4 ms·

We're continually creating our own demise. As much as technology has been intended to extend our life, it's more often just used to extend someone's wallet, and

by spraak 10y ago

We're continually creating our own demise. As much as technology has been intended to extend our life, it's more often just used to extend someone's wallet, and trash everything else.

quakeguy 10y ago
As hard as it seems to acknowledge, but i think you are right. Greed and individual(or corporate) growths always had the biggest influence on the planet. We are indeed doomed should this trend continue. I see no signs this trend will stop.
- deelowe 10y ago
  I think it's less greed and more simple population growth. These technologies were invented in the name of efficiency. We all have a bit of the burden to share here. For example, fishing line. What would happen if we banned this? I think there might be dire consequences for cultures that depend on seafood for sustenance.
  - emodendroket 10y ago
    Was it solely population growth that led oil concerns to hide their own research into greenhouse gases and also fund research to undermine efforts to restrict emissions?
    - throwaway18917 10y ago
      No, but you're not allowed to criticize unfettered late-stage capitalism on Hacker News because MUH GROWTH.
  - gech 10y ago
    Don't just dismiss it. If your business plan requires you to lobby against science and the public good, then we have a problem.
to_bpr 10y ago
It does extend our life - or at least does such a wonderful job of providing that illusion that we, as a species, will turn a blind eye to unfathomable levels of destruction to the environment, all other species and indeed many of our own species (once adequately separated) in the name of consuming these technologies or their output.
NoGravitas 10y ago
It's not the technology per se. Technology is an expression of a culture (google Lewis Mumford and Murray Bookchin). It's our culture (late stage capitalism) that is creating our own demise. We have a responsibility to grow/evolve a new culture and develop the technology that enables that culture.

by spraak 10y ago

We're continually creating our own demise. As much as technology has been intended to extend our life, it's more often just used to extend someone's wallet, and trash everything else.

quakeguy 10y ago

As hard as it seems to acknowledge, but i think you are right. Greed and individual(or corporate) growths always had the biggest influence on the planet. We are indeed doomed should this trend continue. I see no signs this trend will stop.

deelowe 10y ago
I think it's less greed and more simple population growth. These technologies were invented in the name of efficiency. We all have a bit of the burden to share here. For example, fishing line. What would happen if we banned this? I think there might be dire consequences for cultures that depend on seafood for sustenance.
- emodendroket 10y ago
  Was it solely population growth that led oil concerns to hide their own research into greenhouse gases and also fund research to undermine efforts to restrict emissions?
  - throwaway18917 10y ago
    No, but you're not allowed to criticize unfettered late-stage capitalism on Hacker News because MUH GROWTH.
- gech 10y ago
  Don't just dismiss it. If your business plan requires you to lobby against science and the public good, then we have a problem.

to_bpr 10y ago

It does extend our life - or at least does such a wonderful job of providing that illusion that we, as a species, will turn a blind eye to unfathomable levels of destruction to the environment, all other species and indeed many of our own species (once adequately separated) in the name of consuming these technologies or their output.

NoGravitas 10y ago

It's not the technology per se. Technology is an expression of a culture (google Lewis Mumford and Murray Bookchin). It's our culture (late stage capitalism) that is creating our own demise. We have a responsibility to grow/evolve a new culture and develop the technology that enables that culture.