Technology
Tonight, amongst riding, Paul and I had a conversation about technology. I love science fiction and technology in general, but also have some apprehension for what it can be used for. If you have ever read Orwell's "1984," then you know what I mean. I don't like to fear without a solid, rational reason, though, so I won't say that tech is bad.
Technology is a good thing and, I think, a natural product of the human curiosity. What is possible? What is beyond? How far will this go? With that comes the tendency for human lust for power/control. Technology will be a product of the those with wealth to serve largely those with wealth. Technology will have to filter down to the poor, something that only happens if it is profitable.
Think about cars. Thirty years ago, cars were alot different than the cars of today. Soon, cars will be only partially in your control. They are less in your control than thirty years ago. The same goes for a great many things. Soon, you will need a computer of some sort to do nearly everything you need to do to survive and that is when things will get interesting. Technology affects nearly every facet of our lives, these days.
The idea that the internet is un-controllable is probably accurate. But I have a thought...what if control is unnecessary? What if, much like a human population, one merely needs to push in the right places and pull in others to achieve marginalisation? The uncontrollable nature of the internet then acts to provide a false sense of security...much like "freedom of speech."
In our lifetimes we will see some incredible technologies enter the global population's hands at an accelerating rate. Some interesting questions are already being asked, but it seems that people don't want messy answers. The chess game is moving at a frantic pace already and, frankly, I'm nervous.
~J
Technology is a good thing and, I think, a natural product of the human curiosity. What is possible? What is beyond? How far will this go? With that comes the tendency for human lust for power/control. Technology will be a product of the those with wealth to serve largely those with wealth. Technology will have to filter down to the poor, something that only happens if it is profitable.
Think about cars. Thirty years ago, cars were alot different than the cars of today. Soon, cars will be only partially in your control. They are less in your control than thirty years ago. The same goes for a great many things. Soon, you will need a computer of some sort to do nearly everything you need to do to survive and that is when things will get interesting. Technology affects nearly every facet of our lives, these days.
The idea that the internet is un-controllable is probably accurate. But I have a thought...what if control is unnecessary? What if, much like a human population, one merely needs to push in the right places and pull in others to achieve marginalisation? The uncontrollable nature of the internet then acts to provide a false sense of security...much like "freedom of speech."
In our lifetimes we will see some incredible technologies enter the global population's hands at an accelerating rate. Some interesting questions are already being asked, but it seems that people don't want messy answers. The chess game is moving at a frantic pace already and, frankly, I'm nervous.
~J
posted by Voodstoc at 12:38 AM
1 Comments:
I think for me, nervous is an understatement, the fact that terrorists can post their plans for world destruction on the internet and can't be permanently deleted disturbs me in great deal. They take away our freedoms in important places and give it freely in useless others. Technology is great, but also shitty. I do agree with you though, technology as a whole is a good thing, but should our curiousity be snuffed sometimes? They do say that curiousity killed the cat. I think it is all a matter of opinion, rich people rule the world, so things will happen the way they want it to, we're just going along for the ride and hoping that we wont fall of the back and get left behind.
Post a Comment
<< Home