What Does Technology Bring?

Alarms that wake us up in the morning, transportation that can be summoned without waving, food that can be delivered without cooking.

Half of our breath is taken by technology, by advanced devices and apps. It is an extension of the hand that makes activities easier, provides unlimited access to information while allowing humans to transcend their boundaries.

However, what does technology really bring to our lives? We seem to be liberated by technology. It is the savior that allows us to move forward, it is also the device that takes our civilization a step forward every day. On the other hand, technology is also the usurper, our lives and reasoning are colonized by it. Our dependency is created by it and our incompetence is perfected by it.

Beyond the Good and Bad of Dichotomy

Are we ready to face the ever-changing technology? To use it and be responsible for its impact? Perhaps Guthenberg never expected that the simple technology he invented would change human civilization in five centuries.

We can re-read the story of Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in the mid-15th century. This printing press became a turning point in human civilization. Previously, the production of books and reading materials was very limited. The copying process was manual, time-consuming, and error-prone. Gutenberg brought revolutionary changes.

The printing press was a turning point in human civilization. Previously, the production of books and reading materials was very limited. The copying process was manual, time-consuming, and error-prone. Gutenberg brought revolutionary changes. His printing press was able to produce hundreds of pages in a short time with high accuracy.

The impact was tremendous. The mass production of books and written works enabled the widespread dissemination of information and knowledge. People who previously had limited access to knowledge could now easily obtain books and diverse readings. This triggered a spirit of learning and innovation in various fields. The printing press is a clear example of how technology can liberate humans from limited access to information.

However, on the other hand, history also records dark examples of technology utilization. The concept of hydraulic power in Asia is an illustration. Karl August Wittfogel, in his book “Oriental Despotism”, argues that rulers in Asian civilizations at that time used water management technology, especially irrigation, as the main instrument to maintain power.

Large-scale irrigation systems demanded strict organization and planning, which in turn gave birth to a strong bureaucracy under the control of the ruler. By controlling the distribution of water, the ruler could determine the fate of the farmers, raise taxes unilaterally, and even force forced labor.

These examples of Gutenberg’s printing press and hydraulic power in Asia clearly illustrate the dualism inherent in technology. On the one hand, it can be a tool for progress and liberation. However, on the other hand, it also has the potential to be an instrument of oppression and an obstacle to development. The fate and direction of technology is, ultimately, determined by the humans who use it.

Technological Liberation

Technology has always played an important role in the advancement of human civilization. One historic example is the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century.

The printing press was a tremendous turning point, not only in the world of printing, but also in the development of science and social movements.

Before the printing press, the production of books and other written materials was limited. The copying process was done manually, took a long time, and was prone to errors.

The arrival of the Gutenberg printing press revolutionized the process of mass production of books and written works. This machine was able to produce hundreds of pages in a short time, with a much higher level of accuracy.

The positive impact of this invention was significant. The mass production of books and other materials enabled the widespread dissemination of information and knowledge, centuries later.

People who previously had limited access to knowledge could now easily obtain a wide variety of books and written works. This sparked a spirit of learning and innovation in various fields.

In addition, the printing press played a role in the development of public opinion. Mass production of pamphlets became widespread. Pamphlets can be quickly distributed and read by the wider community, allowing for the formation of public discourse and discussion. This media became a means for people to voice their opinions and aspirations. The role of printed literature (as a product of technology), according to Ben Anderson in Imagined Communities, has ideological and political significance in the context of nationalism between 1820 and 1920.

The influence of the printing press is evident in the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in the 16th century. Luther used the printing press to spread his 95 Theses that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. Luther’s ideas quickly became widespread and sparked public awareness and debate about existing religious practices. The printing press played a crucial role in the mass mobilization and success of Luther’s reform movement.

In short, Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press was an important milestone in the history of civilization. This technology not only encouraged the mass production of books and written works, but also catalyzed the formation of public opinion and social movements. Wider access to information thanks to the printing press also triggered the advancement of science and critical thinking among the public.

Technological Oppresion

The history of technology is the history of oppression.

Large-scale irrigation systems demand strict organization and planning. This required a strong, centralized bureaucracy under the control of the ruler. By controlling the distribution of water, the ruler could determine the fate of the farmers, set high taxes, and even force forced labor.

The negative impact of hydraulic technology is seen in:

• Concentration of power: The ruler who controls the water becomes a very powerful figure. The farmers depend on the ruler to support themselves and their families.
• Oppression and exploitation: Farmers are vulnerable to exploitation by the ruler. By controlling the water, the ruler can unilaterally raise taxes or force farmers to work without remuneration.
• Restriction of mobility: Dependence on ruler-controlled irrigation systems reduces farmers’ freedom to move or change professions.

The use of water management technology as a means of control contributed to the unequal structure of society. Farmers were at the mercy of the ruling elite, hindering the development of democracy and social equality.

While irrigation technology plays an important role in increasing agricultural productivity, its use needs to be accompanied by a just and democratic system of governance. Concentration of power in the hands of a few elites needs to be prevented to avoid misuse of technology for personal gain.

A Double-Edged Sword

On the one hand, technology offers solutions and progress for human civilization. On the other hand, it also holds the potential for danger and destruction. Two historical examples, the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg and the concept of hydraulic power in Asia, are clear evidence of this dualism.

Gutenberg’s printing press, which revolutionized the world of printing, opened up wider access to information for the public. New knowledge and ideas could be disseminated easily, sparking a spirit of learning and innovation. At the same time, the printing press was also used to spread propaganda and hatred, as Nazi Germany did during World War II.

Hydraulic technology in Asia, which enabled the construction of massive irrigation systems, increased crop yields and encouraged agricultural progress. However, it also became a tool of control and oppression in the hands of rulers. By controlling access to water, they could impose forced labor and high taxes on the people, as was the case during the ancient kingdoms of Asia.

These two examples show that technology is not a neutral entity. It can be a useful tool for human progress, but it can also be misused for harmful purposes. It is human responsibility that determines the direction of technology.

Humans need to be aware of the potential positive and negative impacts of technology. We must carefully consider how technology is used and ensure that it is utilized for the common good and take a proactive and responsible approach.

A proactive approach puts forward a number of steps, starting from developing technology responsibly and designed with ethical and social aspects in mind, while a responsible approach means that policies are needed to ensure technology is used for the public good and used to bring harm to society.

With a proactive and responsible approach, we can steer technology to become a positive force for the advancement of human civilization.

The Dignity of Technology

Technology offers blessings of progress on the one hand, and potential dangers on the other. Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press opened access to information, but also opened the door to propaganda. Hydraulic technology in Asia increased crop yields, but became a tool of ruling control.

This dualism emphasizes the important role of human control in determining the direction of technology. Technology can only reach its true potential when it becomes an instrument that is used equitably.

We, too, must have an awareness of its potential positive and negative impacts, carefully consider its use, and ensure that technology is utilized for the common good. Only with a proactive approach and responsible control can we steer technology to become a positive force for the advancement of human civilization.

Technology must serve humanity equitably and distribute the benefits to as many people as possible.

Bibliography

1. Anderson, B.R.O. (1983). Imagined communities: Reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism. London: Verso.
2. Asimov, I. (1965). The new intelligent man’s guide to science. New York: Basic Books.
3. Dusek, V. (2006). Philosophy of Technology: An Introduction (1st ed.). Wiley.
4. Mangunwijaya, Y.B. (1999). Pasca-Indonesia, Pasca-Einstein. Yogyakarta: Kanisius.
5. Wittfogel, K. (1957). Oriental Despotism: A Comparative Study of Total Power. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.