Postman’s comments about how technology has made doctors less competent, I do not agree with that. I do not think doctors lean too heavily on technology. Do I think doctors are more competent due to technology? Yes I do. I think of all those people who have died and suffered because our advancements had yet to be invented. As I stated in my last blog, Postman goes for the dramatic, leaning heavily on the negative extreme. Sure technology can be used too much, but most doctors use technology as a tool, so that humans live a longer better life. (p. 100-106)
Where I do agree with Postman is the over use of words and symbols to the point where they “are stripped of their power”. (p. 166) Postman states, “…Uncle Sam, God, or Jesus is employed as an agent of the profane world for an essentially trivial purpose”. (p. 167) Like obscene (bad) language, when we hear or see something over and over, we begin to not notice it anymore. Over use of words or images weakens its impact and as human beings we need to step back and remember its importance.
Postman goes on to write, “With the erosion of symbols there follows a loss of narrative, which is one of the most debilitating consequences of Technopoly’s power”. (p. 171) This loss takes away the importance of our past, our present and definitely our future. (p. 172) Also, with the loss of images, important symbols, then life has no meaning because then we have nothing to strive or go after.
I think technology is an important part of our culture. It entertains as well as makes life easier. Of course, where there is money to be made, someone will over produce the very tool that has made life easier. It will turn this tool into something ugly, if we are not careful. Going back to the basics is not the answer. It does not work anyway, because cultures move forward, not backwards.
Janet great post in regards to the conclusion of Postman's book. In my opinion Postman thinks that culture always pays a price for technology. He views technology as a strange intruder; reminding us that technology was created by humans and with that in mind whether it has a good or evil outcome we need to be aware of what technology does to us and for us.
ReplyDeleteJanet, I agree, especially when it comes to doctors and medical professionals using technology. Think back to the life expectancy 100 years ago, and to what one's life expectancy is now. I believe that there are several factors that this can be attributed to, and technology is one of them. With all the advances, we can diagnose and treat illnesses and diseases that shortened our lives in the past. In addition to the diagnosis and treatment of illness and disease, we can do research and learn about preventing such illnesses. We can do this online, from the comfort of our own homes, thanks to technology.
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