So I realize that I have neglected to post in a while, but I'm just about done with school and have time to post more, so I am going to. Today I was getting back in to Richard Pratt's book Designed for Dignity in my commitment to finish that book as well as a few others that I would like to blog about. Anyways, today I was reading as he shared a story about how he thought that replacing the typewriter in his office would only help, but how it just allowed for more work to be done and did not relieve the stress of his secretary. Wow. I found this to be true, and for me, how he elaborated on how every technological advance has a price to pay. The technology for nuclear energy also allows us to create nuclear bombs. This was true for me when I got a Blackberry. I love hated it. I loved the fact that I could be so connected, yet hated it. I thought I liked getting emails, but realized how much my anxiety and stress increased as some urgency to respond would overcome me. After I view months I regressed to the standard Nokia that does nothing more than make phone calls.
But to me, the bigger problem is our society as a whole. More innovation appears to only create more things to be concerned with, more work to fill our day, more garbage to fill the earth as we buy the newest thing. Like, for instance, an article I saw about the newest iPod and how the iPod classic, of which I am a proud owner of, will become obsolete in the next go round, which now occurs annually. New iPods and new iPhones, better, more memory, as if they don't already have enough. But truthfully, I do think God has blessed us on earth with many great things. We use them daily in many good ways, but I worry that it may be to our own detriment. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to newest iPod or Mac, perhaps the newest car or entertainment system, but the truth is some part in me knows I won't ever be satisified.
So, I choose not to look too deeply into what is the newest, latest, greatest, thing as my way of dealing with it. But I am also definitely guilty of indulging in new innovations and putting aside relationship with others. The comforting thing is that God created us and made a covenant with Noah that would make this world stable enough to go and explore, to create dominion. The world is safe, or at least I find that I know it won't be too choatic because of this covenant. And now the struggle for me becomes how do I use technology in a way that subdues in a positive way and is a blessing for me and to others, rather than in a detrimental manner. So what about you? Has technology been a positive or negative thing in your life?
