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The Coming Anti-Tech Counterculture

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Re: The Coming Anti-Tech Counterculture

#21

Post by betterunix »

clavalle wrote: post #11
betterunix wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am not sure it is accurate to call Facebook a "technology," any more than it is accurate to call driving from your house to work a "technology." Facebook is built on technology, but you are using that same technology when you post a comment on HN. Not using Facebook is kind of like only driving to pick up groceries, and riding a bicycle to work.

Facebook is a technology. Someone designed and built it.

Only in a pedantic sense. Facebook is a use of technology, not really a technology in its own rite.

Re: The Coming Anti-Tech Counterculture

#22

Post by blhack »

The coming anti-tech counterculture?

My girlfriend is adamant about keeping her old crusty flip phone with a broken hinge that doesn't have a real keyboard on it, or even the internet!

The majority of my friends almost refuse to own televisions.

I own a kindle, but almost never use it in favor of paper.

I also own several prosumer digital SLRs, but favor my old vivitar 35mm camera from high school.

etc. etc. The list goes on.

(For reference, my girlfriend and I are both programmers)

Look even here on HN, how many people are actually anti facebook, or how common "I'm staying off the internet for 6 months!" posts are.

The anti-tech counterculture is already here.

Re: The Coming Anti-Tech Counterculture

#23

Post by beatpanda »

blhack wrote: post #22

The coming anti-tech counterculture? My girlfriend is adamant about keeping her old crusty flip phone with a broken hinge that doesn't have a real keyboard on it, or even the internet! The majority of my friends almost refuse to own televisions. I own a kindle, but almost never use it in favor of paper. I also own several prosumer digital SLRs, but favor my old vivitar 35mm camera from high school. etc. etc. The list…

Yep. And I think people who work in tech are more aware of the problems "bad" technology creates and are more likely to avoid it, even as the rest of society starts "coming online" in the sense that they have some kind of a personal web presence.

Re: The Coming Anti-Tech Counterculture

#24

Post by fennecfoxen »

Apreche wrote: post #4

It's so hilarious to see people write things like this as if they have discovered or thought of something novel. Have they not read any of the major cyberpunk or sci-fi novels of the past century? Have they not studied any history of technology? The article doesn't mention Luddites even once. Personally I view anti-technology, anti-progress, and anti-intellectualism as perhaps the greatest threats to our society. I w…

For further historical perspective, general edification, and an ounce of insight into the motivation and fears of the people who might oppose your goals, read the science-fiction novel _That Hideous Strength_ by C. S. Lewis. In presenting the rise of a dystopia it provides a meaningful illustration of public perceptions of technology and progress, and historical anti-technology sentiment.

Moreover, if you like sci-fi, you may be interested to learn that the novel is in many ways the prototype version of _1984_ (Orwell himself wrote a book review; he had mixed feelings overall but had glowing praise for the dystopian aspects), just less modern. It's also the last dystopian sci-fi novel written before the atomic bomb (which permanently affected the genre.)

Orwell's book review is here: http://www.lewisiana.nl/orwell/

Re: The Coming Anti-Tech Counterculture

#26

Post by nextstep »

The whole premise of this (that America's culture is currently absorbed with technology) is flawed. Are we more enamored with technology now than at other times in history? I would argue that - for the American culture as a whole - we are not. But I can see why a tech blogger who lives in the echo chamber might think this.

Re: The Coming Anti-Tech Counterculture

#27

Post by hshshzjaj »

dljsjr wrote: post #6
Apreche wrote: post #4

It's so hilarious to see people write things like this as if they have discovered or thought of something novel. Have they not read any of the major cyberpunk or sci-fi novels of the past century? Have they not studied any history of technology? The article doesn't mention Luddites even once. Personally I view anti-technology, anti-progress, and anti-intellectualism as perhaps the greatest threats to our society. I w…

Jesus. Maybe OP doesn't like sci-fi, and so no he hasn't read any of those books. I'm a nerd and I probably haven't read most of the books that you were bouncing around in your head when you made this comment. And he never claimed to be Socrates. He simply had an insight and chose to share it. Why so angry?

Because the original author of the post is a moron.

Re: The Coming Anti-Tech Counterculture

#28

Post by lubujackson »

There already has been some appreciation for the Amish approach (no joke) because despite appearances, the Amish aren't anti-tech and DO discuss and add new technologies to their culture, but the bar is just very high.

I would say this has been a trend since around the 50s when plastics were new and no one paid any attention to the consequences. Over time I think as a society we have become a little more cautious about unintended consequences, but there's a way to go.

I don't think anyone is (or should be) against new technology for counter-culture's sake. The issue is that the full consequences need to be taken into consideration, and I think that approach will certainly gain ground and eventually be considered common sense.

Re: The Coming Anti-Tech Counterculture

#30

Post by onezeno »

beatpanda wrote: post #23
blhack wrote: post #22

The coming anti-tech counterculture? My girlfriend is adamant about keeping her old crusty flip phone with a broken hinge that doesn't have a real keyboard on it, or even the internet! The majority of my friends almost refuse to own televisions. I own a kindle, but almost never use it in favor of paper. I also own several prosumer digital SLRs, but favor my old vivitar 35mm camera from high school. etc. etc. The list…

Yep. And I think people who work in tech are more aware of the problems "bad" technology creates and are more likely to avoid it, even as the rest of society starts "coming online" in the sense that they have some kind of a personal web presence.

Reminds me of an article I read (maybe here) that described how doctors are less likely to pursue aggressive treatments for themselves when faced with late term cancer or similar diseases.
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