[Juenger-list] EJ, John Naisbitt and the Dangers of Technology

[mvk575b@tninet.se (Bertil Häggman)]

EJs warnings about technology are some of the=20
most profound in world literature after
World War II. Technology does not only lead
to mortal catastrophies, it is the mortal catastrophe
itself.

Even liberal technology enthusiasts are now expressing
doubts about the development. The former LBJ assistant
futurist John Naisbitt in his latest book (_High Tech/High
Touch_, Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2001) is weathering
concern. He i still basically optimistic and believes
that technology supports and improves human life. But
it can also narrow and confine the human spirit.

Technology favors the quick fix and makes us fear and
worship. Technology can lead some to distance themselves
from what's real and meaningful. Since the 1960's traditions have
been dismantled and they are replaced with easy alternatives.

Naisbitt believes that genetic technologies
will overwhelm all other technologies in the coming
century. Germline engineering will give man the
power to direct his evolution, changing the genetic
code and passing it on generations afterward. To alter
the human gene pool is a very serious concern for science,
so Naisbitt.

Are we coming nearer to the "perfect catastrophe" or is germline
engineering moving us forward and offering new opportunities
in medicine etc?=20

An interesting aspect is also EJs view that technology
cannot develop indefinitely but only so far as to the point
that it controls everything. A this point, at this perfection,
(compare F.G. Juenger's _Perfektion der Technik_) it
changes into a static mode of magic.

With juengerian greetings

Bertil