Speaking of David Bryne, here’s an important read by him that discusses how technology is (perhaps deliberately, perhaps inadvertently) removing important human interactions.
The consumer technology I am talking about doesn’t claim or acknowledge that eliminating the need to deal with humans directly is its primary goal, but it is the outcome in a surprising number of cases. I’m sort of thinking maybe it is the primary goal, even if it was not aimed at consciously. Judging by the evidence, that conclusion seems inescapable.
Whether this effect is a stated goal of technological advancement, judging by the evidence that Byrne deftly spells out it’s hard not to be at least a little concerned by this trajectory.
Our random accidents and odd behaviors are fun—they make life enjoyable. I’m wondering what we’re left with when there are fewer and fewer human interactions. Remove humans from the equation, and we are less complete as people and as a society.
“We” do not exist as isolated individuals. We, as individuals, are inhabitants of networks; we are relationships. That is how we prosper and thrive.