“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”
Thornton Wilder
Ask yourself: “How does the technological medium used change the way that knowledge is produced, shared or understood?”
We live in a world today predominantly centred on the systematic usage of technology to live everyday life. One flick of a switch and you have light, you can seamlessly blend a healthy smoothie, you can binge-watch on Netflix, or even check your daily messages on your handphones. For decades, the evolution of technology has displayed a more refined way of living by effectuating daily routines, workload, and study. However, there is a growing ethical dilemma which I believe the world has already sensed but hasn’t provided practical means of addressing – the ironic substitution of life’s simplicities .
Let’s take one of the most iconic moments of the basketball world within this year. LeBron James, argued by his fans to be one of the greatest to play on a basketball court (and needless to say NOT my GOAT!), surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in terms of earning the scoring title in the NBA. Currently holding the scoring record of 38,424 points, it’s a feat unimaginably witnessed in today’s day and age (and would probably take more than a decade to break!). However, I’m not here to debate on who’s the greatest basketball player of all time. Meticulously observe the fans in attendance during this game through the clips uploaded by the NBA on their Instagram account. What have you noticed?
- In my own personal estimation, around 95% of the onlookers had their phones propped up for social media posting/recording.
- These people had their faces covered by their own phones on live national television.
- You can see a few of them with their phones up who’d raise their hands rejoicing in that specific moment.
- The relatively few, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar included, applauded LeBron for a record-breaking moment in history. He, alongside the rest who didn’t have their gadgets up, cherished and lived in that moment!
Numerous digital ethicists have endeavored to intentionally inform the public on the dangers of technology as it gradually replaces everyday behavior by ensuring that its users are constantly feeding into daily screen time. That has been thoroughly communicated in the open world through interviews, documentaries such as “The Social Dilemma”, and random clips on YouTube (ironically) which discuss the degradation of technology ethics in shifting humane activities. Regardless of this imperative awareness, I believe that technology is now unanimously part of this symbiotic relationship with anyone who allows it to control their lives. Thus, even living in a moment, unequivocally requires the erratic need to pull out a handphone and click “record”.
The video above is a great example of how technology has officially replaced life’s simplicities. “Be like Boomers in this moment is what I’m trying to say!”, mentioned concisely yet convincingly by Richard Jefferson – a timely reminder for me and the younger generation to ponder upon.
As a former Theory of Knowledge teacher, nothing excites me more than discuss the benefits and disadvantages of technology with my Gen-Z students. If there’s a recurrent message which I impart to them everytime I teach “Knowledge and Technology”(one of the optional themes in this subject), it is the value of living in the moment apart from technology! Nothing replaces the unfiltered satisfaction and fulfilment of witnessing and cherishing historic moments through the naked eye.
Navigating through today’s world without technology may not be entirely feasible. Nevertheless, in the few seconds or minutes where history is taking its course in front of your very eyes, I do hope that the relatively few (who don’t allow technology to dominate their behavioral patterns) stand as emulable models for the youth to learn from.
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
Proverbs 18:15 ESV
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
Ginosko,
Joseph L.
Relentless Faith 