Technology: search for meaning

HIGH TECH HIGH TOUCH - Technology and our search for meaning: John Naisbitt with Nana Naisbitt and Douglas Philips; Nicholas Brealey Publishing Ltd., 36, John Street, London, WC IN 2AT UK. Distributed by Rupa and Co., 7/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi-110002. £ 10.95

THE ADVANCEMENT in technology provides benefits and advantages to the society. The authors of the book under review say that America has transferred from technologically comfortable place into technologically intoxicated zone.

They have identified the symptoms of technological intoxication from their research, interviews with cultural leaders in business and arts, academics, theologians and careful examination of their own lives.

According to them the symptoms of technological intoxication are: (1) we favour the quick fix from religion to nutrition; (2) we fear and worship technology; (3) we blur the distinction between real and fake; (4) we accept violence as normal; (5) we love technology as a toy; and (6) we live our lives distanced and distracted.

While explaining the symptom ``we fear and worship technology'', they observed ``One thousand years ago, as we approached the end of the first millennium, human beings feared God's wrath visiting death and destruction upon the earth. With the new millennium that fear has been rechanneled into a technological Armageddon called Y2K. Like God's all-powerful wrath, some fear that computer technology gone awry threatens to shower mayhem upon humankind - planes dropping out of the sky, missiles firing uncontrollably, the global economy crashing, massive technological failure. Some people have even prepared well- stocked bomb shelters or off the grid survival homes as if technology itself is an uncontrollable force capable of creating pandemonium and mass destruction''. We grant technology a special status as if it is a natural law, an inalienable right that our daily lives, our formative experiences, even the natural world are destined to be ``managed'' by increasingly sophisticated software.

The observations of Marshall Mcluhan are mentioned in this context. He said he did not know who discovered water, but he was sure it was not a fish. When you are in something so deep it is hard to see it.

If you love technology, we will be careful with it. We will not be reckless. With a conscious awareness of technology, we can evaluate the relevance of existing technologies with clarity and build an appropriate relationship with technology. Further, we will become neither ``technophobes'' nor ``technophiles''. In this context, Buddha's teaching is quoted: ``Awake'' is how Buddha described his state of being. It would serve us well to be awake to the consequences of technology, both good and bad. We should not shut our eyes or close our ears or silence a dialogue or be seduced by technology.

They feel High-Touch (the arts, religion, alternative medicine) has been seen as a response to Hi-Tech (computers and telecommunication).

According to them it is an extension of C. P. Snow's ideas of two distinct cultures. Further, they explain that Hi-Tech and Hi- Touch are enjoying the fruits of technological advancements and having it truly sit well with our God or Church or spiritual benefits.

It is understanding technology through the human lens of play, time, religion and art.While talking about, ``Technology is the currency of our lives'', they say consumer technology traditionally has promised to save time and labour freeing us to pursue activities that really matter and few would deny that consumer technologies have made our lives easier during the past century. But, we remain obsessed with productivity and efficiency.

How much can we accomplish in a day, an hour and in 10 minutes. The car which is still considered our most expedient piece of consumer technology offers a case in point. In addition to moving from one location to another we expect to stay connected and entertained.

We conduct business on the cell phone, read at stoplights and scribble notes on pads of paper suction cupped to the windshield.

Other ``productivity tools'' for cars include factory installed, voice activated computers capable of sending and receiving electronic mails and faxes.

Seeking to maximise the time we spend commuting, we also consume entire meals on the road for which we buy specialised foods, cups and travelling bibs.

Kellog's, manufacturer of the world's first mass-produced convenient food, is now concentrating on portable breakfast foods, because 13 per cent of Americans eat breakfast in the car and Kellogg's says it wants ``to be in those cars''. McDonald's now does most of the business through the drive rather than over the counter.

The observations of Prof. Stephen Kline are indicated under the chapter entitled ``The Military-Ninten do complex''. He worries about what children are learning through playing electronic games.

Play is paradoxical: it subsumes both a connection to reality and imagination by definition. Video game violence is not real, but it is an intense simulation of personal conflict.

We should think about whether that is something worth encouraging our children to do on a regular basis with high degrees of engagement.

Buddhist scholar Thruman questions whether faith and science are simply co-existing today. Scientists becoming comfortable with their own religious faith and religious leaders are reconciling to the Big Bang theory with genesis.

``There has been this split between religion and science in the west for sometime and it makes dialogue very difficult. But these issues of genetic technology are very very worthy of discussion we had to go into multi-religious dialogue and be willing to take help from the eastern brothers - Taoism, Hinduism and Buddhism to have a truly constructive dialogue.''

John Naisbitt's initial presentation on the subject of Hi-Tech and Hi-Touch were punctuated with images, photographs, illustrations, film and television clips projected from power- book on to a giant screen before large audiences. As he spoke he clicked from image to image or paused to run a film short.

Few people had seen anything quite like it. He has realised that Hi-Tech presentation distanced him from the audience and distracted from his message. He abandoned the dazzling display of technology and went back to the old fashioned way: looking at his audience and talking with them.

The authors hope this book will give readers a conscious awareness of our relationship with technology, so that we can see and feel the technologically intoxicated zone and help ourselves, families, community and business.

Informed by this conscious awareness, our society can collectively begin to anticipate the consequences of new technologies and apply them responsibly and not mindlessly or foolishly. John Naisbitt, whose earlier books include Megatrends, Global Paradox and Megatrends Asia needs a special mention for his major contribution in bringing out this volume.

The unique feature of this book is that it contains the profiles of the interviewees with their contact numbers and electronic mail ID. It must be read by everyone irrespective of their area of interest.

N. RAGHAVENDRA RAO

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