Technology isn't always the answer

Dr. Oron Watts makes synthetic beef from stem cells in the Tissue Engineering and Organ Fabrication Laboratory at Harvard. The product is edible, protein rich and low in fat. It costs pennies to produce compared to beef raised on the hoof, and is slated to grace our grocery store shelves within the next decade. However, Dr. Watts observes,” My concern is that we are going to see renewed trust in the idea that we can use technology to solve the problems created by our use of technology.”

I concur with the good doctor. I don’t think we have the smarts to correct our techno screw-ups, past, present or future.

Shouldn’t we have given nuclear waste containment and long-term storage of such a bit more thought before building a global nuclear network? Japan’s nuclear leak will reach America’s shores within a year.

Pesticides, fertilizers, the toxic synthetic poisons we create and ingest, as a weapon, or to battle diseases caused by our own reckless consumption?

Embracing the use of fossil fuels when we know the consequences.

Seeing as how we used such stellar judgment in these instances, to name a few, technology now wants to hang out by my ear, in my lap, while huge corporations tell me life isn’t worth living without their newest product. I am skeptical of mini computer electric zaps mixing with my brain waves; I question tiny screens and their long-term effect on my sight.

We are going to “techno” ourselves right out of a place to live.

LAURIE WADKINS

Priest River