The Titanic of Technology: Navigating the risks in a digital era

The contemporary world is enveloped in technology. Have you ever wondered what life would be like without it? Certainly not, contemplating life without technology is challenging because we have become exceedingly reliant on it. Experts are even considering introducing technology to the animal kingdom through Artificial Intelligence.

Besides, many movies like ‘The Terminator’, ‘The Matrix’ etc. have explored what would happen if computers become self-aware. However, we often overlook a crucial perspective. An excerpt from a renowned science encyclopedia reads as follows: “For the Homo Neanderthal its cousin, the homo sapiens, was an abomination. However, the emergence of the Homo sapiens was followed by the immediate extinction of its less evolved kin.”

What this basically underlines is one of nature’s most ancient rules, “Survival of the fittest”. Amongst humans, the above rule is not only considered cruel but also inhumane. But isn’t that the point? Humans will be the next Homo Neanderthal and the machine will be the next Homo sapiens. But this case is not compulsory. In fact, humans can coexist with machines.

“….the micro-plant called algae was one of the first living organisms, yet it still survives. It has adapted itself to live amongst the changing world around it, adjusting to the emergence of the palm tree, the dinosaur, to the concrete jungle of humanity and it will likely persist even after us.” 

Some technological developments are promising, such as the use of the brain implants to control patients suffering from aggressive diseases like Schizophrenia. Yet, there are also instances of the exploitation of technology, such as use of chemically induced drugs, which amplifies the user’s enjoyment but concurrently deteriorates their neural and muscular systems.

In conclusion, we are on the Titanic called technology; it is the sea into which we bravely venture out. If we do not heed to the warnings, we will hit an iceberg and I think we know how that story ends.