The Coming Ecological Determinism

The technological determinists think that technology controls the progression of civilization. I don’t think this is altogether true, but I was enticed by the processes of the consideration of huge forces that control the way we evolve and live. While I think technology is just a piece of the puzzle (granted an extremely large piece), I do think these forces are at play. One such forces that I believe will constitute an ever growing puzzle piece is the environment.

A computer can change the way we think, work, and relax. The environment can make it impossible to make the computer in the first place. What happens when coal and oil are depleted to levels that make it impractical to use them to power the factories that make technology? In terms of determining factors, I think the environment trumps almost everything else. And as things get more intense, i.e. global warming, fresh water shortages, food shortages, depleted fisheries, smog, we will be forced to adapt our lives to deal with these problems. The only other option is embracing impending annihilation. And that brings up another great puzzle piece; the determining factor that is the super-powerful self-preservation instinct. I think we’ll be all right.

Here’s a great exercise in imagining what a world with out oil might look like-

http://worldwithoutoil.org/

Reaction to Technological Determinists

After reading several writings on the theory of technological determinism, I have decided that I don’t like it. The theory is ultimately reductionist. If someone out on the street asked me to explain this theory, I would say (in the spirit of reductionism), “Those people think that technology determines the course of history, that technology is the force that moves and shapes culture.” True, technology is one of the most significant factors, but it just doesn’t explain everything. When looking at this theory, I am reminded of the old allegory about the witnesses to the car accident. Each witness stands in a different stop and thus each witness has a different rendition of the accident; different according to who’s at fault, who hit who, when it happened– basically all major variables shift with each witnesses account. The technological determinists are represented by just one of the witnesses. The arrogance of the claim that they have figured a theory to explain history is astounding. To put this into perspective, consider the fact that Marx was a determinist. His arrogance was the driving force behind the establishment of the Soviet Union. How many people suffered unnecessarily because of this flawed theory?

While I, like Elull, believe it is important to recognize the power of technology to steer entire civilizations. But I also believe that much more holistic perspectives are possible. To overstate the impact of technology actually strips humans of their power and places that power in technology. This type of thinking further unbalances our culture and makes people feel even more helpless. And as I am striving for a philosophy of human empowerment, this is unacceptable to me. Thus, I say to the Techno Determinists, thanks for your insights. I will take the good, leave the ridiculous and reactionary and be on my way.

Why We Are Ready For Solutions

In his book, Postman talks about the “specialist” culture. He says that the new priests are the sociologists, psychologists, physicians, etc. This book was written in 1993 and I think this aspect of culture has changed for the worse. The new new priests are self-help gurus, celebrities, and reality TV stars. A non-stop torrent of advice flows out of these people and every little bit is eaten up and the plate licked. WHY!!!??? Who are these people and why have they been given the authority to advise anyone about how they should live their lives? There are many answers to these questions but the one I want to focus on here is that people are hungry for answers.

If people want answers, they’re obviously out there by the millions… so what’s the problem? Well, turns out most of these answers are complete hogwash and people end up not getting their needs met. How many diets can a person go on? How many child raising strategies can a person try out? How many ways can I put my compost pile together? It is completely overwhelming. Few people can stick with anything for very long, thus no one gets good at anything and some of the greatest human qualities–discipline, fortitude, dedication, the ability to focus long-term–are left under-developed. So here’s my solution. People need to be empowered to trust themselves again. We don’t need someone to tell us how to sleep, eat, walk, run, talk, breath, and on and on. We are human beings; the most amazing animals nature has ever produced. Surely, each one of us has something inside that can guide us towards making good decisions.

So in addition to basic education, the kind that all people need, I offer as a solution to the ever-growing problems of our information culture: a national movement towards the empowerment of the human spirit. Believe in yourself. Look deep into your interior and find out what’s in there. Do you really like how you are handling yourself? If not, why? Take control of your actions. No book or talk show host or diet or strip-mall educated personal trainer can make your decisions for you. Empower yourself. Rant done… phew.

What Can We Do?

The study of the social impacts of technology can be demoralizing, depressing, and defeating. We’ve come so far so fast, that the forces of technology seem like forces of nature– unbending, unstoppable, massively powerful. It seems our digital culture says, get on board or risk complete irrelevance. I understand why so many people willingly, and often enthusiastically, go with the digital tide, wherever it may lead. What other choices are presented by society? No many, but they are out there. Neil Postman in “Technology: The Surrender of Culture to Technology” provides us with some concrete solutions. According to Postman, education is the solution to dealing with a digital culture that has run amok. Postman situates this education in schools. I agree with Postman wholeheartedly that education is the answer to the social problems created by technology, but I think that education can take place inside AND outside of schools. Furthermore, I think it needs to take place everywhere. What about all the people today who will never again see the inside of the classroom and are dealing with serious, technology driven issues?

So my question is, how can these people be helped? One answer I would like to explore is the development of an easily accessible philosophy that helps people make sense for themselves what is going on in the digital culture. If people could just be moved to evaluate their activities, I think we could begin to address our problems. I intend this blog to be a place where I experiment with ideas centered around the development of this philosophy.