Humanists, Techies and Technology

I have been thinking lately about the difference between a techie approaches to technology as compared to a humanist approach. I previously described myself as more of a humanist: i.e. one interested in the welfare of humanity as well as a student of the liberal arts and one with more of a scholarly bent (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 4th ed). I am motivated by ideas more than gadgets. I am not likely to walk around with devices hanging from me. For me, a Bluetooth is for making phone calls, not bling. I like a good book. Technology is a means to an end – the pursuit of knowledge and culture. I am fairly ambivalent about which device to use as long as it is the best one for the job.

A techie is someone who possesses an interest in, or studies technological fields such as electronics (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 4th ed). With a techie, these tools may be directed to certain ends, but the focus tends to be on the technology itself. Techies are enthusiasts. In the fashion of all enthusiasts, some things become “must haves.” They may promote technologies which may be exciting and engaging, but may also be expensive, time consuming to produce and of limited value in promoting knowledge and civilization.

I strive to be a technologically informed humanist. I may not be cutting edge, but I try to stay abreast of what is current in the field. I tend to carefully choose which technologies I use on a regular basis. There are also some new technologies which I am watching to see how they develop. As a humanist, I realize that technology is a two-edged sword. Some applications can make the dissemination of some knowledge easier. Newer technologies in particular often impose barriers between those who can and cannot afford new technological devices. My end goal however is bigger than devices. It is deeper than trends. It is to support the making of a better, well informed society.