A lot of people think the Amish are against technology. In fact, they carefully consider the technology's effect on themselves and their community. Will it really help, or is it just a new thing which will cause unintended consequences? For instance, some Amish groups accepted cars, and their community disappeared - when anyone can drive anywhere the community collapsed. Now there are no Amish who allow cars. The same thing would happen with the internet.
Tech people like ourselves automatically assume that technology is some advance, or improvement. Our peers tell us this, our incomes depend on us believing this.
In fact, technology does not improve the human condition in most cases. It erodes it. We would be better making careful decisions like the Amish, but our civilisation is locked onto this myth of 'progress'.
is civilization locked into the "myth of progress" or, by living in civilization, is an individual's incentives (professional, financial, cultural, social) just more likely to be aligned with technology-centric and business-oriented practices? i don't think the issue is that we, as a society, are collectively choosing a path that may further erode personal liberties, societal cohesion, and maybe even personal happiness. it's just that rewards are positioned in such a way that many people, especially young and educated, will generally move toward that direction.
Tech people like ourselves automatically assume that technology is some advance, or improvement. Our peers tell us this, our incomes depend on us believing this.
In fact, technology does not improve the human condition in most cases. It erodes it. We would be better making careful decisions like the Amish, but our civilisation is locked onto this myth of 'progress'.