Let me preface by saying that I agree almost totally with all of Wong's points on this, and think his site has generally helped greatly in terms of debating and evidence gathering. This post is asking, however, for a closer examination of a certain point raised, and one which I think warrants an examination since I believe people who don't like or interact with ST might believe in it in some form or other.
On his definition of the term, quoted from the article:
The writer goes on to list down how ST mangles these ideas. However, one point I want to ask about is this-- on the supposed "emasculation of mankind". Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the writer seems to equate "peacefulness" with being "emasculated" and thus somehow "lesser". The idea of how "technology could have downsides that need to be examined" also seems to be less based in an actual examination of the tech (the ST "transporter" being an exception, considering the amount of evidence the writer produces) and more on how the author thinks tech must always have a major downside, with no exceptions (again, please correct me if I am stating this wrong). Now, I realize that many of the lessons implicitly taught, when applied to our current society, would undoubtedly be bad attitudes, but would it not be possible that, in the future, the base attitudes might change? Or is pessimism and defeatism considered a virtue?
Technology can solve all of the problems of mankind, including the problems that stem from human nature such as war, hatred, greed, etc.
Technology should not be questioned. Eventually, it will solve all of its own side effects.
To reiterate, I do not think ST has succeeded in portraying any of this well and I agree the writer is correct, especially when he states that ST's claims that it is good in the face of all its mistakes, incompetence, and general stupidity and ignorance is offensive and bad. However, I would like to pose the following thought experiment, which tries to address both of the main points made on "technological determinism": say the technology/procedures/whatever have been developed that allows us that allow us to both modify people's personalities as well as their bodies to eliminate negative aspects while retaining the beneficial ones, as well as possibly improving them. This can be done with no side effects. Would you consider the societal use of these technologies to improve mankind generally good or bad?