By MAIRANY GARCIA CRUZ
I believe that in essence, we are in a race against ourselves, who, like a product of technology, has not stopped innovating and creating technology. Now more than ever, the consequences of using technology such as the internet, phones, applications that render us visible to the entire world, have been projected onto ourselves. The solutions society finds within technology have become consistent with our realities, yet the solutions become flawed when individuals realize the power it holds over their daily lives. Not too often, it condemns the internet for rewiring our brains, not fully understanding our symbiotic relationship with the minute details we use technology. We are in a race against the machine, yes but also ourselves.
For example, it is a fact that since the beginning of time, humanity has been striving for improvement as a society, meaning technology is fundamental in the pursuit of that goal, whether this is by applications like Snapchat, Facebook, or Twitter. Or the media, which has revolutionized what it means to be a consumer of the news. Attaining that goal could also mean using major platforms to advocate for issues against human trafficking or body dysmorphic disorders caused by the same technology. As society tries to look for the silver lining against issues technology brings— human trafficking and its connections to the dark web or the effect social pressures from social media is causing younger generations—it is essential not to forget a key point. That is that humans are the ones behind the screens, innovations, or technologies. We define what it means to have the internet or human connection. The race is in our ethical ideals, and the extent individuals are willing to let technology intervene and control their lives.
The issue then becomes in this “race” how are controlled by technology? The answer to that is society’s dependence on technology, and in truth, our reliance on it has only staggered as innovations surface. Some examples include cryptocurrency, cars, and the internet.
These simple examples have redefined human existence as we know it. For instance, when looking at economies around the world, something experts and legislation have begun to take into consideration is a cryptocurrency, currency based on encryption, which is a result of a person named “Satoshi Nakamoto.” In the matter of cars, humans created it as a way to travel greater distances and now has become essential to the mid-century lifestyle. In the internet’s case, this simple tool, designed for simple tasks, is now in charge of booking flights, streaming music, or connecting with your loved one’s miles away. Yet amid all the technology, we need to remember that humans came first. Our ability to empathize and create are the results of the products that have revolutionized the world. In a digital world full of living our days through social media, emails, text messages, it has created new ways to view the world and each other.
We are in a race against our humanity. Through social media, we have become desensitized to events occurring in a different country, at home, and with each other. The only way technology has grown to rewire our brains affects each other as we begin to live our lives through a looking glass that has stained perception of what the world mainly was. Of course, technology and innovation have improved our way of living. Still, in addition to wanting to society improve and life comfortable, the machine can be observed as something much more influential.
Ultimately, we have always been in a “race” with the machine. Every piece of innovation that has impacted society and every new thing that is to come will challenge us. Whether that be in an ethical manner or technologically, there is no way of telling who will “win.” However, as we continue to progress to that eventuality, human kindness, empathy, and creativity must continue to thrive. If society develops innovations that guide humanity to a reality far from the one it is now, it will become desensitized.
Simply put, how we as individuals choose to use these “machines” define who we are.
If you use the internet to conduct illegal activities, it is the basis of disturbing aspects of the internet. If you use the internet to connect with friends and problems, it is the basis of human connection.
Reaching this conclusion has become an eye-opening experience because I reached while surrounded by many different opinions from fellow peers as well as similar ones. At the beginning of the course, I was stubborn in my beliefs. “The machine is artificial intelligence, and we are not in a race.” It was when I in discussions with classmates that I realized this question had so many other interpretations according to everyone’s background. By engaging in conversations with their ideas and being open-minded inside the classroom, I was able to judge based on the discussion we had instead of the confirmation I wanted to hear at once.
The open dialogue in class allowed me to push my beliefs beyond what I thought, which is why I reached my conclusion.