I debated the enlightening conversation the other day. He stated that technology makes our world better rather than worse while having dinner with an executive from a Big Tech company. As a result, I requested that he provide me with five examples of how it improves our world. He came up with the following idea. First, technology has simplified our lives. Anywhere, at any time, we can locate anything. An instance? He missed the Eurostar train in Paris to London and it was the last train out. Within seconds, he managed to book a hotel and rearrange everything using his smartphone.
Second, the world is now connected by technology. We are all able to talk, trade, and trade like never before. Opportunities can be discovered and businesses built by anyone, anywhere, at any time. Third, technology has made costs as low as possible. Service costs have decreased as a result of our ability to serve ourselves and do as we please. There are no longer any physical overhead costs for businesses. That is positive. Fourth, technology enriches our lives from entertainment and media through to relationships and friendships. It’s a huge advantage that we can all communicate at any time, day or night, around the clock. Fifthly, technology has made the world more interconnected. We can order something from 5,000 miles away and have it delivered in a day or two, saving customers thousands of dollars. I sat down, listened, and considered it. Then I came back with five ways technology is making our lives worse.
First, we are online all the time and have become prisoners of our own device (ref: Hotel California). Despite the fact that we are all connected, we have no social ability despite constantly staring at our phones. Second, we never stop working. We are accessible to colleagues and bosses from midnight to midnight. There is no way out. Thirdly, we’re using up the planet. I would only shop on weekends before smartphones and the internet. Now that I can shop all day, I find that I buy things I don’t need all day. Fourth, technology is extremely narcissistic. It has made everyone’s lives worse by significantly interfering with them and, in particular, selling their lives. That brings us to the fifth and final point, which is that I am a product of Big Tech companies. My data is sold. If I get something for free, they I am the product. They abuse my data in order to sell my data to other people. We ended up discussing the detail and agreeing points on both sides. Technology and Big Tech is improving the planet, relationships and work whilst, at the same time, destroying the planet, relationships and work.
I suppose that’s the same debate that everyone has had throughout history. Simply put, this is not history. It is right now, right here. What’s next?
