Technology can be wonderful servant but dangerous master

Justice Matters

Catholic Social Justice Commission

Imagine a country without electricity, gas, radio, television, telephones, computers, planes, cars, buses and railway. It would look like a very different place from the Australia we know today.

These resources are all the product of technological change. Most of us would agree that we are better off for having them. We might complain at times about them, but not many of us would prefer to live without them.

These resources are all the product of technological change. Most of us would agree that we are better off for having them. We might complain at times about them, but not many of us would prefer to live without them.

One could make a case that they have adverse implications for social justice. Affluent people are normally the first to take advantage of the products of new technology, and hence are able to get even further ahead of their poorer contemporaries. Indeed it is fast becoming part of the conventional wisdom that rapid changes in technology are widening the gap between the very rich and the rest of us.

One could make a case that they have adverse implications for social justice. Affluent people are normally the first to take advantage of the products of new technology, and hence are able to get even further ahead of their poorer contemporaries. Indeed it is fast becoming part of the conventional wisdom that rapid changes in technology are widening the gap between the very rich and the rest of us.
The reality is not so straightforward. As they mature, new technologies deliver benefits for the vast majority of people in countries such as Australia – so much so that most people find it almost unimaginable to live without them.

The reality is not so straightforward. As they mature, new technologies deliver benefits for the vast majority of people in countries such as Australia – so much so that most people find it almost unimaginable to live without them.
New technologies have also had enormous impacts on social services such as education and health. Individually and collectively they have enabled us to learn much more and live longer and healthier lives than our forebears did.

New technologies have also had enormous impacts on social services such as education and health. Individually and collectively they have enabled us to learn much more and live longer and healthier lives than our forebears did.
Technological advances have facilitated activities that degrade the environment and create the conditions for unsustainable change in the climate. They will, however, be an essential element of any solutions to these challenges.

Technological advances have facilitated activities that degrade the environment and create the conditions for unsustainable change in the climate. They will, however, be an essential element of any solutions to these challenges.
The rapid development of communications capability has been a bonanza for some people and organisations – a bonanza not only in wealth but also in power. At the same time it has been a democratising influence in opening pathways through which everyday citizens can make their voices heard.

The rapid development of communications capability has been a bonanza for some people and organisations – a bonanza not only in wealth but also in power. At the same time it has been a democratising influence in opening pathways through which everyday citizens can make their voices heard.
Some of our fretting about rapid changes in technology may reflect simple frustration more than anything else. Because our expectations are higher, our disappointment is greater when they perform poorly.

Some of our fretting about rapid changes in technology may reflect simple frustration more than anything else. Because our expectations are higher, our disappointment is greater when they perform poorly.
Many of our concerns, however, are about real issues, such as the loss of personal privacy and the sense that we are surrendering control of our lives to faceless machines and the operators behind them.

Many of our concerns, however, are about real issues, such as the loss of personal privacy and the sense that we are surrendering control of our lives to faceless machines and the operators behind them.
The exploitation of the internet to peddle pornography (and worse) and the difficulties faced by society and individuals in combatting it are also critical issues. The dignity of the human person, so central to Christian ideas about social justice, is at stake in this context.

The exploitation of the internet to peddle pornography (and worse) and the difficulties faced by society and individuals in combatting it are also critical issues. The dignity of the human person, so central to Christian ideas about social justice, is at stake in this context.

Christian ideas about social justice, is at stake in this context.
The threats that come with modern technology weigh heavily on more disadvantaged people in the community.

The threats that come with modern technology weigh heavily on more disadvantaged people in the community.
For example, their financial capacity often limits their participation in the online world unless they squeeze other elements of an already tight household budget to make room for the gadgets and services needed.

For example, their financial capacity often limits their participation in the online world unless they squeeze other elements of an already tight household budget to make room for the gadgets and services needed.
As technology-based services come to be regarded as essential, the pressure to prioritise them at the expense of other needs will grow – especially in the case of households with children.

As technology-based services come to be regarded as essential, the pressure to prioritise them at the expense of other needs will grow – especially in the case of households with children.
Modern technology also changes the nature of work. It creates employment opportunities, but it also eliminates other jobs.

Modern technology also changes the nature of work. It creates employment opportunities, but it also eliminates other jobs.
One can look at the aggregate figures and conclude that the net effects are not too dramatic. For the individuals losing employment, however, the future may be bleak. It cannot be assumed that displaced workers in dying industries can simply move into the newly emerging work environment.

One can look at the aggregate figures and conclude that the net effects are not too dramatic. For the individuals losing employment, however, the future may be bleak. It cannot be assumed that displaced workers in dying industries can simply move into the newly emerging work environment.
This is not an argument for resisting change. It is an argument for recognising its adverse impact on many individuals, families and communities, and for action to support them through the transition. Work is central not only to personal wellbeing but also to family and community life.

This is not an argument for resisting change. It is an argument for recognising its adverse impact on many individuals, families and communities, and for action to support them through the transition. Work is central not only to personal wellbeing but also to family and community life.
In short, there is nothing to be gained by generalised hostility to or uncritical acceptance of technological change.

In short, there is nothing to be gained by generalised hostility to or uncritical acceptance of technological change.
A Christian response is to view it as a gift from God that can be used for good or ill. At the same time, the potential for harm must be recognised and addressed by practical measures.

A Christian response is to view it as a gift from God that can be used for good or ill. At the same time, the potential for harm must be recognised and addressed by practical measures.
Please send comments on the article, or requests for further information about the Commission, to Social.Justice@cg.org.au.

Please send comments on the article, or requests for further information about the Commission, to Social.Justice@cg.org.au.