By Mark Antony Rossi
We were naïve to expect advanced technology would have a positive impact on interpersonal understanding. It has fallen short of every measurement. Science cannot fix the future because the future will involve overcoming the weakness of flesh. The desire to improve ourselves and our relationships, whether local or global, is still the sole providence of the human heart. Its persistent failure is the foundation of human folly. We might have to accept the simple conclusion that the human condition contains a flawed set of factors unfixable by artificial means.
We must learn to launch constructive meetings instead of destructive missiles otherwise mankind is paralyzed in a daring new world of digital nothingness. Satellite signals are unimpressive when transmitting another variation of ancient division and distrust. Machines are not our enemies but we are fools to accept electronic partnership as a milestone of progress. For machines are no more revolutionary or evolutionary than toying with a domesticated animal. Passing the time might preserve one’s sanity but it also promotes passivity which rarely repairs dysfunctional behavior.
Escape is so frequently an option it has become the answer to most people whom delve into alcohol, drugs, sex or technology believing pleasure is superior to pain. But feeling good is a temporary mask that hides the disease of human disconnect. We waste our time building the better machine rather than raising the better child. How is it possible to be satisfied with a society that has smart phones and dumb parents? Technology cannot be the fall guy for feckless citizens unconcerned of their vital role in a representative democracy. The sum of our species is naught if we simply carry our fear and hostility to the Cosmos?
After scores of centuries of blood and blasphemy if we have not learned to communicate a basic message of good will to our next door neighbor then our glorious trip to the Stars is a warning to the Galaxy: Beware this lot, they have learned nothing.
About the Author: Mark Antony Rossi is a poet, playwright and author of the bioethics volume “Dark Tech” now available from Amazon. His most recent plays have been produced in Liverpool and New York. http://markantonyrossi.jigsy.com