UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Yesterday's post ADDICTED TO DISTRACTION got me to wondering how technology may be subtly changing our lives, so I ordered this book.

My interest was increased after reading the following excerpts by Neil Postman about Huxley and Orwell. Check this out:

"In Huxley's vision, as he saw it, people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.

What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. 

As Huxley remarked in Brave New World Revisited, the rationalists "failed to take into account man's almost infinite appetite for distractions." In 1984, Orwell added, people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that what we fear will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we desire will ruin us." 

Just a few of the distractions in my life right now. (not the girl)

All of this makes me wonder if there is enough reflection on the unintended consequences of technology, that is, what technology is doing to our lives. 

Link to yesterday's post Click HERE. 

More posts later today.