The personality of science is neither that of a chivalrous knight nor pitiless juggernaut. What, then, is science? Science is a golem.
A golem is a creature of Jewish mythology. It is a humanoid made by man from clay and water, with incantations and spells. It is powerful. It grows a little more powerful every day. It will follow orders, do your work, and protect you from the ever threatening enemy. But it is clumsy and dangerous. Without control a golem may destroy its masters with its flailing vigour; it is a lumbering fool who knows neither his own strength nor the extent of his clumsiness and ignorance.
(Actually, this passage is merely quoted from their previous book, The Golem: What You Should Know About Science.)
Collins & Pinch, The Golem at Large: What You Should Know about Technology.
One quote from the preface:
(Actually, this passage is merely quoted from their previous book, The Golem: What You Should Know About Science.)