Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Are We One With Our Technology?

  Imagine, if you will, a world without computers. What picture would your imagination paint? From 1st grade to high school my tools were: a notebook full of lined paper, a pencil, pen and eraser. I learned from a human teacher standing in front of a blackboard with chalk writing on it and I studied by reading books. In high school, I learned how to use a ‘hand held’ computer which we called a slide rule. Twenty years later when I finally entered college, I had to have a computer, an internet connection and an email address. Much of my instruction came across the internet. Twenty years after I graduated from college, it is hard to purchase anything, pay a bill, take an airline flight, or even order dinner without a cellphone (a handheld computer with internet and international telephone connections).

     In less than one lifespan, culture, society and technology have changed so quickly that our comprehension of what is ‘normal’ can not keep pace. Our culture has become whatever is ‘trending’ on social media and Netflix. Our society has gone from the interaction of humans, to the interfacing of social media on the internet. Our technology, which started out as a tool for mankind, seems to have become its ruler.

     Technology has become so pervasive in our culture and society that we can not live without it. If you are saying, yes, I can live without technology, try this: Turn off your computers, cellphones and all your 'smart' devices for one week. Could you do it? Would you know how to open the garage door so you could go to a store? How would you communicate? Pay bills? Would you be able to cook your own meals? Would you be able to call the hospital in case of an emergency?

     As long as man has been alive, he has dreamed of making a better world for himself and future generations. It is man’s dreams, needs and wants that spark his imagination and the thought processes that eventually produce technology. Have we made our world better or have we become as Ray Kurzweil predicted in his book "The Singularity Is Near," one with our technology?

     This paper is about the evolution of technology. It may appear to be framed as history but I make no claim to have separated inaccuracies, interpretations, opinions, myths and stories from fact. I believe that art, engineering, mathematics, science, philosophy, imagination, curiosity and society all have a part in the evolution of today's technology and will guide us as we contemplate the technology of tomorrow.

     Before reading this paper, take a moment and ask yourself these 4 questions:

  1. Can humanity survive without technology?

  2. Can technology survive without humanity?

  3. Do my answers to the previous 2 questions make humanity one with technology?

  4. What does the answer to question 3 hold for the future of humanity?

     Human evolution is driven by the recombination of genes. Human creativity is driven by a recombination of curiosity, imagination, ideas, knowledge, research, science, mathematics and chance - The unknown and unpredictable element in happenings that seems to have no assignable cause. 

     Technology evolves through a recombination of the products of human creativity and the application of our ever evolving human mind; making us in a sense, one with technology. 

      What does “one with technology” mean? Being "one with technology" generally refers to a deep integration or harmonious relationship between humans and technology. This concept can encompass several aspects:

  1. Seamless Interaction: It implies that technology is so well integrated into daily life that it feels natural and intuitive. Users can interact with devices and software effortlessly, often without conscious thought.

  2. Enhanced Capabilities: Individuals may feel empowered by technology, using it to enhance their abilities, productivity, and creativity. This can include using tools for communication, learning, and problem-solving.

  3. Digital Immersion: It can also refer to a state of being immersed in digital environments, such as virtual reality or augmented reality, where the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds blur.

  4. Philosophical Perspective: On a more philosophical level, being "one with technology" can suggest a belief in the potential of technology to augment human experience and existence, leading to a symbiotic relationship where both humans and machines evolve together.

  5. Dependence and Adaptation: It may also reflect a societal trend where individuals become increasingly dependent on technology for various aspects of life, adapting their behaviors and lifestyles around technological advancements.

     Overall, this phrase captures the evolving relationship between humans and technology. It suggests that individuals or societies have adapted to and embraced technological advancements to the extent that technology has become an essential part of their lives, rather than being a separate or intrusive element.

     How can we achieve a harmonious relationship between humans and technology? The answer lies in our ability to harness technology ethically, innovatively, and collaboratively. While the potential of technology is vast, its impact on us depends on how we use it. The tools are in our hands. If we use technology wisely, it can be more than just an engine for progress, it can be the engine that drives a new era in human evolution, one marked by compassion, creativity, and connection.

     Technology has empowered us to solve complex challenges, it is also challenging us to rethink the very essence of humanity. Today we say that our machines can think, learn, and create. Can they? Are they in fact “intelligent?” To truly enjoy the benefits of technology while retaining our humanity, we must be deliberate and mindful in our approach. As we develop systems, we must answer deep philosophical questions with ethical answers. Such as, what does it mean to think, what is intelligence and how does one become intelligent? These debates will help us evolve not only technologically but morally; causing us to prioritize human values and connections in our lives rather than isolating individuals and devaluing their importance to society.

 

Saturday, February 20, 2021

First Televised News Conference

On January 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy becomes the first U.S. president to hold a live televised news conference.

"The fact of the matter is that the time when President Kennedy started televised press conferences there were only three or four newspapers in the entire United States that carried a full transcript of a presidential press conference. Therefore, what people read was a distillation... We thought that they should have the opportunity to see it in full." -  Pierre Salinger, Press Secretary to President Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Library Oral History Interview,  jfklibrary.org 

From a podium in the State Department auditorium, Kennedy read a prepared statement regarding the famine in the Congo, the release of two American aviators from Russian custody and impending negotiations for an atomic test ban treaty. He then opened the floor for questions from reporters, answering queries on a variety of topics including relations with Cuba, voting rights and food aid to impoverished Americans.

Ever since his televised presidential debate with Richard Nixon in 1960, Kennedy had been aware of the media’s enormous power to sway public opinion. On that day, Kennedy had appeared rested, well-groomed and in control. Nixon, on the other hand, was not as telegenic as Kennedy and appeared sweaty and flustered. His five o’clock shadow created more of a stir than his responses to the moderator’s questions.

Kennedy knew that, in a televised news conference, his appearance would count almost as much as what he said. On this day in 1961, the president exhibited a calm demeanor and responded to reporters’ questions with intelligence and decorum. Kennedy’s ability to project charm, intelligence, strength and openness defined the presidential image in the age of mass media. 

Live press conferences gave the public an opportunity to not just read about details of the presidential policies and proposals, but also see more into their personality and brand of leadership. With the changes in technology, choices for venues for the conferences have changed by presidency as well as the type of press session where presidents feel the most comfortable responding to reporters. Today’s live television allows presidents to have increased contact with reporters, but allowing them to do it on their own terms.

It is estimated that approximately 65 million people tuned in to watch.

 
 
To hear all of President Kennedy's televised news conferences and learn more about him and his time in office, go to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
 
From the auditorium of the State Department, President John F. Kennedy’s press conference was carried live on both radio and television. Although President Woodrow Wilson held the first presidential press conference on March 15,1913, and President Eisenhower held the first televised (film footage) press conference January 19, 1955, President John F. Kennedy was the first to use the medium of television to address the American people live without delay or editing.