The Art Of Adaptation

The Art Of Adaptation:  Evolutionary processes are now in our control and need to be monitored and transparent to all.

Not many people know but secretly I am a nerd.  I love technology.  I love everything from the tangible items to the theoretical frameworks and concepts.  For me technology is interesting for two reasons:

1. How it helps us in our day-to-day lives.
2. How it can possibly harm us.

I think at this point we have a clear handle on how technology can help us and that we are adapting to technology at a steady pace when it comes to things which enable positive processes.  On the flip side, I think as people and as a race we have a very loose handle on what possible threats technology can pose.

We no longer destroy things that we fear, we ignore them… which can be worse.

In a recent WIRED magazine article, James Bamford talks about the National Security Agency (NSA) who are building a massive facility which will monitor all communication in the US.  Phone calls, text messages, e-mail and beyond.

Why?

The NSA claims it is for national security but who really knows.  Without getting into more detail then I care to explain, this facility will have the capability to listen in on basically any communication the user would like.

Do they care that you are having a family dinner at noon on Sunday?  Probably not.  Do you care that they are trying to decipher North Korean coded messages about nuclear activity?  Seems like a movie, probably not.

Should you be aware that someone posses the power and capabilities to collect any of this data and use it how they see fit?  YES

This isn’t conspiracy theory mumble jumble and I’m sure if WIRED Magazine knows about this one particular facility then there are other projects going on that we don’t know about.

The point I am trying to make is that technology is advancing whether you like it or not and some innovators are willing to take it to the extreme until someone pushes back and sets boundaries.  I don’t believe we should slow the evolutionary process but we should monitor, control and keep it fully transparent. 

Humans have no significant amount of experience with technology at this point in history that would make me believe we won’t make mistakes (large ones) going forward.

Be active in the process of adaptation especially when it comes to technology.  Start by reading this article in WIRED.  Then post your comments on how you intend to keep on technology from here out.