Dear Editor,
Out of the frying pan into the fire. A penny saved is a penny earned. A stitch in time saves nine. Oops, pennies are obsolete, frying pans have been replaced by take out and if something needs mending throw it out and buy something else. Such is the brave new world in which we live.
With artificial intelligence poking its head into the already crowded world of technology and social media, one might wonder where it’s all going to end? AI (artificial intelligence) is taking us one step closer to a world run by computers, where individuals are just numbers on a list. Any time people are dehumanized by technology, there is a problem. Since computers are devoid of emotion, the ability to reason or make moral judgements, we are gradually handing our lives over to a dangerous new reality.
Technology hasn’t solved the problem of poverty and all its accompanying issues, ie homelessness, addiction, the breakup of the family unit, and disrespect for anyone in authority.
Your phone may be able to tell you how to get from point A to point B, but it will never tell you to be kinder,more compassionate, more concerned with the needs of others. Do I have a cell phone? Yes. Do I text? Yes. At my very last nursing job, we switched from paper to cell phones. I adapted with a lot of support.
I even returned to college as a mature student, to take a two-year diploma, Communication Arts (print journalism), however, it was daunting because of technology. Like little tug boats, some of the other (younger) students dragged me through the harbor to the safety of the dock. Although technology is a useful tool, that is all it is—a tool. The ability to think, to reason to make decisions baked on spiritual values, continues to remain our responsibility.
One last thought, recently I watched an interview, with a woman who fled Ukraine with her young son, leaving her husband behind. She wanted to spare her son the trauma of war. She is also an English teacher, so she had no trouble obtaining employment. She was extremely grateful and humbled by the opportunity to come to Canada. She and her son have been taken in by a host family for the time being. She uses technology to communicate with her husband, looking forward to the day they can be a family once again. Gratitude was the dominant emotion, expressed throughout the interview.
My point? There is still much to be grateful for in this country I call home.
With respect,
D. Ruth Jewell,
Three Hills, AB
