The Curse of Technology

What can be wrong with technology? We can get instant printout, instant handout, instant photo, instant messaging, instant access, etc.

With modern technology, the advent of new media, internet, sms, msn, 3G phones, we are able to communicate more freely, accomplish more on the move, know more. In fact some netizens were toying with the idea that technology has empowered mankind to such an extent that we have become like God – we can access worldwide information (all knowing), we can be connected to everywhere in the world (omnipresent), and thus we can be all powerful (omnipotent).

Lifestyle has truly improved a lot as a result of technology. So WHAT can be wrong?

As in all things, over-reliance on things, can rob us of true dependence on God and His design in our lives.

One potential curse would be the lack of in-depth sharing. With the presence of multimedia and means, we are able to communicate quickly and to many people at any one time. But because we are receiving signals at such neck-breaking speed, we are pressured to response immediately as well. Thus limit us from truly reflecting on the message received and thereby also limiting us from responding wisely.javascript:void(0)
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The other potential curse is the over stimulation of our sensory. We are bombarded with millions of signals; from audio to visual. We are no longer drawn to simple pictures and scenery. We need 3D animations, great graphics, powerful sound system for us to “feel” right. This curse affects us subtly yet powerfully ie almost all areas of lives are affected. We need more to feel intimate/connected with God and loved ones, we need more decibels to hear, we need more visual to stay focused.

Another potential curse which disturbed me a great deal is the false sense of security. With laptop and palmtop, we feel no need for memory. Everything we need is within our “palm” or “lap”. Thus, the decline in our effort to memorise scriptures, important words, etc. we feel ok because we have the bible software, we have internet access, we have data storage. But scripture reminded us in Rom 12 that we are transformed by the renewing of our MIND. We need to use our MIND not Macs/Microsoft. We learn by thinking and reflecting on what we hear and receive and not saving the information into our hard disks. Our hard disks cannot change our lives….. only the living Word WILL, through the renewing of our minds.

So throw all gadgets away? No! give them to me! Haha..you know I am joking.
I believe the answer is to stay balanced. We need to know that we need to appreciate the creative energy that God has blessed humanity with. But they are not meant to rob us of appropriate worship. They are meant to aid us in worship. Thus, we need to live simply and not be overly dependent on the cleverness of man or the invention of man.