Do benefits really benefit?
Before you think I’ve had too much South African wine, let me explain. Databases are there to help us: in Marketing, in Production, Administration, Logistics, you name it. A nice example of how technology properly applied makes our business decisions more accurate and predictable. We can now access information in seconds or minutes where before we had to wait weeks – if it was accessible at all.
We have also used technology to make it easier for the customers to communicate with us; to identify themselves to us; to tell us what’s right and what’s wrong.
Cell phones, fax machines and email have brought convenience to us like never experienced before. Video Conferencing and Internet telephony significantly reduce travel costs and time. Info kiosks and web sites allow us to access information any time of the day, regardless of where we are and where they are. It’s right there waiting for us – and them.
All these examples show how much technology has found its way into our daily personal and business lives, so what am I complaining about? Very simple: I think that all that has really happened to most of us (including myself to an extent) is that the availability of the techie tools resulted in us cramming more and more into the 24 hours we have available. So instead of sitting around the dinner table talking to the family, you are more likely to find yourself in front of the PC, answering some emails from a colleague in Australia, Canada, Chile, or wherever it may be.
I have the funny feeling that this pace will soon leave a mark on (wo-)man. Fewer and fewer will actually be able to cope with the increased pressure put on them, and the responsibility they carry. We will see a rise in domestic violence, divorces, child and drug abuse, and all the other things that go with it – one of them also being a drop in productivity.
Am I painting doom and gloom here? To an extent, I certainly do. We are surely able to adapt to the demands made on us and our society, but what I think is of absolutely crucial importance is that we learn how to use technology to address fundamental human problems: environmental pollution; stress reduction and the adherence to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Because if we carry on like this, all we do is make our lives more and more dependent on technology (or how do you feel if you can’t access the Web and your email for two days?) – to our detriment and to society’s detriment. On the other hand, with technology we surely solve the problem of overpopulation, because it looks as if the PC has far more sex appeal than our partner. 😉
Oops, am I again getting carried away here? I don’t think so. But what do you think?
