Technology is one of the main ways we change the world. Whether it’s a complex technology like the internet, or simple technology like the wheel, one of the basic elements of human civilization is that we use technology.
But it’s not a one-way street. The moment a new technology is born, it also has an effect on us. Our lives change as a result of our technologies—they may become longer, healthier, and more productive; they may also become more anxious, self-centered, and destructive. Technology may help us stay more connected with the people we love, but it also enables us to stay more connected with our work.
It’s not so much a question of whether we govern our technology or our technology governs us; it’s more a recognition that our relationship with technology, and with other human beings and the planet through technology, is complicated.