Behind the Scenes of Technology

Things are moving along, and work is being done. I've always been interested in technological development, not only in terms of how it impacts people, but also how people shape the direction that technology moves forward. Here's a short blog piece I wrote for the VIA blog about being behind the scenes of a new technological development:

Behind the Scenes of Technology

A few weeks ago I sat in a brand new Boeing 737-900ER and found myself excited about the past, present and future. When I looked up at the snazzy new interiors, I briefly relived my experience as an engineer working for one of the largest aviation companies in the world. The sentiment was almost bittersweet: I am able to fly in Indonesia because of work that my previous employer is responsible for — and I am in Indonesia because I chose to leave that very company.

When I looked to my left I saw my present: two of my superiors at Yayasan Dian Desa, the NGO to which I am now assigned and working with. We were on our way to Jakarta for a technical committee meeting in support of the Indonesia Cookstove Initiative, a program that promotes the research, development, and eventual market dissemination of clean cookstoves in Indonesia, in an effort to minimize cooking emissions that contribute to household air pollution. Household air pollution is a threat recognized internationally and is particularly relevant for many Indonesian households. Within Indonesia, YDD is leading the way to establish national standards for testing and certification of improved cookstoves, and the results from this program will undoubtedly have an impact on the international scene.

A man from Kulon Progo Regency trying out a lighting cone for the first time. The lighting cone is designed to speed up ignition time and reduce emissions. 

And my role in all this? It’s quite exciting, really. I am working closely with YDD and our World Bank technical consultant to develop a new testing methodology, and I am now assisting YDD with anything related to this effort. This new methodology is a rather innovative departure from the existing and widely accepted international “standard”, which has been challenged by several scientific and social science thinkers throughout the years — including our technical consultant — for its flaws and shortcomings. However, trying to promote a new method after many years of a “certain way of doing things” is not without its challenges. To be honest, the politics surrounding whether or not our consultant’s method will be accepted (and accepted by who?) has been one of the most fascinating parts of my work.

Close-up shot of a Keren traditional stove

At the technical committee meeting, I watched as our technical consultant earnestly presented his case, which was then discussed and debated by various players: academics, government officials, NGOs, and cookstove entrepreneurs. Watching the discussion unfold brought me back to the lessons I learned in a sociology course I once took in Singapore, titled Science, Technology, and Society. In that class I learned that the wide acceptance of a new technology or scientific discovery almost always depends on existing institutions and power structures. And sometimes the “truest” method or “truest” scientific discovery does not prevail — at least, not right away.

Considering all this, YDD is truly a pioneer, and I admire that they are able to take new ideas and adapt it to their practices and goals. Only time will tell whether or not these efforts will be accepted, duplicated, or challenged by others — especially after the rest of the international cookstove community really pays attention to what we’re doing. I, for one, am really glad that YDD is seeking the most appropriate solution, and I’m excited to be a part of it.