By Ivan Leger on November 20, 2010 at 12:56 pm

I agree that this is one of technologies greatest virtues. However, in an attempt to be more “inclusive” (not just ergonomically speaking), it seems that our culture has successfully turned this virtue into a vice in many instances.Rather than technology being used to inspire greater achievement or to enhance our ability to use it to that end, it is also being brought (dumbed) down to the lowest common denominator. That is, inspiration is not a part of the equation. The goal is to no longer need much of a brain to utilize nearly any technology. (I also think that we have, to varying degrees, become disconnected from nature, and sometimes even reality, because of our utter dependence on technological surrogates. An unintended consequence, for sure, but a consequence, nonetheless. That is another discussion entirely, though.)

So, via the techno-lubricated path of least resistance, how much of our technology has merely become homage to the god of convenience? This is not exactly what comes to mind when I think of empowerment.

This is what I hear from the world:
Accessibility to all! Curse the discriminating elites and intellectuals who would desire to have the “average man” raise himself and his capacity to think or achieve. We must simply lower the bar. Atrophy is of no concern, as long as it is collective. We are inspired to achieve that no man must be inspired to achieve!

Call me cynical, but this is at least part right. No?