Usually we all fall back on the assumption that technology will save us, and all our fears are unfounded. One of the first readings we did pointed out the flaw in this philosophy, that our faith in technology usually results in a deeper crisis created by the new knowledge.
When the automobile was invented it was called the “horseless carriage.” What was not to love about it? It left the streets clean, was much faster, and much more comfortable. This new technology was a giant leap in possibilities that changed every aspect of mankind: the way we fight wars, where we lived, and what we ate. Little did we know that the automobile would eventually lead to our downfall, the addiction of the American population on gasoline.
The gasoline crisis has led to branching out of technologies to replace our infatuation with oil. Ethanol, electric cars, hybrids have become the new substitute good, but they come with their own sets of issues to solve. It takes more energy to convert corn into ethanol than it saves us to use it.
I don’t think technology is going to save us, its just going to stave off a real crisis until we make substantial lifestyle changes. I don’t think technology is a bad thing, I’m not going to be giving up my flushing toilet anytime soon, but we definitely need to examine the repercussions of our actions more closely.
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