Drawbacks of Technology
Pope Leo XIII, in Rerum Novarum, presented his ideas for the right use of property and money (RN 23). At that time in the 1890s, the electric light, the gasoline powered car, the radio, and subways were cutting edge inventions. Technology was not a major concern. Some 60 years later, technological inventions began to seep into the realm of providing entertainment from just providing productivity. Pope Pius XII, in commenting on the disharmony in the world in his Christmas Address of 1957, points to the misuse of technology as one of the roots of pessimism and despair. What role does technology play in the vices of humanity and what does this say about the new technologies that have been invented since?
Pius juxtaposes the message of joy from the angels to the shepherds on Christmas day to the feeling that his audience felt when hearing “the news of the latest technical marvels” (231). While Pius is most likely referring to weapons, he might also be referring to other far less violent, but still destructive forms of technology that separates the family, namely the television. Gone is the familial environment that Pope Pius and his generation were raised in. Now, “I Love Lucy” could dictates when a family spends time together, “The $64,000 Question” could take away from the every day questions between family members, and “dark” movies could be seen during “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” that may shock.
Though the landscape of television programming and the availability of the television are far different now than it was then, television nevertheless took the place of some family time. Pius contends that “the man born and educated in surroundings of strict technology … will necessarily be lacking a part, and not the least important, of his complete being, as if it had been atrophied by conditions opposed to his natural development” (233). This is a serious allegation that some technology, or at least a concentration of technology, is so opposed to natural development that it wastes away an important part of what makes a human a complete human. He further goes on to say that such an upbringing “[deprives] man of his true form of though, judgment and action” (233). Perhaps the increase in popularity of the television gave parents a free pass on a few nights a week. Instead of bonding with family or with friends in a traditional manner, time is spent in silence staring at a screen and bonding through watching others live false lives.
Although this is an entirely American view, Pius does discuss technology that has a similar effect on the family and society as the televisions. He mentions that man has a tendency “to accept the questionable and erroneous so long as these bring within his grasp the promise of an easier life” (233). He gives the example of the speed of machines. As machines speed up, those who operate these machines will no doubt want and expect a similar increase in speed in the other aspects in life. After all, why should work be the only place where things speed up? Because of this, things at home and particularly within the family are sped up to get results sooner and on demand. Pius warns about speeding up “things which are not susceptible to quick changes” (234). Amongst these things, perhaps we can include befriending a person, praying, and food preparation. These examples all require time. It is impossible to become best friends with someone over the course of several days, praying fast is not always the most pious approach, and, the want for faster food has caused additives to be added to food which are harmful to health. What this increase in speed does is cause a sense of impatience to grow in the individual, which eventually leads to blaming others for the slowness of things and disunity amongst family and the larger social structures in a nation. Moreover, when people are hustling all over with concern for their time, they pay less attention to the people around them and more attention to the watch on them. And “[man] is more important than mere things” (165).
Pius message does not just speak to his generation, though. His words echo in our time of hustle and bustle. “As men realize the extent and the effects of the new knowledge [of technology], this unheard-of invasion of the greatest and tiniest elements of the universe tortures them with a genuine anxiety. They come to wonder if they will preserve their own control over the world, or if they will not fall victim of their own progress” (231). Just as we must not let our possessions posses us, we must not let our progress digress us. Just as we must invest superfluous money to make new jobs that are “really useful” (Quadragesimo Anno 51), we “must be convinced that every resolution concerning the development [of technology] within the scope of man’s ability ought to be made with due considerations for the preservation of order and harmony in the world” (245). Investments to military innovations come to mind when reading this passage. Technology could be better spent on other things, such as infrastructures in poor countries, foodstuffs for the hungry, or a host of other things.
Pius’ warnings about technology that cripples an individual make even more sense when taken in contemporary light. Instead of interacting with individuals in person, our American society puts an emphasis on impersonal interaction, which has been discussed ad nauseam in class with the Facebook and IM discussion. This, undoubtedly, creates disunity amongst communities. When God-given necessary communication aspects, such as intonation of voice and body language, are subtracted from a discussion, something is lost that is distinctly human. Of course, that is not to say that those who require special assistance to communicate should be looked down upon. This is actually an example of good use of technology. But, telling mom “I love you” in an e-mail, a phone call, and in person is three very different things. Technology makes it “easier” to say bold words to individuals, but these words loose some of their meaning. No doubt, this is an example to one of the warnings given by Pius against technology that allows for easier life (233). This impersonal, albeit easier, conversations can and often are misconstrued by the two parties involved because they are missing what makes human communication, human – sensual interaction with another being.
Television, no doubt, has gotten worse. When combined with the other more popular form of mass media, the Internet, Pius’ words still ring true today. Parents who plop their bundles of joy in front of the television-turned-babysitter are doing their children no favors. In doing so, they “[banish] some values and essential elements from the life of families” (233). This implicitly teaches their children impersonal communication is preferable over personal communication. When these parents do not do their job in educating their child, it teaches children irresponsibility, as the education and upbringing of children falls primarily on the shoulders of the parents and one of the most essential elements of life is missing – something is awry.
As technology progresses, the gap between humans widens and shortens. It shortens because mass communication allows for more people to be exposed to more humans, but it widens because the Internet allows for an impersonal communication that “[cuts] him off from the rest of the universe” (233). Although I can sit apart from the free world and communicate with 8 people at the same time on IM, we should not strive for quantity of communication, but for quality. This physical disconnection with other human beings “fashions [us] to [our] own characteristics of which the most notable are superficiality and instability” (233), and leads us to doubt everything including ourselves. Doubt leads to fear, and fear is contrary to the greatest of all virtues, love.
I would have to say as a sort of PS, that most technology is not intrinsicly evil. It's how people use it and how people don't use moderation. Just like for alcohol, and everything else, moderation is needed.--
Time to fill out my ND visions application. We'll see if I get in this year. If not, no big deal.
That said, I really want to. Pray for me, please. For His Glory,
Isaac
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