The book argues that the failure of the Aramis guided-transportation system for Paris stemmed from the abandonment of technological innovations by their creators. Through the fictionalized account of Aramis itself, alongside engineers, executives, officials, and a sociologist, the narrative exposes the complex relationships and differing perspectives involved in technological development and its potential demise.
Aramis's plea highlights the risks faced by innovations when their human proponents lose faith or are unable to sustain them. The story is told from multiple viewpoints, revealing how the project was perceived and managed by various stakeholders, ultimately leading to its abandonment despite its technological potential.
Key concepts
- Aramis — A guided-transportation system intended for Paris whose abandonment forms the central narrative.
- Technological innovations — Innovations that risk being abandoned by their makers, as advocated for by Aramis itself.
- Multiple parties — The different perspectives—engineers, executives, officials, sociologist, and Aramis—through which the story is told.
- Fictional account — The narrative structure employed to explore the development and failure of the Aramis project.