The intention of this paper seems to be to provoke a discussion about the importance of using technologies to enhance an individual’s relationships with other people, social groups, and the environment. Social enhancement is different from the more common technological enhancement, such as biomedically based technology aimed at enhancing the physical or cognitive strengths of an individual. The point made here is that the historical reduction in the number of deaths from disease came from improvements in living conditions, including sanitation, rather than from pharmaceuticals or medical technology. Thus, emerging technologies should focus on changing social and environmental conditions rather than the power of an individual.

Social enhancement is based on the recognition that human beings relate to others and are dependent on them. This implies that technology and research should be focused on improving social settings and, further, that each person benefits from such improvements. One example of a social enhancement is a soccer ball that charges a battery every time it bounces, providing energy not otherwise available. Other examples include smart sensors and smart environments. The paper mentions some challenges to the acceptance of social enhancement: biological approaches are taken more seriously than social approaches; companies and governments prefer quick solutions; and planners are fascinated with high technology, which is often not designed to be used widely.

The paper is worthwhile because the perspective is different. Beyond raising consciousness, though, the next step is not clear.