TECHNOLOGY, SAVIOUR OR DESTROYER

For those of you that are a “certain age” think back, maybe thirty years or so, no computers, no mobile phones, no instant messaging, no MP3 players, no digital TV, no cable or satellite TV, cars that didn’t need massive diagnostic computers to find out what was wrong, no digital cameras, no emails no spamming and no blogging.

Wasn’t it great, I suppose the biggest “step forward” is the computer, as most of the other things came into being from the “one eyed monster”.

Don’t get me wrong, I like computers; they are an extremely useful tool, but that is all they are: a tool.

And without technology we wouldn’t have things like CT or MRI scans, or most of the other medical equipment available today.

But we also wouldn’t have things such as the latest balls up with the economy, because there wouldn’t be the instant communication that started the panic and greed.

Then again we wouldn’t have access to the web, or online shopping, or to the vast amount of information that we have now.

But we also wouldn’t have the incessant deluge of crap that swarms into our “inboxes” or the endless battering of our senses by the adverts on the TV, be it LCD, Plasma or CRT.

Then again we wouldn’t know what was happening across the world, most of which unfortunately is bad news.

But we also wouldn’t know what was happening across the world, most of which unfortunately is bad news.

Then again we wouldn’t have the pleasure of communicating with friends and family instantaneously all across the world.

But we also wouldn’t have lost the pleasure of writing and receiving letters from friends and family across the world landing on our doormat.

Then again we wouldn’t be able to “bank online” or pay bills or Car tax instantly, or make appointments with the Doctor or Hospital from the comfort of our own homes.

But we also wouldn’t have lost the chance to actually meet people to do these things.

I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the point, life was slower then and a bit more “civilised” I think, now all you see are people rushing around with Mini Microwaves attached to their ears, intent only on their own business.

I don’t know, my own preference is for a bit less technology and a lot more humanity.

Angus