Melvin's blog

Nshima & Curry

Melvin's  Blog

Nshima & Curry

TECHNOLOGY HELPS US AND HURTS US

At times, I’m wary of technology and its
potential to control my life. That’s why I don’t
own a cellular phone. At other times, I’m
eager to embrace technology and its
potential to enhance my life. That’s why I
own a couple of computers, spend
countless hours on the Internet, and check
my e-mail more often than I check my
refrigerator. A day without e-mail is like a
day without food. And I enjoy eating, more
than I enjoy anything else in the world,
except perhaps one thing. But this isn’t a
column about football.

Many other people are uncertain about
technology. Like me, they’re searching for
an answer to this important question: Is
technology truly harmful to us or does it just
give us an effective and efficient way -- no
matter where we live -- to make Bill Gates
richer? Well, not just him, but also
thousands of other technology tycoons who
have so much money, some of them are
actually giving to charity.

Not surprisingly, we’re seeing a backlash
against technology. According to a recent
USA Today article, at least 29 million U.S.
adults quit using the Net this year. And that
was before they heard that O.J. Simpson
was online.

A. Desai, a Silicon Valley executive, has
taken an interesting approach to technology.
At work, he’s surrounded by computers and
high-tech gadgets. He can’t avoid them,
because he’s chief technology officer at an
electronic-commerce firm, which means
he's paid big bucks to know that HTML
doesn't stand for "Hungarians Trust Monica
Lewinsky."

When he goes home, he escapes the
high-tech world. He’s content with just
history books and a used TV. I’m not sure if
he owns a telephone, but if he does, it’s
probably one of those primitive ones that
have to be attached to a wall.

"I don’t need all those laptops and
cell phones and Palm Pilots. I don’t need a
BMW or a dream house full of tech toys,"
Desai told USA Today. "Technology is a
tool to make things, to create something of
lasting value. It’s not meant to control my life.
I won’t let it enslave me."

Yes, he doesn’t need technology to control
his life. He’s got a wife.

Despite their income, Desai and his wife
sleep on the floor of their one-bedroom
apartment, using just a comforter and two
pillows. They’re apparently concerned about
all the technology that goes into modern beds.
Yes, in case you haven’t kept abreast with
recent developments, some beds are now
equipped with springs. And as anyone who
has slept on a good bed will tell you,
springs can be addictive. Once you sleep
on them, you’ll want to keep sleeping on
them, even during the day. Why do you
think I have trouble waking up before noon?
I’m addicted to springs. Bed manufacturers,
of course, won’t admit that their product
hurts productivity. They’re afraid of lawsuits,
negative advertising and a national bed
boycott.

Of course, I’m kidding. I’m sure the Desais
have a very good reason for sleeping on the
floor. Perhaps they’re afraid of falling out of
bed. Perhaps they're allergic to mattresses.
Perhaps they like to be closer to Mother
Earth.

I’m obviously not as wary of technology as
Desai. Especially since the Internet has
helped me in many ways. It has helped
me send my column to people around the
world, some of whom actually read it. It has
helped me find useful information, such as
the names of those two exciting
presidential candidates, Buchanan and
Nader. And it has helped me find a bride,
a young lady who, I am proud to say, likes to
sleep on beds.

Isn’t technology great?

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