is time rate, as judicial processes are too results, reporting virtually 100% we put our foot down and reverse slow to keep up with the level of compliance! the alarming obesity trends that innovation and ubiquity of market- However, in spite of the grow- we are witnessing. In the end it all ing. ing number of signatories to the comes down to this: your energy The most prominent self-reg- Pledge, and despite the commit- output must exceed your energy ulatory initiative in Europe is the ments having been made stricter, intake, but that does not mean it EU Pledge, where current sig- children are getting fatter and fat- is ok to exploit the credulity of the natories account for more than ter, and the social and financial vulnerable. Let children be chil- 80% of the entire food and bev- burden continues to grow. As pre- dren, instead of a target group for erage advertising spend in the viously mentioned, the reasons for junk food.

25 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Andreas Doppelmayr TIK MA Student [email protected] Five Blades to Rule them All?

Over a decade after King C. Gillette invented safety razor with disposable blades made from thin the first disposable blade safety razor, his metal strips. Gone were the days when men needed company still reigns supreme in the shaving to strop and sharpen their straight razor. If the blade market. However, Gillette’s innovations have became dull, you threw it away and bought a new not only created enormous piles of cash, but one. The age of mass consumption had arrived, and also mountains of trash and disgruntled cus- it was to grow at an unbelievable rate. In its first year tomers complaining about astronomic prices. of production, Gillette sold 51 razors and 168 blades. Has the company pushed innovation too far? By 1915, annual sales had increased to 450 000 razors and 70 million blades. Millions of men do it every day. Few of them enjoy As in most cases, the party didn’t last forever. it, but they still pay a high price to do it. We are talking Schick released its Injector razor in 1920, where about shaving. In 1901, King C. Gillette revolution- blades stored in an injector device were directly ized the way men remove facial hair by inventing a inserted into the razor. A perhaps even bigger threat

26 Teknovatøren 3/2012 “While costs have risen, to Gillette surfaced in 1965, surely all of this innovation Stepping out of the roller- when the British company coaster history of shaving Wilkinson Sword introduced must have at least done some- technology, some problems stainless steel razor blades. thing positive for the are nevertheless evident. While Gillette had success- While Gillette and its compet- fully manufactured stainless environment?” itors have tried to convince steel blades for decades, they customers about buying their still continued to sell rust-prone blades made of car- new products for over a century, not everyone shares bon steel in order to reap greater profits. A major the view that innovation necessarily has been a good problem for razor blade manufacturers at that time thing. According to the MIT, razor blade prices have was that most of the blades were the same design. In tripled since 1971, even after adjusting for inflation. order to separate itself from the competition, Wilkin- When the Daily Mail in 2009 confronted Gillette with son Sword released the Bonded Shaving System in why there is a rumored 4750 per cent markup on 1970. This innovation fused a single blade onto a plas- razor blade prices from production to the final point tic cartridge that was only compatible with Wilkinson of sale, Gillette referred to R&D as one of the main Sword’s razor. The following year Gillette responded cost factors. In 2005, a federal judge in Connecticut with the twin-blade Trac II, claiming that two blades issued an injunction prohibiting Gillette from certain would give a better shave than one. The shaving tech race was on! In 1975, the year after Gillette had launched it’s twin-blade razor, the debut episode of Saturday Night Live included a parody advertisement for a triple- blade razor. It would take Gillette over 20 years, but in 1998 they finally introduced the triple-blade Mach3. In the subsequent years after its release, blade sales increased by 50 per cent and profits soared. Schick, which at that point shared the same parent company as Wilkinson Sword, released the four-blade Quattro in 2003. Gillette’s response to the Quattro was humorously predicted by entertain- ment newspaper and website The Onion, which in 2004 wrote a satirical article called “Fuck Everything, We’re Doing Five Blades”. The Fusion, a five-blade razor was released by Gillette in 2006. Subsequent color changes on models dubbed the Phantom, Phe- nom and Stealth followed before the Fusion ProGlide featuring thinner blades with low-resistance coating was launched in 2010. It represents the pinnacle of shaving technology, and nobody knows what excit- ing innovation will come next. Or?

27 Teknovatøren 3/2012 types of advertising, stating Gillette’s claims to be useless materials in packaging) for the "gratuitous “greatly exaggerated” and “literally false”. Critics use of packaging" enclosing the Fusion razor . King are also pointing out that the only advantage Gil- C. Gillette, known to have been an utopian social- lette’s battery-powered models offer are increased ist who advocated that all industry should be taken sales for Duracell, a company owned by Procter & over by a single corporation owned by the public, Gamble, who also happen to own Gillette. And who and that everyone in the US should live in a giant city supplies the batteries for Schick’s battery-powered called Metropolis powered by Niagara Falls, must razors? Parent company Energizer Holdings. have turned in his grave. While costs have risen, surely all of this inno- Have all the shaving tech innovations pushed men vation must have at least done something positive back to the original safety razor? It is beginning to for the environment? Guess what: it hasn’t. The first look so as German manufacturers are struggling to major impact of shaving on the environment proba- meet increasing demand, and even producers of bly occurred in 1949, when Carter-Wallace released straight razors have waiting lists ranging from months the first can of aerosol shaving cream. The cans orig- to over a year for their products. Small, newly-estab- inally contained chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which lished firms in the US and Europe are producing we now know is detrimental to the Earth's ozone shaving products based on traditional recipes and layer. CFCs were banned in the late 1970s, and albeit organic ingredients, reaching out to a growing cus- today’s aerosol shaving creams contain other types tomer base. of gases, their environmental impact is still enor- Ok, that seems dandy and all, you might say, but mous compared to the traditional shaving soap or aren’t these razors with one blade dangerous, and cream. Having already mentioned the unnecessary doesn’t five blades give a closer shave than one? batteries, and let’s not forget the disposable razors, Foam out of an aerosol can is surely the ultimate pro- today’s top shaving gear not only requires custom- tection for my face? Innovation has to be good! Well, ers to change their razor and blades at an increasing what do you think King C. Gillette would have said speed, but the packaging itself is also becoming an if he saw one of today’s five-blade, bright orange, environmental offender. In 2007, the Australian envi- vibrating, battery-powered razors? Probably nothing ronmental agency Sustainability Victoria awarded suitable to write here. Gillette the Golden DUMP Award (dangerous and Andreas Doppelmayr is the founder of Barbershop.no

28 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Confessions Kristin Asdal Professor at TIK, UiO of a Lecturer [email protected]

Already as a master student and strict regulations in order to emerge, the French school might when writing about the role of protect the environment. “Too rather say that everything is, in economics in environmental pol- naïve”, one of them once wrote principle, controversies. Thus, this itics I was inspired by a tradition to the Ministry´s suggestion to speaks to actor-network theory of research which is sometimes establish a budget system for nat- as an approach that is attentive to called the “controversy-tradi- ural resources.My understanding translations; how the trajectory of tion”. Very generally told, one of of environmental politics would a controversy is dependent upon the crucial underlying assump- have been different if I had not a series of moves, or translations tions of the approach is that in looked for controversies, or dis- between the actors involved. controversies norms, values and agreements. Also, the French school is a mate- standpoints that are normally The tradition I was inspired by rial-semiotic approach which is hidden may come to the surface came from Sweden. I was partic- interested in the means through and be made explicit. In con- ularly inspired by the sociologist which controversies are made troversies, the actors you study Thomas Brante. I did not know at or spelled out. This may alert need to explicate and argue for the time that one of his PhD-stu- us to the difference between an their positions and standpoints. dents was Göran Sundqvist who approach which is interested to This makes controversies a rich is now my colleague and profes- study why controversies emerge source for social scientists and sor at TIK. Later, I have also been and how to explain the positions humanists alike: They simply pro- involved in another approach to the different actors take, in con- vide you with a richer material the study of controversies, namely trast to an approach which is than what you get when everyone a French-inspired tradition. A more interested in exploring how seems to agree. Such controver- few years ago I took part in the controversies shape science and sies are not so easily found in EU-project Macospol (Mapping society. printed white papers. They are Scientific Controversies for Pol- But is everything controversial more easily found in drafts and in itics) headed by Bruno Latour. and are controversies all? Lately comments in the margins while Both approaches to the study of I have been more and more white papers are in the making. controversies imply that contro- interested in what we could call When I learned how econo- versies, for instance in science, non-controversies. Just as much mists not only thought, but also is nothing special. They go on all as controversies are made in acted, in environmental issues, the time and are essential parts particular practices, so are non- I often learned this from com- of science. However, whereas the controversies. So where are these ments in the margins reacting to Swedish tradition would maybe and how to study them? suggestions from the Ministry of be more attentive to particular the Environment on expensive instances when controversies

29 Teknovatøren 3/2012 The New Munch Museum in Oslo - Lambda ‘screams’ back

Jeta L. Andreassen ESST MA Student [email protected] how expertise boundaries are words of the jury, the only entry defined, and how power is negoti- that had the potential of becom- ated internally in decision-making ing a statement of its own time. Yet, On December 14th, 2011 processes. It also sheds light on the strengths of the project, such the Oslo City Council pulled how the participation of the pub- as the “light and communicative” the plug on Lambda. What lic is envisaged and implemented external appearance and the vol- was to become a safe haven in these cases. ume that “presents itself as alive” for Edvard Munch’s artistic soon became the very reasons for legacy and the latest archi- Lambda’s Journey from ‘Yay’ public criticism. The Directorate tectural attempt to “put Oslo to ‘Nay’ for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikva- on the map,” turned into yet In March 2009, the employees ren) thought Lambda was too high another shelved architectural and fans of the Munch Museum and that it isolated the Old Town, project. rejoiced – the international and some citizen groups did not jury had unanimously chosen want the museum to move to Was the Spanish-designed Lambda. They would soon have Bjørvika at all. In the meantime, building that was to stand along- a new place that would cater to architects continued to develop side the Norwegian Opera House the needs for conserving and dis- Lambda in close cooperation with a victim of its own vanity? After all, playing a collection of around 25 the museum experts. It never its aesthetics were not everyone’s 000 of Munch’s works. Oslo would occurred to anyone involved, cup of tea. Or was the long- be getting one the most modern that the Lambda project could standing debate on its location art showcases in the world for its be abandoned Until the munici- to blame? Judging by the contro- Munch: a glass-glazed, fourteen- pal elections came, that is. A few versy unfolding on the pages of storey high block with a ‘dent’ on political moves later, the fragile many Norwegian newspapers it the top. The building designed by balance of support for the Lambda could be both, and much more. Herreros Arquitectos was appro- was completely disturbed. The debate on the new Munch priately dubbed “Lambda” to Museum also deals with the ques- highlight the building’s signifi- Munch’s Controversial New tion of how and to what degree cance as an important point in Home: The Public Has a Say the public influenced the devel- the area. It sought to balance the The controversy highlights opments around the new building. merging of city with the sea and severalpractises an architectural For an architect interested in STS, the Akerselva River, as well as pro- building undergoes when ‘trans- such as myself, this controversy vide a vertical counterpoint for the lating’ into an accepted social offers an opportunity to study Opera House. Lambda was, in the artefact. It hints on how notions

30 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Photo: Herreros Arquitectos Photo: Herreros

are negotiated and territories of this is known as “participatory were given the chance to come influence are defined, as well as approach” - when all stakeholders into the function and play the role which of these concepts are taken and interested parties are actively they were meant to, they were for granted. involved in creating a usable prod- embraced and often even fanati- In the case of Lambda, exper- uct. The same approach could be cally protected by the very same tise was treated as a rigid form applied in the decision-making public. of contribution, with each of the processes through the recogni- Lambda was never given that pre-defined expert groups giv- tion of groups and formations that chance. ing its input in different stages could potentially play an impor- Controversies of this nature of the decision-making process. tant role in shaping the outcome should be welcomed as oppor- It seemed that the project’s pro- of the project. Rather than trusting tunities to open up the famous ponents were complacent and that decision-making mechanisms “black boxes” in STS, namely that convinced that Lambda would be in place are sufficient to ensure of architecture’s function in soci- realised despite the vocal oppo- successful representation of all ety. They should be taken beyond sition. After all, this was how these parties concerned, the contro- the obvious discussion on the util- things were usually done. The role versy around Lambda shows that itarian role or the aesthetic aspect of the public appears to have been measures should be taken early of architecture, and instead be of minor importance or com- on to ensure that other voices of encouraged as legitimate meth- pletely neglected. other type of “experts” – those ods of finding out what we are as While one can argue that it is with tacit end-user knowledge – a society. impossible to get all to agree on are heard and taken on board. At the end of the day, public one thing, it is absolutely crucial debate around architecture speaks to recognise the power that pub- The Importance of Early volumes on what blueprints we lic opinion holds in public projects Mobilisation follow to build our identity – be it that are dependent on politics. The It is not uncommon that large national, local or personal – and public will be the end-user of the and important architectural proj- what lies in the core of the pro- building. In this sense it repre- ects, particularly art museums, cesses we employ to achieve the sents an expert group in its own stir controversy. The Guggenheim former. In the case of Lambda, it right that ought to be heard and Museum in New York and the Pom- may become clear what the public reckoned with in a more seri- pidou Centre in Paris, are both really wanted from Munch’s legacy ous manner than just through well-known examples of projects and how to get it. research polls or an occasional followed by public and political public hearing. In design practice tumult. Yet, once these buildings

31 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Edith F. Akerø ESST MA Student [email protected]

Espen Karlsen ESST MA Student [email protected] Travelogue: Maastricht

The Master of Arts program “European Stud- Choosing Maastricht ies of Science, Society and Technology” Espen listened his heart and Edith to the voice of (ESST) at the University of Oslo (UiO) is part her father, and both ended up in The Netherlands and of a European network consisting of several the southern city of Maastricht, in the region called universities spread across the continent. Limburg. First things first; this is not Holland. Only the Seven of these offered the students the two westernmost regions of the country holds that opportunity to attend their courses for the name. There are few windmills and nobody wears second semester specialization in 2012. clogs down here, but hopefully we’ll be able to spot As a Norwegian student, this is one way of a tulip or two. One of the typical Dutch things Edith being able to attend a highly rated university, enjoys is biking. Espen on the other hand is a big fan at the price of the UiO semester fee. of the train, where he spends many hours going back and forth between Maastricht and his other home- town of Nijmegen. Being almost local, he is able to teach Edith some useful phrases. The city is most known for the Maastricht Treaty, which established the European Union in 1992. If we go a little further back in history the Maastricht University was established in 1976, and even fur- ther back the Romans built the bridge over the river

32 Teknovatøren 3/2012 From left to right: Espen “Proosting” with the Greeks in our class, Edith on her beloved bike, and the The Hoge Brug and River Maas at night.

Maas, which gave the city its name (Crossing at the Over the past three weeks of this five week course, Maas). ‘Universiteit Maastricht’ (UM) is said to have we have covered topics like governing, institutions, the most international campus in The Netherlands, epistemic communities, boundary management and and they are proud of their ranking as number 109 off course methodology. UM uses a method of learn- on the QS World University Rankings. The University ing called Problem Based Learning (PBL), which is of Oslo actually ranked right above in 2011, as num- described as being student-centered, self-directed ber 108. and where the “tutor” act as facilitator or guide. It is interesting to see how the STS-approach is being The Course taught differently here than in Oslo. The Science and Technology Studies (STS) spe- cialization course here is called Public Science End of Term Policy, and this is the second time it is given by the Soon the course ends and we are left alone to UM as part of the ESST specializations. This affects write our thesis. Luckily those days will also include the teaching in certain ways, but other than that the visits from family and fellow ESST’ers from Oslo. overall level is high and the class of nine people gives Hopefully we’ll be able to do a bit of travelling as room for great discussions. Half of the people who well, as Maastricht is very conveniently situated right started ESST at UM in August last year went abroad in the heart of Europe. With this experience at hand for the second semester. we might be better equipped to take on future chal- lenges, having made the most of our ESST-education.

33 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Marianne Austheim TIK MA Student [email protected] 3from TIK

Name: Name: Name: Lars Øystein Benjamin Fahimeh Eriksen Myklebust Pourbayat Program: ESST Programme: Programme: Graduation ESST ESST Year: 2006 Graduation Graduation Year: 2006 Year: 2005

1. What did you study before you 1. What did you study before you 1. What did you study before you started at TIK/ESST? started at TIK/ESST? started at TIK/ESST? I had a bachelor’s degree in soci- I studied engineering at Sør-Trøn- Bachelor in Computer Engineer- ology with a minor in economics. delag University College. ing at Oslo University College.

2. What was your thesis about? 2. What was your thesis about? 2. What was your thesis about? I looked at the farmed fish indus- I wrote about ferries in Norway My thesis was about linking try in Norway. I interviewed that run on natural gas. Specifi- three separate theories; inno- commercial and other actors such cally, I looked at how these are vation diffusion, social network as NFR and Innovation Norway evaluated as a green initiative, analysis and disruptive technolo- that are involved in the produc- and what factors may promote or gies together to provide a better tion of farmed cod. inhibit that more natural gas-run understanding of how innovation ferries are introduced. is spread in a social system. 3. What is your current occupa- tion? 3. What is your current occupa- 3. What is your current occupa- I currently work in the socio-polit- tion? tion? ical department of NITO. Most of I work for ZERO as a technology I work as a manager in the Cap- my work deals with the politics of advisor, focusing on electrical ital Markets department at Tieto. innovation and research. cars and infrastructure that sup- I have the responsibility for ports the running of these types all incoming customer related 4. How relevant is TIK/ESST in of cars. issues. your current position? At UiO I was told that students 4. How relevant is TIK/ESST in 4. How relevant is TIK/ESST in with a social sciences back- your current position? your current position? ground are able to see the big In my current and previous ESST studies have given me a picture. After a few years in the occupations it has been my engi- better understanding of modern workforce, I can see that this is a neering background that has technological development and marked advantage. Apart from been in demand. However, in my social patterns that are important that, innovation theory is the most job it is very beneficial to have a basics when working with cli- important thing that I have taken broad background and the ESST ents in a market that is in constant a way. master provided me with that. change.

34 Teknovatøren 3/2012 Teknovatøren’s next issue: Available Fall 2012.

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