THE NEW GOD ON THE BLOCK
What is our era not the end of? The End of History, the End of Civilization, the End of Education and more have been declared, but apparently, someone forgot to inform Time, for all keeps moving along. There is one thing, though, whose end has not been proclaimed, namely the End of Technology. In fact, if anything, it has become stronger than ever; it plays an increasingly central role in our lives. Hard to believe but nevertheless true. Yes, if anything is alive and well, it is Technology.
We describe it most often in terms of power, but what I suspect many would like to say but do not is that it is "omnipotent". We blithely call it "smart", but for many, the better word would be "omniscient". We say it is "pervasive", but we should probably say it is "omnipresent". Omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Sound familiar? Not too long ago, these three words – used together, just as they are here – were perhaps the shortest, most poignant description of what many called God. But Zarathustra has told us, and now we know: God is dead.
God was once the King. But, the King is dead. Long live the King! for another takes his place. One could think we are reverting to polytheism, or perhaps the kingdom is only being subdivided amongst the heirs. For some, the new god on the block is Money (and they are known as Capitalists); for others, the new god is Technology. Or is this simply a re-enactment of an older, almost forgotten story. The Once-living God sent his Son to save us. Has now the new god sent its offspring to save us again (or finally)? There are many who maintain that it is Technology which will save us. It would seem the more things change, the more they stay the same.