Technological Paradox

The technological paradox is an age-old concept whenever discussions arise as to the usefulness of technological advancements in our culture.  Basically, it states that humans reached a point in their existence when they had no leisure time.  They were forced to work all the time to survive.  So, they used technology to invent ways to do their jobs faster and easier.  This allowed them more leisure time.  It worked for a while, until humans realized that with the extra leisure time, they could work more and make even more money.  However, this brought them right back to where they started.

So, they invented more things to help make their jobs faster and easier.  Which gave them more leisure time again.  But then after a while, they realized they could use the extra time to work more and make more money.  And so the cycle goes on and on.

I was asked recently if I thought technology had made our lives better or worse.  There are tons of examples all around as to how technology has made our lives easier.  But are the side effects really worth it?  I’m going to use two examples to illustrate my point…I’m fat, and the kid at the check-out lane can’t make change. 

I work like most of the world in an office at a computer.  I rarely leave my desk, because to be honest I have no need.  If I want to talk to someone two desks away, then I just send them an instant message.  I have e-mail, phone, web conferencing…every form of communication within arm’s length.  In addition, the product that comes from my labors is virtual, not physical, as we write software, so the most workout I get is with my fingertips.  The consequences of this total lack of needing to move…I’ve put on 50 pounds since I got out of college.

I was at the store the other day paying for groceries.  The total came to $11.67, and I handed the kid at the check-out a $20 bill.  He punched the $20 button on the register, and it spit back a number, $8.33.  He jumped right in to pulling out my change.  He grabbed a $5 bill, then froze.  He looked back up to the display, then grabbed three $1 bills.  Then, he froze.  He looked back at the display, then grabbed three pennies and three dimes.  The show of confidence as he handed me my receipt and change indicated that the kid had no clue that he could have given me a quarter and nickel instead of three dimes.  A sixteen year-old kid can’t make change in his head, nor does he know how to make change with the least number of coins.  The Subway near my office eliminated that problem.  The cash register automatically spits out the correct change into a little bowl at its side when the checker hits the total key.  I guess they were having serious problems with people giving out an incorrect amount of change.

I see a lot of benefits to how technology has made our lives easier, but as a side effect we have become less physically active and in some cases, stupider.  Not to mention that we have become so dependent on technology that we can’t do the simplest, most basic tasks on our own anymore.  If you don’t believe me, try doing math in your head without a calculator or some formula on a spreadsheet.  Wash your clothes by hand.  Pump up your tires with a hand pump.

I think the worst example of technology spoiling us is evident in the fact that my brother can’t go tent camping without an air mattress and portable air conditioner.  He’s such a wuss.  I never bring that kind of crap with me when I stay in my luxury cabin with queen-sized bed, full kitchen, and fireplace.