E-Portfolio for Ashwin Telukuntla

Ashwin Telukuntla

Technology in New England

Professor Deese

Section EF

Essay 4

What thoughts would spring into your mind if you were sitting on the moon staring at our spectacular planet? Would you think about the future of Earth or just gaze at its majestic beauty? Now imagine spending this moment with three influential authors, historian David E. Nye, historian Carolyn Merchant and environmentalist Rachel Carson. While sitting at Lunar Sands Casino with these three scholars, a bet is created on the future of the Earth in year 2064. From interpretations of various essay’s written by Nye, it is likely that Nye would say that the future of the Earth depends on the path of science and technology. Merchant would take the stance that the Earth will be worse off than it is today and Carson would likely agree with Merchant in that the Earth is heading towards its doom. I believe that the Earth may be better off in 2064 than it is today due to the large emphasis that is currently being placed on positive environmental actions and efficiency increasing technologies.

By 2064, the world has the option of two separate fates: prosperity or destruction. Nye would say that the future of the planet depends heavily on the course of science and technology in the upcoming years. If technology and innovations continue toward the “bigger is better” philosophy and disregard any environmental or social consequences, the Earth in 50 years will be that of a planet in shambles. However, if technology and innovations prioritize a level of green and efficiency while maintaining a strong environmentally conscious agenda, the future of the Earth could be that as seen on the Jetsons. Although Nye focuses heavily on science and technology as a future predictor of Earth, he also would agree that various societies cultures would drastically alter the planets future. For instance, if people on the planet wanted to wear only natural fibers and eat meat on a daily basis, the Earth’s resources would be depleted at exponential rate compared to if people were willing to wear synthetic fibers and consume meat less frequently. If an accurate prediction could be made about the future of technological and cultural preferences, Nye would make a stronger and clearer claim about the state of our planet in 2064.

Although Nye does not seem to take a firm side on the bet, Merchant would take a clear side on the future of the Earth. Merchant believes that mechanism and capitalism are emptying our resources at a rapid pace. In her book, Ecological Revolutions, she explains all the harm we are currently causing our planet. Such as the massive amounts of damage to the ozone layer that was caused by the use of CFC’s (Chlorofluorocarbons). CFC’s are emitted with Styrofoam, refrigerators and aerosol sprays. Today, there has been more of an effort to reduce or eliminate this molecule from everyday products. In the eyes of Merchant, one can assume the Earth in 2064 will look similar to that of planet Venus. Merchant was very active in the mid-late 20^th century and many of her assumptions are based of that time period. If Merchant considered many of the new paths taken by societies today, her belief may differ but in accordance to her writings, Merchant does not have faith in this planets future.

The debate of whether technology controls controls humans or whether humans control technology has been an ongoing argument for centuries. This never-ending dispute has become more prevalent over the last two centuries in the United States after the Industrial Revolution drastically changed American life. In Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem, "Ode, Inscribed to William H. Channing," Emerson portrays technology as its own force in the world and humans are essentially taken for the ride. Although many agree with this theory, David E. Nye thinks otherwise. In his essay, "Does Technology Control US," Nye believes that technology is not at all its own natural force, rather a force controlled by humans. He believes humans have the ability to reject or accept technologies based on their own will, but the temptations of the latest technology causes people to adopt many of the new creations. Although technology is very established in our society, I do not believe technology has a force entirely of its own; technology is created by humans, therefore humans have the ability to control what they create.

In the eyes of Emerson, technology has humans tied to its will and controls the ones who created it. He believes the human world does not have the power to control it, or tame it and technology essentially rides mankind. Emerson bases much of his theory on events that occurred throughout history, such as the implementation of the gun worldwide. This revolutionary weapon took the art of warfare to a new level. Without gun technology, combat would still be what it was during the early centuries. Along with the gun, Emerson also alludes to various other things that occurred within the United States. During the time Emerson wrote his poem, the U.S was going through as drastic change with the Industrial Revolution. Railroads were being built and factories were appearing across the snation. This interconnectedness of industries brought the U.S to a new level in technological achievement. The new era the United States was entering was symbolically captured by J.M.W Turner in his painting, "The Fighting Téméraire."

Although technology is a strong force in our society, it does not necessarily mean it is a force completely independent on its own according to Nye. Many new inventions are adopted for convenience, quality and productiveness. In 1543, the Portuguese brought gun technology to Japan during their voyages. The Japanese rejected the new technology because it would bring an end to the samurai warrior class. They were free to choose the future of the technology in Japan, the new weapon was not forced onto the country. Along with the argument that technology cannot force itself among a society, Nye also believes that technology cannot break down cultural barriers. One can make the argument that technology has increased these cultural borders. Prior to the attacks on September 11th, 2001, the middle eastern countries were fairly peaceful as far as fighting amongst their own people. But in the past few years, the conflict between the Sunni's and the Shia's has increased dramatically. The newest technologies have not been able to resolve this issue and nor will it ever solve the ongoing religious battle between these two sects.

Even though both Emerson and Nye have created powerful arguments to defend their viewpoints, I do not completely agree with one or the other. Technology is an extremely powerful force, but not powerful enough to be uncontrolled. Humans create all the latest technology we see and hear about today. But just because a technology is new and useful, does not mean it will be intertwined into society. In the past few decades, the United States embarked on a revolutionary technology within the field of nuclear science. This technology was nuclear power. This form of power is easy to generate and the resources for this power source are very abundant. So abundant that people were estimating the annual individual cost of nuclear power to be in the cents. But, due to the time of the arrival of this new technology, it was shunned and not instated like in other parts of the world. Because the atomic bomb had caused such destruction, people were scared of implementing nuclear power plants in their backyard, therefore one of the most innovative technologies in the past century was not fully put into use because humans stopped it. In some parts of the world, such as France, a vast majority of the country is powered through nuclear technology, unlike the 10-20% capacity the United States uses.

Aside from humans being able to reject new technologies, humans also have had to succumb to technologies as well. Many societies may be able to reject a certain technology, but may be forced to use the new invention due to outside forces.In the earlier example used to talk about how the Japanese rejected weapon technology in the 16th century, Japan in fact adopted gun technology in the 19th century in order to avoid obliteration. In the present day, there are various groups or communities that wish to live their lives with no modern technology involved. Some of these groups are known as the Luddites or the more famous, Amish. The Luddites are a group that resist and revolt against new technologies, as they see it alters their state of life in the worst possible way. But even today, Luddite members must adopt some forms of modern technology in order to survive. Along with the Luddites, the Amish community attempt to live a simple life with no interference from modern technology. The Amish allow limited use of modern technology, such as phones, in order to resolve issues that require technology. These two groups who pride themselves on their views toward modern technology, must make exceptions unless they wish for extinction.

Technology is an incredibly strong force within our society, but a force not strong enough to overpower the force of mankind. Since the dawn of life, humans have been constantly creating new technologies and tools in order to increase the standard of life. Many of these technologies are immediately weaved into society, while others are avoided. Since some technologies are accepted while others are rejected proves the fact that technology is not a complete force of its own that mankind must live with. Humans have the ability to choose their future and the instruments that will take part in their future. Technologies may be forced onto humans by other humans, but technology alone cannot push itself into the world.