Angles on Technology

I am a (future) computer scientist and employee of my university's IT department. New technology is not something that just happens. To me new inventions are a form of art. I work with, learn from, and read about individuals who solve difficult problems every day. They use creativity to accomplish tasks that would be taxing or impossible without modern technology. To me teaching a computer to effectively process information is an art. Technology allows other artists to spend more time in their desired medium, whether it be painting canvas or molding the lives of children. Technology is a good thing.

I am a (want-to-be) economist. Technology is the magical (often exogenous) force that allows output to increase while holding inputs constant. In other words, technology allows society to get more for less. Economic growth means either increased consumption, leisure, or likely a mix of both. Technology is a good thing.

I am a (always trying to be better) Latter-day Saint. People in remote parts of the world have access to the words of their spiritual leaders. The printing press makes scriptures available to all. Time saved by modern conveniences allow more family time. The Internet brings pornography, terrorism, and hateful comments.
Technology can be used for good or it can be used for evil. Just as in any age of the world, life is largely what we make of it. Perhaps the mere availability and speed of information magnify our virtues and vices, but it is up to me to make the best of what is available, just as much in this Information Age as it would have been in Ancient Israel. Technology can be a good thing.

These articles illuminated my post: http://search.epnet.com.erl.lib.byu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&an=1460672 http://itrs.scu.edu/tshanks/pages/Comm12/12Postman.htm http://search.epnet.com.erl.lib.byu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=8637555 http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/2001.htm/ensign%20may%202001.htm/focus%20and%20priorities.htm