Being a Techno-skeptic is a good thing

I have expressed my reservations earlier in the blog over the use of smartphones. But I will admit that a certain part of my hesitancy to purchase one has been personal bias; I find the multitude of Apps superfluous and distracting, the wiggling gestures of our fingers on the touch-screen looks plain silly, and the degree of hyper-connectivity afforded by smartphones invades what's left of one's private life. Having said all that, circumstances may force their hand and I may have to swallow my pride and get one of those darned machines. My caution is not simply restricted to this piece of gadgetry, but other types of technology as well. It's the reason I proudly proclaim myself to be a techno-skeptic.

Techno-skepticism is a philosophy that states that new technology must be critically analysed and judged before being adopted. Claims of new technology must be proven, pros and cons must be discussed, and the adoption process must be slow and measured rather than rushed and clumsy. For the techno-skeptic, the onus is on the technology to justify itself as contributing something of significant value to one's life and to not be an unnecessary adornment. Whether it is the latest product on the market or in vogue is irrelevant.

Techno-skepticism should not be confused as the irrational fear, hatred or rejection of all new technology (that's technophobia). Rather, it is a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to technology that takes a holistic view. A certain degree of suspicion can be healthy.

Two factors are of paramount importance for techno-skeptics: simplicity and humanity. Simplicity is not to suggest that we resort to living like cavemen. Technology that paves an easier path to accomplishing our objectives shouldn't be rejected, but technology that adds extra layers of complexity and confusion should be balanced against its return value. Very often, a simpler and properly designed device can be as helpful as a more complex one. The finer points of older technology often go unappreciated once they are chucked away.

The second factor is to remember that technology is meant to serve human beings and not the other way around. To uncritically accept new technology without any consideration for the larger social, communal and even spiritual ramifications can be hazardous. Technology that only ends up dehumanizing us is quite simply not worth it no matter how flashy it seems.

Technophiles who indulge in blind love and almost pseudo-worship of any new device on the market can fall easily prey to false claims and marketing tricks. Such people have an almost utopian worldview when it comes to technology, that any human desire can be satiated, any inconvenience dealt away with, and any obstacle overcome as long as there's a device designed to do so. Techno-skeptics are thus in a noticeable minority, while lust for technology has become the cult of the majority.

Employing the techno-skeptic approach in your own lifestyle can yield surprising results. I can list a few examples, but perhaps you can be a bit creative and think for yourself. You may take for granted how much time and effort it takes to cater to all the devices in your daily routine, and may not realise how burdensome it has become. Or, more likely, you may think I'm a crank and nostalgic and perhaps should be writing about something else.