diwana
September 29, 2013, 6:07pm
33
Re: Humanity Needs and Technology
I’m not anti-technology - I am merely answering the thread topic … “humanity NEEDS” and “technology” …
I think the value of technology should be seen as “what is gained” and “what is lost” with respect to the previous function.
So Let’s consider “going to the bank” vs “Online banking”
a) Online is faster but going to the bank is more energy filled for the body
This is the type of comparison … to say that online banking saves time so that one can do ibadat and zikr presumes that going to the bank physically prevents zikr … which is a fallacy … One can do zikr on his journey to the bank and meet people on the way and say salams and even get the opportunity to invite them over for tea.
I mean what is it that one does that the other cannot do? Then to find where does the balance lie? Perhaps to do both depending on the circumstances, but the key question is does “making life easier” make us more likely to be weak to our desires or stronger to our desires.
Regarding the treatment of infections - being unable to treat infections is not evil, that is qadr. Even with technology we cannot prevent every disease, but we try with or without technology. Does having technology make us “want ” to treat more people or does it simply give us the ability to treat more people?
Regarding communication - yes, technology has enhanced that for us … being able to communicate more efficiently is not a need however, it is one of those superlatives again. And looking at the communication online - by and far it is done heartlessly, whimsically and thoughtlessly. Also, access to certain information has cluttered our lives and many people are addicted to a life in the virtual world. Along with the enhancement there is a captivating lure that is ever present.
3 - Again you are presenting the “choice” of accessing things “easily” … my point is that “ease” can be a hindrance too … Especially so with information … When information comes easily the trends are that “knowledge” dies … because fewer people feel the need to “learn” they merely access the information they want and forget it again. Some devices offer Qur’an memorisation as a feature … but when one has to ask questions or get corrected - it is not done as effectively as it would “face-to-face” … Being able to do something easily is not the criteria of our progress … Rather struggling to do things despite being in disadvantage is a better ideal to have. Technology is making us lazy … because it offers us more than we “need” and eats away at our challenges in life by giving us the things we want on a platter. Piety is to be able to remain happy in hard and testing times … yet technology has meant that when a plane is 30 minutes late we get angry …
As long as we are aware of the downfalls that technology brings us then we can make adjustments in our life to compensate … it is not to remove technology as though it is haram … no … but to balance it out … If you have time - then don’t do online banking - go for a walk … That is the extent of what I am saying.
I am sorry Psyah Bhai, it is clear you are trying very hard but none of your arguments is strong enough. There are so many wrongs that I am baffled as to where do I begin.
The worst argument of all is
"being unable to treat infections is not evil, that is qadr. Even with technology we cannot prevent every disease, but we try with or without technology. Does having technology make us “want ” to treat more people or does it simply give us the ability to treat more people? "
but all the red parts of your posts are simply false.
Unnecessary hardship is what you are promoting. Not treating people is what your are preaching. It is not about prevention only. But technology not only treats diseases, it DOES prevent diseases and deaths as well.
If people want to live in khanqaah or jungle they are more than welcome to do so.
