Question whether technology advances have truly improved lifestyles

Letter to the Editor,

The Industrial Revolution is credited with propelling mankind onto a path of progress and prosperity like no previous period in human history. 

Each discovery or invention in conjunction with free enterprise led to the next much as steam power enabled the steamship and railroad; the internal combustion engine beget the automobile and the electric motor brought about mass production. The economic system called capitalism, along with the advantages forged by the Industrial Revolution allowed the growth of industry in all sectors to proceed at a rate unparalleled.

I believe, however, human advancement has reached a crucial period. The elements of overpopulation, overproduction and greed threaten to bring the entire human achievement of the past two centuries crashing down upon us. 

The human population has grown so great it threatens the very sustainability of life on our planet. Mass production has advanced so far and fast there is an overabundance of every product in spite of the population explosion. 

Mechanization has taken over the function of human labor to such an extent there is now a shortage of things for humans to do in the workplace. And finally, perhaps the most dangerous element of all: greed. Greed has assumed such a prominent role in human affairs it threatens the viability of society. 

In an effort to push the glut of manufactured products onto a population already living above their means, the credit finance industry and the advertising industry are in overdrive. Every aspect of human life has become commercialized. Even prolonging life beyond functionality and dignity with life-support procedures has become commonplace in order to maximize profits for hospitals.

The push of technology or humanity has become (in my view) overwhelming. The digital age is propelling us faster and faster toward an end as yet undefined. I do not profess to have an answer for it all, but I am certain the quality of life has declined during my lifetime. I don’t believe bigger, better, faster is the answer. 

— Bill Payne

Libby