How to Maintain Control Over Technology During COVID-19

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” –
– Albert Einstein

Technology | Photo by **Spencer Selover** from **Pexels**

How did we get here.

Albert wasn’t wrong. Technology is one of the few expressions of the mind’s imagination manifest into physical production, and it has not slowed down. Even for the Pandemic of the current COVID-19 Virus Outbreak that has rattled not only our country and nation, but in essence our world

Make no mistake, what used to be science fiction, is no longer a part of a plot of a sci-fi movie. While we sat back, ate popcorn, and let our imagination be dazzled by the creative geniuses of movie producers and science fiction authors, like our thirteen year old daughter, real scientists, bio techs and super elite minds were hard at work making things happen, without our knowledge… or permission.

Eric David, CEO of Aspa Therapeutics said this recently, “During the session, panelists discussed topics including safety of gene therapies, overcoming obstacles like skyrocketing costs and science fiction-like concepts of using gene therapy to treat diseases in the womb.” (1)

Chatbots, digital real estate assistants, intelligent interactions, human and animal cloning, real Iron-man suits, even putting computer chips in the brain, all current events and not futuristic sci-fi dreams.

However, in the midst of our current situation, the need for technology has never been greater. The dependency on high-speed internet, online collaboration, file-sharing, video conference, work-at-home and remote work all are not only convenient, but currently they are as close to a mandate as it can get.

That being said, youth, parents, and children alike are not only relying on, but using more of technology than ever to keep active, busy and focused on everything from games to productivity tasks.

The problem.

So, how can we make sure that technology does not overpower and overtake us when we’re not only surrounded by it, but almost in a Matrix style, we’re “jacked-in” to our electronic life-supports?

Solutions.

Allocation. Yip! Allocate and dedicate, don’t just play it by ear. In other words, set aside as a house-rule, that certain times are dedicated for certain types of technology.

For example, 4K, Blu-Ray and Projectors are obviously technology, along with PS4, Wii and X-Box. But they are not “productive” or “educational” in essence. So if they are used for gaming and entertainment, than dedicate a certain time and portion of the day for those to be used, instead of just ball-parking some sort of limitation.
Everyone Join In. So, one of the negatives about today’s technology, is that it has a reputation to isolate people. Even family members within their own household.

We’ve read and heard of many people who have literally text each other that were in the same room!

We can’t allow ourselves to separate and isolate each other. Instead, it’s vital to find ways we can still be together, close-knit and still use technology.

Me and our daughter use many of our daddy-daughter dates writing a novel together. She’s a double published author working on her third, so it’s one of her favorite things to do. But we don’t use pen and paper. Not even a computer. We both sit next to each other snugly on the couch, and use our iPads to write different chapters in the same story. Then we read each other’s chapter to each other. We use technology in a positive approach to still be close and together.
Physically Fit. Another down side to so much technology is the fact that it has a tendency to replace what we do physically. Instead of go out to the car, unlock it, get in and start it, we use our remote starts. Instead of sending snail mail, we use solely email. Instead of families in large homes walking to each other in other rooms, we use the monitors or cell phones.

Reminds me of Hayden Christenson’s character in Jumper when he could easy teleport, or “jump” anywhere, anytime. He got lazy. So he was watching TV and wanted to change the channel. He couldn’t reach the remote, which was on the other side of the couch or basically out of reach, so instead of physically getting up to get it, he teleported and “jumped” to it.

So the solution is to make sure we are just as active as we are dependent on technology. Equalize things out so that as much as we use technology, use physical motion and exercise.

Technology is not our enemy. It is not rising up to destroy mankind… yet. We are still the operators, the producers, the creators. Albert Einstein also said, “The human spirit must prevail over technology.”

We can use technology for our good and to help us, especially in these times we’re in with the COVID-19, and even after it has subsided. But what and how we deal with the forced dependency on technology now during the crisis will most likely dictate what and how we use it after the crisis.

Let’s make this work for us, and not end up working for it!

If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner.
– Omar Bradley (General, US Army)

(1) https://www.bio.org/blogs/gene-therapy-20-no-longer-science-fiction