Technological advancements often lead to the emergence of challenges, and the resolution of these challenges presents a perpetual dilemma cycle.

Technocrats and scientists often find temporary solutions that later become long-term problems. Consequently, technology becomes the root cause of these issues, leading to a dilemma cycle that provides temporary happiness for a few decades but ultimately causes pain for centuries.

INSIGHTS

Naman Joshi (PhD Scholar)

2/20/20252 min read

Climate change, a pressing issue of the 21st century, is significantly exacerbated by anthropogenic factors. Technological advancements, while instrumental in addressing human challenges, have also become sources of concern. While technology enables us to solve problems, it often leads to unintended consequences. For instance, air conditioning and refrigerators, initially developed to combat summer heat, have contributed to ozone depletion, causing skin cancer and eye impairments.

In the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, nuclear weapons have emerged as a global concern and potential threat. While the United States developed nuclear weapons during World War II to address global security challenges, their subsequent use in Hiroshima and Nagasaki underscores the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons.

Scholars argue that nuclear technology holds the potential to revolutionize energy security. However, achieving energy security necessitates substantial advancements in nuclear science. While energy security is crucial for societal preservation, the destructive power of nuclear weapons poses an existential threat to humanity.

The development of massive textile machines has enabled the mass production of inexpensive clothing, providing comfort from extreme temperatures. However, this trend has been associated with poverty, as individuals’ socioeconomic status is often reflected in their clothing choices. The mechanization of the textile industry has disproportionately affected developing countries, displacing jobs and leaving the unemployed unable to afford even basic necessities, including affordable clothing.

In our pursuit of technological solutions to address societal challenges, we must prioritize the fundamental needs of humanity. While some individuals advocate for artificial rain as a means of reviving deserts, they overlook the fact that such interventions can lead to the further degradation of green fields. The use of fertilizers in agriculture has contributed to food security, but it is important to recognize that the number of deaths due to starvation is relatively low compared to the number of lives threatened by the production of chemically processed food and vegetables.

The so-called “civilized” societies often interfere with the lives of indigenous communities, who live in a more authentic world where they accept and address challenges through natural means. Tribal societies demonstrate a profound understanding of long-term planning and sustainability, often sacrificing their lives for the greater good.

Technocrats and scientists are adept at finding short-term solutions that, in the long run, become problems. Consequently, technology becomes the root cause of these problems, leading to a dilemma cycle that provides temporary happiness for a few decades but causes enduring pain for centuries.

Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality, genome sequencing, and digital currency are the technologies that currently dominate the world. However, it is crucial to remember that the structure of sustainable development and these emerging technologies must be free from narrow gains. Failure to do so will leave humanity with its last option to save and protect the Earth.