Abstract

The notion of a sociotechnical system is still developing and evidence can be viewed in a series of recent articles that has appeared over the last few years. With titles like Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Technology Analysis, and Strategic Technology Management, and, similarly, Technology/Knowledge Society and Sustainability are all buzzword terminology in a rapidly moving field, migrating from the scientific periphery to mainstream culture of a technology driven society. With the advent of global turmoil and the financial reins of 2008 credit crunch, the topic of sustainability and contemporary society is ever more concerning, as for years we as a society and our economy have been driven by two key measures of success profit and loss statements and our quarterly earnings. This article attempts to provide a brief assessment of a sizable body of literature, it also aims to provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between contemporary society, technology in sustainability from an engineering perceptive. It was found that contemporary society is profoundly reliant on technology, and for sustainability to be considered we call for a new legacy, not a continuation of the past.