Will humans be able to handle their own technology, or are we not wise enough yet?

Question

For example, if we create super intelligent robots, and some fools program them to learn and recognise their rights, this could mean a terminator 3.

As we expand on Earth, building more cities and roads, our forests and clear space are dissapearing.

Why do we continually need to take up more space? We could advance in technology, yes, but what is the need to destroy Earth or create beings that are more intelligent than ourselves?

Why can't we have a future with trees, sunlight, rain, weather and the things unique to Earth? Technology doesn't mean destruction, so why is the Earth dying as we advance? Why the need for an expanding population? It just lowers the quality of life for all of us.

ps I love technology, but I just think we need some wisdom too ( I know it sounds ambiguous).

Answer 1

It's all a balance, grasshopper.

I'd counter with "have we ever been able to handle our own technology?"
Ever since people began banding together for the greater good they've been trashing the joint. I mean, the pyramids are still there! We see them as cool artifacts from an old civilization but really -- it is a mess left behind.

The quality of life is still on the up-rise. We may feel the effects of pollution (compared to say: London 1875), but overall more and more people are being fed, clothed, educated than ever before.

Chin up, my little sparrow - we'll make it through okay.

Answer 2

We've spent so much of our time and energy focusing on science and technology that many people think that arts and ethics are not very important.

We've created such an inbalance in our brains that as a culture all we can seem to think about is science leading to more money. So we create very powerful things but we have no idea about how these things can coexist with our humanity.

Our brains have both a right side and a left side and we need to figure out how to use them both in a more balanced way. When we learn that and when we learn to really think about what it is that we actually need, instead of blindly trusting in technology, then we will be able to bring it all into balance.

There is no problem with using technology when we need it but we need to judge its value and use discretion which is sadly lacking. We're pretty irresponsible with existing technology - it scares me to think about how emerging technology is going to be used.

I still believe that humans are basically good but so many people have been duped by the greedy into thinking that technology holds all the answers. Are the few who can see through this illusion strong enough to stand up to the many who don't? I hope so. We'll see....

Answer 3

Sounds like you're are a prime candidate for one of my HUM 110 courses...
At the chance that you are nowhere near Winston-Salem or Graham, NC I would suggest reading the following:
"The Law of Accelerating Returns" -Ray Kurzweil
"The Age of Spiritual Machines" -Ray Kurzweil
"Natural Born Cyborgs" - Andy Clark
and anything/everything listed "similar" to a search on these.
Your question is a great one, but a proper answer could in no way fit this little box I'm tying in.

Answer 4

We aren't wise enough yet. Greed destroys the Earth. Money is most people's "god". The need for expanding population is because people are afraid of becoming extinct too. But in producing more & more people who need more & more room, we are destroying all our natural resources & the Earth in the process. Yes it does lower quality of life. I agree with you.

Answer 5

of course we always have to look at the positive sides of things and of course we can handle such advancement in technology, the problem that usually exist are usually created by people who cannot stand progress and scared of what advancement we civilized people can achieved, this are the people who try to destroy this way of life and just want to stay or go back to the olden primitive ways and the thing that is a blessing is that they are a minority and very few in our midst and for that we say thanks.

Answer 6

We always seem to master, whatever is fadish, and conformative. Then we are lost when it comes to basic survival skills, like building a fire, catching, and gathering food, oother than the food market. Home remedies and treatment of sickness and injury.

Answer 7

I agree with Allan Watts, people need to stop getting the idea that we are competing with nature, that we need to overcome nature, or we need to opress nature. I think the knowledge we need is that we all co-exist, we aren't fighting for existance because we already do exist. By benifieting each other, we also beniefit ourselves.

Answer 8

We cannot handle our technology today because some do not want to be wise at all, they care merely about their money.