04级英语教育2班 何冰

My computer broke down some days ago. I was anxious like a cat on hot bricks. I ran around, calling for help, as if I were a mother who was impotent with a sick child. Finally, it gets on the right track, and I am released. But it sets me thinking about the essence of modern technology. Is it time for it to overthrow us?

Modern tools are like looming monsters, I would like to say first. They have brought with them both wonders and challenges. Household appliances help to make housework easier, but consume too much energy and money for maintenance. Vehicles enable us to travel with less effort and time, but there are threats of accidents. Computers act like human brains and help arrange things well, but when they refuse to work, there might be a big confusion. It seems that there would be no wonder if they did overtake us.

But let's set back and think it over again. Tools are tools, right? The essence is that they are invented by human beings for service. Frankly speaking, one can not make an omelette without breaking eggs. Advanced science and technology enable us to take advantage of more resources either natural or man-made. To have a full command of the seemingly smart nobles, it needs technological knowledge, skills, and patience. That is the destiny for conspicuous consumption of energy, time, money, and also brains. So, no complaints at this point.

Man has intelligence, but tools do not. Whether man would become a tool of his tools depends on how much he relies on them and how he manages them. There are people who just can’t go on with their life without the tools. They are kept in darkness without electricity, driven crazy without TV sets, and isolated without phones. All these, of course, are psychological depression from the disappearance of so-called “very important” things. What’s more, not all are as skillful as the experts. It makes things worse. As most of the modern tools have become part of our life, we have to face up a lot of trouble because of our incapability. If one depends too much on his tools but knows little about how to handle them, he would surely become a tool of his tools.

Just take a minute to go back to my problem. If I had not taken the noble head so seriously, would I have been that clumsy and nervous then? If I had a better command of the knowledge about computer, would I have been that awkward and stupid then? No, at least I could avoid incorrect operations and handle it better. If it refuses to work, ok, take the free spirit and resort to the original means for storing information.

Therefore, possibilities are that modern technology would make man a tool of his tools. However, it is up to us to make the decision. Skills and attitude are the two cardinal factors. Anyway, we should adjust ourselves to avoiding becoming the servants. Modern technology is man’s creation. It is there to make life easier, not to make it more difficult. It is there for us to make use of, not for itself to make use of us.

（指导老师：方燕副教授）