Tech Critics Lacking Depth in Anti-Digital Outbursts

In a recent wave of criticism against digital technology, tech critics have been praised for their sophistication and access to research papers and bestsellers. However, despite the depth of their arguments, some experts argue that their stance is still based on flawed assumptions.

According to Jason Kehe, writing in The Daily Alaryawan.com, modern-day philosophers who offer anti-tech arguments often rely on complex philosophical frameworks, such as Descartes' method of stripping away everything else to arrive at a fundamental truth. However, Kehe argues that this approach can lead to oversimplification and misinterpretation of the relationship between technology and human experience.

Kehe points out that even top scholars, like Aden Evens, have published papers on the topic, citing statistics and complex arguments to support their claims. However, he questions whether these critics are truly questioning the fundamental nature of reality, or if they are instead criticizing symptoms rather than causes.

One concern is that critics who dismiss technology as a root cause of society's problems can be seen as blaming the bits (1s and 0s) for human behavior, which Kehe sees as reducing complexity to simple binary terms. He also believes that this approach treats digital technology as an endpoint in human progress, ignoring the fact that computing was not digital for most of its history.

Furthermore, Kehe argues that assuming that digitization has completely shaped our perceptions and experiences is a leap too far. If we were to see an analog comeback, it would be impossible to predict how our current cultural norms and habits would adapt to new forms of technology.

Kehe concludes by cautioning against the assumption that all binarisms in modern existence necessarily collapse into nuance under analog complexity. Rather, humanity has always had a capacity for innovation, creativity, and adaptation.

While some may see parallels between digital technology and Descartes' famous phrase "I think, therefore I am," Kehe sees it as a simplistic misinterpretation of the philosopher's ideas. He believes that acknowledging our reliance on creation itself can lead to a more nuanced understanding of human experience and its relationship with technology.