Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Fire From the Gods
Technology is a powerful gift. Like simple fire, it can be used to accomplish all manner of useful tasks for the benefit of mankind. Also like fire, it can be the means of great destruction and mayhem. Technology is ubiquitous, so we tend not to think about it. Think we should, though; if we don't, we won't be able to control what technology will become. It is not bad or good any more than humans are. We decide whether technology will help or harm our world. If we don't want that world to burn up, we'd best keep an eye on the fire.
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I know none of us truly understand the future consequences of technology, but I'm interested in know in what ways the world could "burn up" from an unmaintained use of technology?
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly the sort of question people should be asking. There are a lot of books, movies and games which provide a more complete answer to this than I could ever give. Dystopia scenarios often rely heavily on misused technology. The motif shows up frequently because it is believable. There are people in the world who seek to harm others and technology gives them many ways to do it. To stop them, we must be careful to not give them any openings. Even without such malicious people, it is possible that technology will cause harm merely by accident. The way to prevent accidents is being careful and thinking about the effects of what you do before you do it.
DeleteSwitching tracks: what if we thought about humans? Would that increase our pessimism, paranoia, or our charity, or something else?
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