Over-reliance on technology: LiveSimplicity discussion forum

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Have we as a society become too reliant on technology to solve all of our problems? Shouldn't it be up to us to make smart everyday choices to make our lives less complex?

View A

Human ingenuity has allowed us to use technology to simplify our lives more than we've ever thought imaginable. Technology has made allowed us to live more comfortable and enjoyable lives.

View B

Simplicity is about making indivual choices in all aspects of our lives that reduce complexity. Technology only plays a small role in this process and, at times, can even make things more complex.

6 comment(s) so far

vanoort thinks: As Jared Diamond, author of "Collapse", put it: "Most of our present-day problems are caused by technology".

johndi thinks: It's certainly a double edged sword. In countless ways technology has made our lives easier, allowed us to live longer, and has created a true globabl society, but at the same time it has made us more unhealthy, more dependent, and more isolated than ever before. True, we rely on technology maybe too much, but this sacrifice is the cost of moving forward.

annbanan24 thinks: Let's face it, we're not going to move backward. We're not seeing massive increases in the members of Amish communities. And if we're not willing to give up our modern conveniences, then we've got to figure out a way of making technology work for us without ruining the Earth or lowering our quality of life. Why do view A and view B have to be mutually exclusive? Yes, technology has been at the root of our problems. But it can also be a solution. The problem is not the technology itself, it's our failure to control it and make sure it develops in beneficial ways. This could be helped a lot if governments subsidized research and development for beneficial technologies that the market cannot provide.

phodi thinks: It seems that the main economic objective of each nation is to increase the production of services and good that in turn prolong our lives and happiness. Their aim is to make our lives more efficient and 'easier'. This is relatively obvious. If we are aiming for progression in technology will the end result be an entire reliance, not only physically, but emotionally on technology? Eventually, will all these advancements not lead to us no longer needing our bodies, whilst a computer or other device provides us with our emotional needs such as happiness? I know this seems particularly farfetchd and do be aware that I am not taking into account any global catastrophes, but that surely must be the end result of perfected technology.

clo thinks: I think we are in the infant stages of where technology can take us. We have only just started using technology in a widespread way over the last two decades. I'd consider these the early stages where growing pains are inevitable. As technology progresses, we can be sure that it will be easier to use and will greatly improve our lives.

JBonnin thinks: One thing: I am pretty sure "technology only plays a small role in this process"... what matters is to make the best out of this small part!