Lost with technology
In 1993, Neil Postman eloquently described the concept of Technopoly as a societal condition where technology is not only highly valued but also revered. In this world, individuals devote their lives to serving technology, whether as avid consumers or dedicated producers. However, it is important to note that the ultimate purpose of technology, within this framework, is to generate more technology.
Fast forward to the present day, and we find that Transhumanists hold a different perspective on the trajectory of human evolution. They believe that our current stage is merely a stepping stone, leading to our eventual extinction. According to their views, we will be surpassed by self-perpetuating machines, which will continue existence in a new and advanced form after our departure from the stage of history.
Moreover, the rapid pace of technological advancement has led us to overlook fundamental aspects of our human existence. Our deep connection with nature, once revered and cherished, has been overshadowed by a mindset that sees it solely as a means for exploitation and profit. We have become detached from the natural world, treating it as a mere reservoir of raw materials to fuel our insatiable desire for more gadgets, more convenience, and more data.
As we work tirelessly to acquire these technological marvels, we often fail to recognize that in the process, we are surrendering our own autonomy and becoming passive suppliers of information. Every click, every purchase, and every interaction with technology is meticulously recorded, analyzed, and monetized. We unknowingly relinquish our personal data, willingly sacrificing our privacy and individuality to fuel the growth and power of the technological mega-machine that envelops our lives.
In this symbiotic relationship, the machine keeps us alive and connected, but it is a double-edged sword. While it promises convenience, efficiency, and connectivity, it also perpetuates a cycle of dependence. We become mere cogs in the machinery, driven by the algorithms that shape our choices, preferences, and behaviors. We are reduced to data points, feeding the insatiable appetite of the technocratic system that thrives on our continued engagement.
The question then arises: Does this relentless pursuit of technological progress truly serve the betterment of mankind? Are we, as individuals and as a society, truly benefiting from this endless race to acquire the latest gadgets and embrace the newest technological advancements? Or are we merely pawns in a game where our own interests are secondary to the voracious appetite of the technopoly?
It is crucial that we pause and reflect on these questions. We must reclaim our agency, reconnect with our values, and reassess the true impact of technology on our lives. While technology is suppose to serve us, not the other way around, but for that we must know were are heading, because if we will not have a direction, we will eventually be directed by our very own creations. We therefore must ask the key questions about the very purpose of our existence, and how can we live a life in align with our purpose, as it is only then we can make technology serve us, not the other way around.
