Dystopian View of Technology’s Interaction with Society

Dystopian View of Technology’s Interaction with Society

Luddism

Technological advancement has faced numerous challenges ever since its emergence. Although every technology is meant to provide a positive change, it also possesses some cons which become a point of argument for many anti-technology activists. For example, Luddite is a term commonly used to refer to ignorantly anti-technology people (Slack and John 77). Although these groups of people provide enough reason to be against technology, their primary aim is to oppose development, especially in terms of technological advancement. From 1811 to 1817, a group of Luddite skilled workers and artisans in England joined together to form the Luddism movement (Slack and John 79). This group opposed the change in capitalist nature that changed the role of workers in the development of industrialism and the development of technology. This group of people preferred a mutual relationship between workers and employers. Thus, the employers had no right to pursue profitable gains at the expense of the workers. The primary solution for this issue would be to implement technological changes without affecting the workers. In most cases, technology should not be employed to replace workers but rather to make their work more effective. Thus, the industries should not have had the notion of using technology to replace workers but rather to make their more efficient (Bessen 17). Although there was a need to improve manufacturing through the use of technology, Luddism was escalated by the fact that technology replaced human labor. Thus, the only way to prevent such was through either using technology in conjunction with human labor or using the technology to create other labor demanding tasks necessary to keep workers occupied.

Alternate Technologies

The alternative technology, also referred to as appropriate technology, opposes technological advancement in defense of a particular technology preferably used to achieve a specific goal (Slack and John 87). Whereas other oppositions to technology such as Luddism is illegal, alternative technology is legal. This way of opposing changes avoids technology changing the moral intension of the world. Besides, it resists technology working in service of profit at the expense of quality of life (Slack and John 88). Although the alternative technology offers a legit way of resisting technological advancement, it is said to slow industrialization.

Although alternative technology works for the best of the community, there is a better way of implementing it rather than making it an obstacle to industrial development. First, instead of emphasizing a certain technique of doing things, it would be better if there were established standards of the expected outcome that defines a technology to fit as appropriate. Such standards would be the guideline for innovators when communing up with new devices. Besides, it would allow technological advancement while preserving specific standards. As indicated by Bessen, without regulations, technology could offer more suffering than benefits (15). Thus, there is a need to establish asset standards that should be maintained but allow different changes in technology. For instance, climate change is currently a significant concern across the globe. Although there are traditional machines that advocate for environmental conservation, that should not necessity these machines to be used centuries to come. However, if rule and regulation regarding waste emission of environmental pollution could be set, there will be room for the development of better machines in the future that still conserves the environment. Besides, other innovators would be able to come up with better machines that measure the given requirement.

Unabomber’s or FC

The Unabomber or Freedom Club (FC) is among the early anti-technology group. FC is an organization believed to write papers, particularly to newspapers and individuals expressing their frustration with the change in industrial technology (Slack and John 97-98). Theodore (“Ted”) Kaczynski, who is believed to be the mastermind behind this critique of technological culture, bombed numerous places, especially universities and the airline industry, in protest against technology in industries.  According to Unabomber, technology serves northing rather than contributing significantly to inequality in society (Slack and John 100). Instead of posing positive results, technology is a disaster for the human race. Technology has increased life expectancy for people in advanced countries while bringing instability to society. Besides, it has further led to widespread psychological suffering inflicting severe damage to the world. In general, Unabomber seemed to advocate against the overdependence of technology that would enslave people. According to Cooper, there is a possibility of being enslaved by technology if we over-rely on it (9). Thus to prevent the adverse effects of technology highlighted by Unabomber, community enlightenment and education on technology would be necessary. Such would make people learn the best way to use embrace technology change without necessarily depending on it.

Works Cited

Bessen, James E. “Automation and jobs: When technology boosts employment.” Boston Univ. School of Law, Law, and Economics Research Paper 17-09 (2017).

Cooper, David E. “Technology: Liberation or enslavement?.” Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplements 38 (1995): 7-18.

Slack, Jennifer Daryl, and John Macgregor Wise. Culture+ technology: A primer. Peter Lang, 2005.