For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press 3

“For a list of all the ways technology has failed to improve the quality of life, please press 3,” Alice Kahn. The first thought that crossed my mind after reading this quote was “This is nowhere close to being true,” however, I dare you to really think about the technology surrounding you right now. How many times has the computer you are sitting next to failed at the most critical time and you lost all your work? Sure, a computer for the most part is pretty reliable, but at some point during our life a piece of technology has certainly hindered us from moving forward.

What is technology to you? Is it the computer you are using to type your next paper? Is it the iPod you are listening to during class or your cell phone that goes off at the exact time that it shouldn’t go off? Is it the camera you use to capture memories? As a civilian, I would agree that all those things listed are technology. Now ask a solider what technology is…my guess is your answer will be a little different. Technology is the M-16 (rifle) they are carrying on their back. The plane that brings them to the war zone, and the jeep that carries them from their camp to their battle station. Technology is the bulletproof vest that they are wearing. Technology is what saves their lives…or is it what destroys them?

Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut is a book about how technology affects our lives. The main character tries to write a book about the scientist who helped create the atomic bomb. On his adventure to learn more about the scientist, Dr. Hoenikker, he learns about other things that Dr. Hoenikker created. One such creation consisted of something called “ice-nine.” To destroy the earth, one only needed a piece of “ice-nine.” “Ice-nine” was a piece of technology that was able to freeze anything that touched it.

At first “ice-nine” doesn’t sound that deadly, it could actually be a little useful. If something were wet and sloshy, one drop of “ice-nine” and it would become as hard as stone. Only everything in this world is, in one way or another, connected. If a lake freezes, that means anything touches the lake also freezes; it is like a domino effect.

While Vonnegut talks about technology destroying lives, Kim Vicente, another author that discusses technology, talks about technology hindering our lives but not necessarily destroying our lives in “The Human Factor.” Vicente brings up issues that involve a different spectrum of technology such as a work schedule. Many of us don’t think of a work schedule as technology, but it affects our lives and we are dependent on it.

Another thing Vicente talks about is how technology is supposed to improve our life and make us more efficient. He brings up the point that technology that is suppose to make our life better, in all actuality may be hindering us. Why would it do that? Some technology is WAY over our head; it is too hard for us to comprehend how to work that piece of technology.
Some technology is pure leisure. People have an iPod to listen to music or a cell phone to communicate to others; that kind of technology, obviously, doesn’t destroy our lives but what about technology that does? Technology, in the beginning, was meant to enhance our lives not destroy them. How did it get out of control? “Today we rule Germany, tomorrow, the world” –Adolf Hilter. This quote, I believe, provides us with a reason. We are never satisfied with what we have. Once we have one thing, we want the next better thing. Once we have a weapon of mass destruction then a different country thinks they need a weapon of mass destruction. Then what? Then the first country feels the need to “protect” itself from the other country. Both countries then feel threaten, so a war breaks out.

Once in war we are force to send troops over to defend our country. These troops may be nothing more than boys.
“‘I do not say that children at war do not die like men, if they have to die. To their everlasting honor and our everlasting shame, they do die like men, thus making possible the manly jubilation of patriotic holidays.’
‘But they are murdered children all the same’ (Vonnegut p 248).”
Many join the army as boys, but most leave as men. However, when they leave, are they going back to their family or are they going to see the Lord? The way they died, the way they fought for our country they deserve to be called men. Vonnegut wants us to know that the men that died for us, in reality are just boys. They still had a life to live, but they gave it up so we could continue our lives. Had they not done that, they might not have died as a child.

Vonnegut also wants us to think about the causes for war. He states that the children were murdered. In a sense that is true. They chose to fight for our country, but why do they have to fight, what caused the war? Was it our selfishness? Their death isn't just the fault of the enemies that killed them; their death also lies on our hands. The technology that we built so we could surpass someone else ultimately caused the war; we are guilty of the deaths of those soldiers. Technology that was meant to protect us was in return used to kill. I do not consider that enhances our lives at all.

I know that our world will never be able to go back from technology, and I know that it is virtually impossible to try limit technology. However, how many people...how many boys will have to die before we realize what is going on. Competition is good, it provides enjoyment for many people; but when competitions between countries start to kill people is it worth it anymore?