Scientific and technological developments have real and direct effects on every person\\'s life. Some effects are desirable; others are not. Some of the desirable effects may have undesirable side effects. In essence, there seems to be a trade-off principle working in which gains are accompanied by losses. Example: As our society continues to increase its demands on energy consumption and consumer goods, we are likely to attain a higher standard of living while allowing further deterioration of the environment to occur. Today, we are often told, we live not simply in an age of information, but in an age of excessive information. The amount and availability of information seem to be incre