“Any tool can be used productively or destructively. But the most serious consequences of technology use are often quite subtle. The rapid adoption of new technology without reflection about possible impacts has sometimes upended longstanding social and cultural patterns, where entire domains of meaning and purpose in traditional cultures are displaced. In such circumstances, technology itself becomes a bearer and even disrupter of values; it can cause individuals and communities to adapt to technology rather than use technology to extend human capability in harmony with social goals and mores. This pattern of reverse adaptation, where technology structures and even defines the ends of human activity, is a widespread phenomenon. The choices we make about technology, then, particularly when not fully evaluating their implications, may be at variance with our essential purposes, ideals, and norms. For this reason, as individuals, families, communities, and societies, we must reflect about how we design and deploy technological tools.”
Source: Technology, Values, and the Shaping of Social Reality – Bahai World
Technology: A Double-Edged Sword
A lot of us use technology because it makes our lives easier. But how often do we pause to consider its deeper impact? Some of us may one day realize that the apps on our phones are not always serving us well. Others live in ignorant bliss. Regardless of how well-informed we are, technology shapes us—sometimes in ways we don’t expect.
The Lost Art of Neighborliness
Take, for example, getting to know our neighbors. Before the widespread use of technology, you would know everyone who lived around you. When you moved in, you introduced yourself. Relationships were built on proximity. Your neighbors were the people you looked to for help with a local problem.
Now, all our friends are at the touch of our fingertips. Wherever we go, they are with us. We no longer need to make an effort to get to know our neighbors. When we need something or are bored, we can hang out with our friends online. This sounds lovely—until you realize we might not be doing that anymore. When was the last time an app encouraged you to walk across the street instead of scrolling for another ten minutes?
The Illusion of Connection
Social media was built on the promise of greater connection, but it rarely facilitates a shared life. We see status updates, wedding photos, and feel virtually next to people, but the intentionality is gone. We have traded the depth of a neighborly chat for the breadth of a digital feed.
“We see more, but we connect less.”
I can’t remember the last time I made intentional plans with someone because I saw their social media post. We see more, but we connect less. As a result, we don’t know our neighbors, and we aren’t spending more quality time with our distant friends.
Rethinking Our Relationship with Tech
This doesn’t mean we should forgo technology altogether or ignore friends who live far away. Instead, we need to think clearly about why neighborhoods exist and what benefits we derive from those close to us. We can use technology to our advantage—maybe a neighborhood group chat, or simply texting the person across the street when we need something.
We need to build a new relationship with technology—both as consumers and as builders. If we develop tools simply for profit or convenience, we are giving in to an animalistic drive for ease that doesn’t serve our fellow man. To fulfill our true purpose, we must design tools that act as an extension of human capability, not a replacement for it.
The Mission of Neighborhood Technology Solutions
At Neighborhood Technology Solutions, we want to create products that bring people together. We aren’t interested in just chasing the next million-dollar idea if it leaves the community behind. If we make it big but fail to contribute to a better society, we haven’t actually won.
We want to build tools that know when to get out of the way so that human connection can happen. We believe that if a tool doesn’t eventually lead to a face-to-face interaction or a mutual act of help, it isn’t truly serving us.
Let’s choose technology that helps us extend our reach, rather than narrowing our world to the size of a screen.