Reflections on the Role of Technology

This is only loosely related to economics, but I thought I'd post anyways.

Bar all ethical consideration. What does technology serve to accomplish? Groopman seems to suggest that technology can be best utilized to aid the weak and the under-endowed. But in terms of evolution, such a goal is not noble. Consider, for a moment, the generally accepted doctrine that is natural selection. Under this theory, those that are apt to survive do so, and those who aren’t don’t. The elimination of the weak ensures the strength of future generations. With this consideration in mind, the problem becomes clear. If technology serves to aid the weak and elimination of the weak is necessary for evolution, then logic dictates that technology serves to hinder the progress of evolution. Such a conclusion is unnerving, and according to most, simply untrue. I am certainly no proponent of eugenics. So wherein lies the flaw?

The problem is that this model of technology’s role is overly simplified. In fact, technology (and by extension the use of machines) not only augments everyday life, but progresses human civilization as a whole.

The first part of this claim is rather easy to prove. Can anybody honestly deny that the computer or the automobile has increased mankind’s standard of living? What about the light bulb? The refrigerator? The fact of the matter is simply that new technology makes life easier, makes people more efficient. This is why economists put such a large emphasis on technological advancement; it empowers people to produce more given the natural constraint of time. For example, take something as primitive as eating. In the days of the hunters and gatherers, the majority of a person’s day was used towards salvaging enough food to survive.

Fast forward a few thousand years. A single human is now able to produce enough food to feed a thousand. All made possible through the use of machines.

Now consider technology from a social perspective. Quite frankly, I have never fully understood those that claim technology as the death of human interaction. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Think back to the days before cars, before airplanes, before telephones. Human interaction in those days was tribal and familial in nature; after all, if one wanted to interact with someone over a span of many miles, he had to get there first. Enter telephone, stage right. A message that before took days and weeks to deliver could not be delivered at a moment’s notice. Interaction between humans became instantaneous.

Some, of course, will claim that I am only discussing the beneficial extreme of technology. Yes, tools such as the airplane have advanced society, but surely evil killer robots will one day rule the planet.

But if I am to blame for only presenting best extreme of technological progress, these people are equally worthy of criticism for only presenting the worst. The truth is that our world is still light years away from a Surrogates style robot civilization. The truth is that artificial intelligence to the likes of Jarvis from Iron Man still ceases to exist. The truth is that probability wise, the chances of technology forever saving mankind is just as likely as the chances of technology destroying it. The truth is, nobody knows.

The only thing that we do know for sure is that technology will progress. And as technology progresses, so will mankind. I realize that this is a direct contradiction to my earlier conclusion about evolution; this is no mistake. There is one key, fatal flaw to my original logic. It is true that the evolution of mankind would be hindered if technology served only to aid the weak. However, technology does much more than that. Technology does not only serve to aid the weak, it serves to improve the weak. With the powers of modern technology, an individual who would normally be a drag on society can be productive and useful. A diabetic that would normally not survive can now lead a successful life as an engineer. A paraplegic can now be a world renowned doctor. Society can now find a place for the weak. But why stop there? With the advent of gene therapy, one day humans will be able to choose the genes that they want. Technology has, quite simply, made it possible for humans to transcend the bounds of traditional evolution.

So at the end of the day, what does technology serve to accomplish? What do machines contribute to our lives? On a personal level, they make our lives easier and make us more productive. On a societal level, they enable the human race to expand and grow beyond the limits designated by traditional theories. And one day, when I am sitting in my space car on my way to work on mars, I’ll reread this essay and ask myself: was any of this ever in doubt?