Amateur Versus Professionals: Politics, Citizenship and Science

Abstract

Scientific and technological expertise is currently experiencing a crisis. The public shows a growing distrust in many aspects related to the techno-scientific development. The birth of that suspicion begins after World War II but has transformed in the past few decades. In this paper, the authors examine how that doubt has specific features in the present moment. Also, there is a reaction to propose another way to make scientific and technological research where there is a more participative spirit. These changes reshape traditional ideas on science, technology and progress. Amateur efforts in science and technology maybe are opening the possibility of a change for these activities and information technology seems to support these efforts. If these can be considered, a consistent trend is difficult to predict.