AbstractThe new realities of our ‘technological culture’ prompt us to re-examine the way we make social assessments and democratic choices in relation to technological developments. New approaches to technology assessment and the politics of technology will have to take account of the cultural agendas implied by technology. They lead us to three focal points: social warning as a key function of technology assessment, social viability concerns in public debate and decision-making, and a social policy perspective on technology. Exploring issues of technology assessment and policy through the ‘lens’ of ‘the technological culture’ provides new opportunities for social debate and social learning.