Tools, Technology, and Human Identity

Core 155

Spring 2005

I.               Initial question:  Understanding our theme, “Technology and the Making of Humanity,” requires us to pause and reflect on the meaning of the word ‘technology’ and the meaning of the word ‘humanity’.  ‘Humanity’ seems easy.  What of ‘technology’?

II.                 Let’s start by thinking about the place of this notion in our lives. It would seem that technology is something we create, and so is to be contrasted with the natural.  In particular, there is great interest in the things we create to make our lives easier---these days, that is often information technology, such as computers, etc.  Attention is lavished on the latest, the fastest, the smallest, the most convenient, etc.

III.               This tendency encourages a certain attitude toward technology, viz., that it is here for our benefit.  We can take it or leave it---“We could quit if we wanted”---but why go off the grid when that means no more latte?

IV.              But is this attitude an accurate depiction of our relationship with technology?  Is it really us-versus-it?

V.                One lesson of our program to date is that this is not the way it seems to work.  Technology changes us, and the new us then turns right around and changes technology. 

A.     Try to imagine your life stripped of all technological trappings---can this be done?

B.     There would appear to be a deep and intricate symbiosis here---we create ways and means to influence and control the world of our experience, and these bits and pieces of technology then support new goals for us, new possibilities, and most importantly, new identities.

C.     What is the reach of this symbiotic relationship?  How deep does it go?  Concrete creations count, surely, but why stop at the concrete?  Why not allow for abstract technologies? 

D.     Think of technology as a human reflex---it is the natural product of our creative movement through the world.