Rethinking the Notion of Technological Progress: Challenging the Pursuit of Convenience, Entertainment, and Safety

Core Concepts

The prevailing notion of technological progress, which prioritizes convenience, entertainment, and safety, is a flawed and limiting perspective that fails to address the deeper human needs for meaning, community, and engagement with reality.

Abstract

The article presents a critical analysis of the common understanding of "technological progress," which is often equated with the development of technologies that increase convenience, entertainment, and safety. The author argues that this perspective is misleading and fails to capture the true essence of progress.
The author begins by highlighting the disconcerting aspects of Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," where a seemingly perfect and prosperous society is actually a dystopia. This leads the author to question the underlying assumptions behind the notion of technological progress.
The author then introduces the concept of the "device paradigm" proposed by philosopher Albert Borgmann. This paradigm suggests that modern technologies have transformed many "things" (which were inseparable from their context and facilitated a deeper engagement with the world) into "devices" that prioritize the end result over the means, thereby reducing our interaction with the environment and the effort required to achieve certain ends.
The author argues that this device paradigm has led us to judge technological progress based on three main criteria: convenience, entertainment, and safety. Technologies that succeed in these metrics are considered "progress," while those that fail are deemed "failures." This discriminatory approach to technological innovation imposes a structure on its growth and discourages branches that do not yield the desired "fruit."
The author then explores the factors that have contributed to this prevailing conception of technological progress, including the influence of the marketing industry and the dominance of materialist ideologies. The author suggests that this perspective is driven by a desire to "fix" the perceived problems of pre-industrial life, such as discomfort, boredom, and danger, through the development of more and more technology.
The author questions whether this ideal of a "post-scarcity society" where everything is done by technology and we are constantly engaged and entertained is truly desirable. Drawing on the ideas of Viktor Frankl, the author argues that work, suffering, and engagement with reality are essential for finding meaning and defining ourselves as human beings.
Instead of prioritizing convenience, entertainment, and safety, the author suggests that we should adopt a set of technological criteria that promotes human dignity, community, and a dialogue with reality. The author acknowledges that this perspective may be controversial, but hopes that the reader can at least sympathize with the representation of the problem and the need to rethink the prevailing notion of technological progress.

Stats

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Quotes

"Technology, as we have seen, promises to bring the forces of nature and culture under control, to liberate us from misery and toil, and to enrich our lives."
"Depressive hedonia; the inherent lack of struggle (and resulting lack of meaning) that curses the socialites of Brave New World, gives us no space to exercise virtue, exert duties and responsibilities, or connect meaningfully with our environment."

Key Insights Distilled From

The Dead End of Technological Progress

by Elliott Coll... at medium.com 05-17-2024

https://medium.com/statecraft/the-dead-end-of-technological-progress-1893dcc5a8e8

Deeper Inquiries

How can we redefine the criteria for technological progress to better align with the deeper human needs for meaning, community, and engagement with reality?

To redefine the criteria for technological progress in a way that aligns with deeper human needs, we must shift our focus from mere convenience, entertainment, and safety to aspects that promote human dignity, community, and a meaningful dialogue with reality. This entails evaluating technologies based on their ability to foster human connection, promote personal growth, and enhance our understanding of the world around us. Instead of prioritizing ease and comfort, we should consider how technology can support individuals in finding purpose, building relationships, and engaging with the complexities of life. By emphasizing criteria that resonate with fundamental human values, we can ensure that technological progress serves a more profound and holistic purpose in enhancing the human experience.

What are the potential drawbacks or unintended consequences of pursuing a technological progress model focused solely on convenience, entertainment, and safety?

Pursuing a technological progress model solely centered on convenience, entertainment, and safety can lead to several drawbacks and unintended consequences. One significant issue is the potential loss of human connection and meaningful engagement with reality. By prioritizing convenience and entertainment, we risk isolating individuals in a world of superficial experiences and shallow interactions, devoid of depth and authenticity. Moreover, an overemphasis on safety may stifle innovation and personal growth, as risk-taking and resilience are essential components of human development. Additionally, a narrow focus on these criteria may perpetuate a culture of instant gratification and hedonism, undermining the pursuit of long-term fulfillment and purpose. Overall, a technology-driven society that neglects deeper human needs may result in a lack of meaning, community, and genuine human flourishing.

How might a shift in our understanding of technological progress impact the development and deployment of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and biotechnology?

A shift in our understanding of technological progress towards a more human-centric approach could have profound implications for the development and deployment of emerging technologies. By redefining the criteria for progress to prioritize human dignity, community, and engagement with reality, we may see a greater emphasis on technologies that enhance human well-being, foster genuine connections, and promote personal growth. This shift could lead to the creation of AI systems that prioritize ethical decision-making and human values, virtual reality experiences that facilitate meaningful interactions and learning opportunities, and biotechnologies that prioritize health and sustainability over mere convenience. Ultimately, a reorientation of technological progress towards deeper human needs could result in the development of technologies that truly enrich and empower individuals, rather than simply catering to superficial desires.