Perhaps one of the tragedies of our time is the belated recognition of the importance of technology in the affairs of man. Technology has been and continues to be a powerful force in society. It has changed the way man lives, the way he thinks about himself and others, and his perceptions of the future. We are discovering that continued development of technology has brought about subtle, cumulative, and pervasive changes in both our natural and social environments. And it is these changes which will force reconsideration of the mission of education, including industrial arts. At issue will not be short range consideration of job or career education, but the far more serious and critical issue of the stewardship of society and the spaceship earth. The central problem of our time and the issue which should have the greatest impact on industrial arts education is the search for alternative technologies which meet the needs of human beings and enhance the quality of life in all its dimensions. The problem must be recognized as primarily social and not technological, requiring appropriate social tools to enable human beings to achieve the goal of a humane society meeting human needs and human purposes. (Author)