Is there an example in your life where you prefer the analogue approach instead of a digital solution?
I took some major time to think about this one, and I honestly think that my answer is no. There is nothing that came to mind when I was thinking about this. Maybe because I just haven’t experienced an analog version of something that I prefer? I like how convenient it is to do things with digital solutions. I like the newer cameras, computers, and instruments. Until about a decade ago, you could only go to a producer to record an album. Now all you need is an instrument and a laptop in order to create professional sounding music from your bedroom. I’ve never used an older camera, so I can’t say that I like or dislike it. Same thing goes with a typewriter or any other analog type of technology. I’d rather look at my phone to see the temperature instead of looking at an old-fashioned thermometer. The only thing I can really think of that I have “used” is an analog clock. Which I know is taking this super literal, but even so, I prefer digital over analog in that instance as well. I definitely think this is a generational thing though. If you asked someone a tad older than me they’d have a different answer.
Do you think each technology has an inherent moral character, or do you think each user has the power to make that tool an extension of their own morality?
My initial reaction to this question is that digital technology is purely an extension of the person using it. However, I think it goes back and forth and not solely just the tech or just the users. Take Tinder for instance. What do you think of when you think of Tinder? Slimy, sketchy, a hook up website. But it wasn’t like that when it first started. It really was a dating app that was meant for people to make connections. Over time it became the sketchy app that it is now, because of the users. In turn, now that it’s known for being a hook up app, it now attracts the type of people that are looking for that. I also think (or like to hope) that it has the ability to turn back into a more wholesome, relationship building tool, but it will run through different life cycles and waves of who it attracts and how it is used. Same thing with TikTok – that app started out with children dancing and has now become a platform for drama, DIY’s, fail videos and more…because we made it that way. So for the most part I do think that it mainly falls on the users, but there’s also a little bit of a life/character that technology has itself.
I found this photo to be the perfect example of appreciating the evolution of technology. Yes, it can be a fun choice to use a candle instead of a bulb. But the fact that you’ve got options and choices to make life easier is what I appreciate the most about digital technology.
