The best time to write for me is in the morning. My writing process usually starts with an idea that pops up when I least expect it: in the middle of the night, in the car on my way to work, and in the most unexpected places. As soon as I can, I jot down a few notes on my phone for later. The idea sinks in for a few days until the creative juices have flowed so intensely that it has to come out. Then I’ll sit at my desk, take a blank sheet of paper, and start scribbling. No text, just random notes, until finally, I start to write. It takes a few iterations to get to the final result (frustrating as it may be to sometimes find myself unable to put a single word on paper). This process of organic human creativity is exciting and occurs in many aspects of our lives including the development of technology.
Science and technology as product of human imagination and curiosity
Humans have extraordinary mental abilities. Compared to (most) animals we have the ability to reflect on the past and project into the future. In between reflection and projection, we find the miracle of imagination. This incredible imagination was once used to explain phenomena we didn’t understand. In ancient times, we believed that earthquakes and lightning were quirks of the gods. Myths and legends, fabrications of the mind, explained life and gave meaning to it (a life without would be unbearable).
Despite the myths and fears, humans have explored the world and sought solutions to make life easier. Why? Because the human brain packs another superpower: curiosity. Our desire to understand the world around us, led to the development of science, which has freed humankind from its own limitations and fears. At the same time, science gave us the means to control the world around us. This improved the quality of our lives and created space for broader development of society and our individual thinking. The emancipation of humankind that arose from our own curiosity has been going on for as long as humans have walked the earth. However, it is with the ancient Greeks (kudos to Aristotle, father of science) that we reach a turning point through the birth of mathematics and the sciences as we know them today. As we grew to master our knowledge, we applied our creativity to develop technology. It is our curiosity and our imagination that led to the development of science and technology, two fascinating products of the human mind.
Bringing technology back to its purpose
While writing this post, I’m bombarded by AI assistants offering to write my post (the WordPress AI assistant, Rankmath’s Content AI, Hostinger’s Ask AI, Gemini, Copilot). I refuse, because I want to express a personal idea, not just generate text. Technology seems to be pushing its boundaries. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a technology sceptic, far from it. I use technology every day and I love it (when it works). I studied engineering and computer science, because I love abstract reasoning, the science and the math behind the technology. But I equally enjoy living my life as a human and being… well, very human.
Look out honey ’cause I’m using technology
According to the positivism of the 19th-century French philosopher August Comte, scientific reasoning is the only valid source of knowledge. Since then, there’s been an unbridled belief in science and some are convinced that science will provide an answer to all problems. Today, technological advancements are unprecedented and they are moving faster every day. The 1973 song Search & Destroy echoes a sentiment that I feel very much today. The line “Look out honey ’cause I’m using technology” captures both the excitement and anxiety of technological progress. On the one hand, it expresses bold ambitions and confidence (like us at The Governors). On the other hand, it shouts a warning and signals fear of losing control.
A call to mindful engagement with technology
By focusing too much on technology we skip some of the existential questions. I can’t help but ask whether we are developing technology for its own sake rather than for a meaningful purpose, i.e., for the benefit of people and society. To improve our lives and to create more space for being human. And are we still steering it or is it gradually starting to govern us?
It’s time to rethink our relationship with technology. This post is a call for mindful engagement with technology. The world we live in is fundamentally human because we, as well as science and technology, have emerged from it. We need to ensure technology aligns with human values and serves us rather than the other way around. Let’s use our human superpowers: to reflect on our priorities as a society and to project a future in which technology helps us move further.
