It is said that the smart phones are facilitating our transition into the fourth industrial revolution, where more and more of our life (time) becomes dependent on technology, and one can certainly see it happening even today. It’s actually quite alarming to see just how dependent we are becoming on smart phones, but what is even more alarming is just how fast all of this is happening before our eyes. Of course, the majority of people seem to be excited and openly welcome this new frontier, but there are also some concerns about the effect that technology has on the quality of our lives, and on us; and that is, by making it more convenient for us it is also making us more addicted and dependent on it. And most people don’t even notice it, or dismiss it as irrelevant. The gain seems more than loss. But is it? What is gained and what is lost? I really think that with time, people are going have even less and less will power, or actual choice, in this matter; in other words, technology will eventually completely control people, and not the other way around.
I had a conversation about this once, and the guy was actually looking forward to living in virtual worlds, ala matrix, in which all senses are incorporated completely. I think he may be expressing the view of the majority of people, too. In his counter argument, he questioned reality itself and dream states, comparing the two. (How do you know you are not dreaming now, or not in a simulated world, etc?) Scary stuff, and scary because it can become reality for many, people living in virtual worlds, declaring all realities as possibly virtual, including own concept of self. Who or what is even talking? Who knows? And so my point is, how is this different from becoming a drugged up slave?
Another question is to what degree it is by choice, or are we that helpless in this process? I mean, will there be a point where technology, in its “race to the brain stem” will reach a sophistication level where a person would have no chance of saying no, or have any sort of free will? Will it be like waking up inside a dream, or saying “no” without any actual difference happening, or eventual re-routing back to virtual world? And what can we say of such person? If a wolf chooses to eat man’s food, does he also choose to become a dog? Who knows, maybe we’ll come to the point where people will be born addicted to technology, or even to particular brands (how soon can you start conditioning human beings?) Remember this Ford ad? Why not go even further, say to a fetal level? What would then be difference between brand loyalty and branded slavery, or who will own whom? And why not go go down on biological level (maybe even genetic level), I mean, brand loyalty on genetic level…why not? Might we eventually become like Chihuahuas and poodles of the canine world, bred for a particular purpose? This is a possibility because the principle is the same, the Pavlovian reward, and people blindly go for it, consenting.
Anyway, here are some videos addressing the issue of smart phone addiction epidemic:
youtube.com/watch?v=MacJ4p0vITM
60 Minutes had an episode on it too:
youtube.com/watch?v=AqFxCf_0sW4
This guy, Tristan Harris, is offering an alternative in technology design that he believes will give people more choice and control over technology. Although it sounds like a good idea, I also can’t help but think that he also may be trying to create a new market niche, the “organic” or “humane” version of technology. So, in the end, will this be like choosing between Naked Juice and Pepsi? Will he just open a new door in the same house? I mean, could this just become a new, alternative addiction, or brand loyalty?
youtube.com/watch?v=jT5rRh9AZf4