704: Against Technology......

“Luddite” is now a blanket term used to describe people who dislike new technology, 

    

but its origins date back to a 19th century labor movement that railed against the economic fallout of the Industrial Revolution. 

     

The original Luddites were British weavers and textile workers who objected to the increased use of automated looms and knitting frames. 

   

Most were trained artisans who had spent years learning their craft, and they feared that unskilled machine operators were robbing them of their livelihood. 

    

When their appeals for government aid and assistance were ignored, a few desperate weavers began breaking into factories and smashing textile machines (1811 - 1813). 

      

They called themselves “Luddites” after Ned Ludd, a young apprentice who was rumored to have wrecked a textile apparatus in the late-18th century.

     

This is a historical example of our ambivalence regarding improving ourselves 

      

The word 'technology' can be understood in at least two different ways: on the one hand as a concrete material product 

      

that is not part of nature but has been invented and designed by man, for example a pair of glasses or a prosthesis. 

      

On the other hand as the 'art' to control nature. The word 'technique' comes from the Greek word "techne", which means 'art', 

     

for example by using a random stick from the forest as a walking stick, or the force to use falling water with the help of a paddle wheel. 

   

This ambivalent attitude is much older. More than 2000 years ago Plato warned for the dangers of writing (which, by the way, he did in writing himself:-)

    

In the "Phaedrus" Socrates tells a story about the ancient Egyptian god Theut, who presents all his inventions to the king of Egypte, the god Thames. One of the inventions is script.

     

-QUOTE- and now you, who are the father of letters, have been led by your affection to ascribe to them a power the opposite of that which they really possess. 

     

For this invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory. 

  

Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. 

   

You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom, 

   

for they will read many things without instruction and will therefore seem to know many things,

   

when they are for the most part ignorant and hard to get along with, since they are not wise, but only appear wise. -END QUOUTE -

   

Really funny to read. It makes me think about the arrival of a TV in the living room. We all would turn into couch potatoes.

   

The use of calculators in math class....horror!!! The use of computers....and most recently the development of robotics.

    

Wild stories of how many people will lose their job.

    

On the one hand technology becomes an attachment to ourselves like we enjoy here in Second Life our attachments

    

and on the other hand, already since Plato at least, we are still scared by this technological developments.

    

An interesting observation...... thank you for your attention again :-)

     

 The Discussion

[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and every time someone starts up a new particle accelerator everyone screams about the doomsday

[13:27] Ciska Riverstone: thanx herman

[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡

[13:28] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): tx

[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed seems this fear of new things have always been there

[13:28] herman Bergson: Ahh yes Bejiita....so I heard

[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): we always will be however the next generation always adapts and improves by the technology

[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): used wrong technology can cause havoc but used right it can improve for everyone and everything

[13:29] herman Bergson: It was funny to read how Plato already complained about technology :-))

[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!

[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...

[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats a simple way to put it

[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): haha

[13:29] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Are we ruled or do we rule?

[13:29] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Or is it symbiotic?

[13:29] herman Bergson: Yes Loo...maybe that is the basic fear

[13:30] herman Bergson: Like this Big Data mining can scare the hell out of people regarding their privacy

[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): the charge is here that when these kids today are using the screen too much will never socialized... we saw some amazing kids face cameras and talk with uch poise and passion after the killings of 17 in their schools

[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): such poise

[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and dedication to changing the laws here

[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and how to do it!!

[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): was wonderful education

[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah

[13:31] Ciska Riverstone: peoples fear is always to get de-evaluated...

[13:32] herman Bergson: Yes that is the new fear.....screen addiction and getting bad eyesight....

[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep

[13:32] herman Bergson: They said that about TV too

[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes

[13:32] herman Bergson: and here we are.....all at our own computerscreen :-)))

[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!

[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...

[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes

[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): "baby, dont look to much on tv! you will get square eyes!"

[13:33] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): In the Zeta-Ah household we are all on separate screens at the moment.... but for one hour we come together to eat and debate ..... and with 2 of us having master's the conversation gets heavy

[13:33] herman Bergson: has something funny in it :-))

[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): a classic moms used to say to their kids

[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and of course change in music is the same

[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!

[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...

[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): herman faints at trance

[13:34] herman Bergson: Yes Loo....to have dinner you have to leave the screen and watch the plate :-)

[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the importnt thing is to use the proper distance and not stare onstantly at the screen but on other things as well, i can use a computer for hours without issue then

[13:34] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Each generation adapts, and the dinosaurs become extinct

[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i even got myself some special glasses to wear at night to take out the blue light of the computer

[13:34] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): <------ glasses="" now="" span="" wears="">

[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): these fit over the regular glasses

[13:35] CB Axel: Maybe our next topic should be "How does having a Second Life change our first lives?" °͜°

[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ha

[13:35] herman Bergson: Heard about that.....prevents seratonine shortage, isnt it?

[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and it has

[13:35] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): You can adjust your gamma also in settings to be more 'yellow'

[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): think so

[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): however i also want to move around and do things in between, if all there is to do after work is in front of the computer i get tired of it in a while but turning on an interesting movie usually solve that issue when it is so cold outside there is nothing more to do

[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): these are easier to do

[13:36] Ciska Riverstone whispers: (my screen does that automatically at 0:00 so I know its time to go to bed ;) )

[13:36] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Ciska yes we have the app to do it

[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ah yes i had that but when i lost my computer I cannot get to that nightlight setting

[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): so got the glasses

[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but whatever ativity it is im doing i find i need to occupy me with something constantly

[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not fighting with windows 10!!!!!!

[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): or ill get tired and bored instntly,

[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and just want to sleep then

[13:37] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): <----- mac="" span="" user="">

[13:37] ɑsɦℓєɨɢɦ (ashleigh.alderbury): i wonder if people complained about shoes when they were first introduced.  How about spoken language?

[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ah yes

[13:37] herman Bergson: Yes Bejiita...I just switch off my computer and go to bed...that is all :-)

[13:37] CB Axel: I bet the wheel freaked everyone out. °͜°

[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i can not just sit and do nothing

[13:37] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Oh and eating apples from that naughty tree of knowledge

[13:38] herman Bergson: the wheel...what wheel CB?

[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ha

[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): reinventing the heel is a bad thing to do

[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡

[13:38] CB Axel: The original wheel. New technology of ancient times.

[13:38] herman Bergson: Yes...that must have been amazing ;-))

[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): books were feared

[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): into in the hands of the peasants

[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): only the elite

[13:39] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Printing press

[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes

[13:39] herman Bergson: That is why I love THE NAME OF THE ROSE....

[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa yes, one of the most important inventions of all

[13:39] herman Bergson: all about the fear of one book  :-)

[13:39] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): about every 500 years a major upheaval...

[13:39] CB Axel: I think the printing press freaked out the clergy more than anyone.

[13:39] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): renaissance

[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): now it is every week!!!!

[13:39] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): *probably spelt that wrong*

[13:40] herman Bergson: yes Gemma....that is why the 20th century is so exceptional

[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes it is

[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): good topic!!!!!!

[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): YAY! (yay!)

[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): his can be good

[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): this

[13:40] herman Bergson: I love a more broader cultural topic now....

[13:40] Ciska Riverstone whispers: (thank you herman - have to tiptoe - have a nice day/night everyone)

[13:40] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok ciska

[13:41] CB Axel: Bye, Ciska.

[13:41] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): We are in an algorithm of of speed to become integrated to tech

[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): too late

[13:41] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Bye

[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): misses beertje

[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least i have discovered that video games is the ultimate form of art because they combine all of them into one package

[13:41] herman Bergson: Oh Beertje excused herself for today.....

[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and lot of good tools to use

[13:42] herman Bergson: she was too tired to stay up late

[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats why i love doing that so much

[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ah

[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i get that

[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): take whats in my head and make the ultimate story using all forms of art at the same time

[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): learning them all at once

[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): now thats something

[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hehe

[13:43] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): I have recently retired and need to tap into my creativity

[13:43] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Bring it on!!!

[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i do that by writing for the slnewser

[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): we have authoring and writing, drawing and painting, programming, animating and movie creation in 1 package here

[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): all in 1

[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the ultimate form of art

[13:44] herman Bergson: That is why I started the Philosophy Class Loo

[13:44] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): VR can do that yes but it is a decade old now

[13:44] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): :)

[13:44] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that was way before your retirement !!!

[13:44] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Heheh

[13:45] herman Bergson: Only one year Gemma :-))

[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): no!!!

[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i think not

[13:45] herman Bergson: I agree...retirement was not the reason

[13:45] herman Bergson: although....it was meant to prevent intellectual retirement :-)

[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!

[13:45] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...

[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡

[13:46] bergfrau Apfelbaum: lol+

[13:46] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well it worked

[13:46] herman Bergson: After twenty years of teaching computerclasses I wanted to return to my real love...

[13:47] herman Bergson: Because I had graduated in philosophy...not in computer technology :-)

[13:47] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): :)

[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡

[13:47] herman Bergson: And we made it for ten years+ now :-)

[13:47] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): But integrated well here

[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah

[13:47] herman Bergson: And I have some  new inspiration for a new theme

[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): good

[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!

[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...

[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): we are inspiring aren't we

[13:48] herman Bergson: So...thank you all again for your inspiring participation :-)

[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): nice

[13:48] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥

[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡

[13:48] herman Bergson: You are  Gemma :-)

[13:48] herman Bergson: Class dismissed

[13:48] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Thanks

[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): now i shall go run a fishing contest

[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well this can be good indeed

[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡

[13:49] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bye all

[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa those,long time since i did these

[13:49] CB Axel: I need to go melt the snow on my parcel. °͜°

[13:49] herman Bergson: Bye Gemma :-)

[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well cu all soon

[13:49] ɑsɦℓєɨɢɦ (ashleigh.alderbury): bye everyone

[13:49] Loo Zeta-Ah (loo.zeta): Take care

[13:49] CB Axel: Will we be starting a new topic next week?

[13:49] bergfrau Apfelbaum: thank you Herman and class!interesting hour :-) as always

[13:49] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): as i get it yes

[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡

[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): cu then

[13:50] bergfrau Apfelbaum: nice weekend:-) see you next week

[13:50] CB Axel: Bye.