Failures of technology and systems: Contributing to flawed preparedness

Abstract

Preparedness has become America’s operative societal concept. We aim for educational preparedness to compete in a global economy. We invoke preparedness to deal with natural disasters. We see preparedness as the basis for security and safety of the homeland. We assume that the existing systems operating in our lives, communities, and society are solid and will not fail. We have come to believe that technology is our salvation. Systems and technologies will be explored in the context of their integral positive and negative roles in the preparedness process and continuum.