Who's in the driver's seat? We are in the driver’s seat—but sometimes it feels like
someone else is steering.
Truth be old, I was fine with the 5-1/4 floppy. Then
came the 3-1/2”. I was okay with that. Then came the writable CD, then USB
flash drive, and now the omnipresent “cloud.” I’m okay with all of these, but
what I find hard to take is having to upgrade perfectly good hardware just to
interface with new software.
We have created a technological monster. First, at least in
my lifetime, there was the reel-to-reel tape and the vinyl record, then the 8-track
tape, then the cassette tape, and then the CD and mp3. I never liked vinyl
(couldn’t handle the scratchy sound—and even new albums could have scratches on
them), yet I’ve owned hundreds of 8-tracks, then a few hundred cassettes. Then
I purchased a couple of hundred CD’s so I could listen to the music I liked
when I wanted to on the current players (the former players never lasted
either). Now I can download all I want from iTunes to my computer and other
portable devices, and never have to physically touch the music.
It’s no wonder
writers look at future technology as the “monster” or bad guy. Look at how much
it’s cost me just to own the songs I wanted to have in my personal library. It’s
enough to make me wake up screaming from a techno-nightmare.
Yes, I’m in the driver’s seat—I chose to purchase the new
hardware and software—no one forced me too. Yet, while I’m in the driver’s
seat, I often feel like someone else is steering the vehicle. Even if I wanted
to continue listening to 8-track tapes, the machines don’t last forever, and
the tapes themselves wore out even faster. To enjoy the music, I had to upgrade
both hardware and software. This is great for the manufacturers, the record
companies, and for the economy, but it sucks for the consumer.
And yet, having said that, I have to admit I like being able
to shop for music 24/7, and have it delivered to my devices with the click of a
mouse. I even like watching movies on the tiny screen of my iPad. Who would
have known?
M
To me technological determinism is not only the driving
force behind social change, but it’s also the driving force behind the economy.
Can you imagine how bad the “Great Recession” would have been if smart phones
and other similar devices hadn’t continued to sell? If Netflix and Amazon
hadn’t continued to grow?
While I don’t have to like the expense of it all, I can
still enjoy the benefits. In fact, I think I’ll click on my latest playlist
(purchased a few days ago and downloaded almost instantly) right now. I’m in
the mood for some relaxing music.
