A youtube commenter, ironically calling themselves “teched246”, questioned my use of RFID technology for convenience purposes. Quite seriously I suggested they check out an Amish commune/farm (I really wasn’t joking), and they respond with “An amish farm sounds perfect- back to nature- peaceful- bliss. I’m not a technological junkie anyhow, as I don’t own a cellphone or an automobile, and also not planning on getting either.” … I sat there looking at their handle name and that comment and just laughed.
This weird and sometimes twisted up comment conversation (twisted due to the way replies work) actually covers some interesting ground, where she argues several things, but the most interesting one I thought was;
Something about that caught my attention. The answer seems obvious at first, but with today’s ever increasing rate of technological development, the question is being raised again and again in books, movies, etc. Ultimately though, I answered the question with a resounding NO, because the concept of “necessity” is astoundingly limited. Technology is always borne of desire… the desire to build a bigger/better shelter than the tree you’re trying to sleep under… the desire to farm food rather than constantly wander around to gather it… and everybody knows desire can never be quenched. Fire = discovery. Use of fire over being cold = desire. Candles over darkness = desire. Lightbulbs over candles = desire. Telegraphs and telephones over letters and postal services = desire. The old adage states “Necessity is the mother of invention”, but that is woefully incorrect.
and inspiration is the father
