Innovation and Its Enemies: Why People Resist New Technologies (2016)

Innovation and Its Enemies by Calestous Juma explores the historical tension between technological innovation and societal resistance to change. Drawing on nearly 600 years of technological advancements, Juma examines how new technologies often provoke public controversy due to fears that their benefits will be limited to a select few while risks are more widely shared. He argues that much of this resistance stems from distrust in public and private institutions, as well as the societal desire for stability. Ultimately, Juma calls for policymakers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to collaborate in managing technological change and fostering public engagement to ensure smoother adoption of innovations.