The Corean Chronicles
Is There A "Tools" Fallacy?
Are there "tools" or institutions that influence people toward "bad" or "uncivil" or "unethical" or even "unproductive" behavior, by their superficial attractiveness or other attributes?
Moreover, do we tend to minimize the negative impacts of these tools because their other attributes overshadow in our minds --or emotions -- their true costs to both individuals and society?
I'd certainly submit that this may well be the case with modern communications technology. Psychologists have already determined that computer/games/cellphone type equipment is highly addictive to certain personalities, and, as I noted earlier, instant communications seem to foster a rather wide range of behaviors that are either impolite, unethical, counter-productive, or just plain illegal. Obviously, the technology, as that reader noted, is not at fault, but, nonetheless, with the wide-spread use of that technology, we're seeing problems we didn't see before, or at least not on the wide-scale scope and severity as at present.
Another tool that has engendered incivility and an extremely high number of fatalities is the automobile. Because of its convenience, its utility, and its versatility, we don't want to do without them, and certainly there's nothing inherently "evil" about cars, except perhaps in the eyes of greenhouse extremists. Yet... what is there about a car that provokes human behavior that ranges from merely stupid to downright lethal? Vehicle deaths in the
Firearms are another case in point. Like it or not, they're implicated in nearly 30,000 deaths a year, roughly 47% being suicides and 48% being homicides. While guns don't pull their own triggers, a prevalence of firearms does result in higher death rates. This may be simply because they're more effective than other weapons, but that effectiveness combines with human nature to result in a rather high body count... particularly in the U.S.
Another area is electronic music. While seldom fatal, the ability of amplified music to penetrate thick walls and sealed vehicles is resulting in increasing hearing losses among listeners, usually younger people. And, of course, hearing losses must be compensated for by higher volume levels... causing greater hearing loss... and none of them ever seem to consider turning down the volume.
Likewise, the institution of ubiquitous fast food and other forms of "instant nourishment" has resulted in an epidemic of obesity in the
So... while such tools and institutions do not in themselves require unfortunate results, does their presence and ease of utilization result in an influence that is biased toward less than optimal human behavior? If so, can and should we ignore that influence by arguing that such less than optimal human behaviors are solely personal decisions?
No... it's not the tools, not exactly, but... I have to wonder whether the tools are somehow stronger than some people's common sense and willpower...or whether an awful lot of people are "intelligence impaired."
It is nice driving around inside my warm car, especially since we had a boon of snow last night in Cedar. I did spend about an hour outside with a shovel making sure my family and I could get out and nobody would slip on ice. But on the road there were many... crazies out there. People on cellphones, eating/drinking and driving, going too fast, or otherwise distracted. It was a dangerous adventure to reach everyone's destinations. I was almost hit several times by distracted drivers or others going to fast for conditions.
I think it is the convenience which traps many of us. We are used to getting what we want, getting our way so fast, that patience and smelling roses are qualities seldom expressed. And it is this entitlement which further drags us down to become dependent upon our tools for "more, and faster," results or gratification. When one of our tools fails us, we tend to blame it, call it names, find a way to fix it or pitch it. How many of us know people who would be devastated at the loss of their cell phones? If they couldn't have a cigarette for the day? If Starbucks was closed?
The tools can be blamed only so far as we become attached to the ease and comfort they bring to us. It is still ultimately our fault for their misuse and the damage done, but we could alter the tools, or be more responsible.
We have, well had, an increased number of people moving to Cedar City from Las Vegas and California, places where snow isn't an obstacle. I live on a hill where I can watch much of the city, and during our first snow, I sat at the window watching it fall. It was beautiful, save for the many, seemingly endless sirens. We become comfortable with our tools and rely on them to solve problems, but they are tools, we must learn to control ourselves, our impulses, and use tools properly.
While certainly not the end-all conclusion, there is certainly a strikingly powerful correlation between 'tool use' and marketing. Gosh, I aught to know given my years of experience in the field and that I am a psychology major.
Let me explain. Way back when advertising was little understood and the 'build it and they will come' beliefs were still fostered, one lone psychologist was kicked out of his organization for being seen as 'unethical'. Said psychologist then turned his attention to the private sector and focused on what is now known as market research. Basically he dug through trashcans to prove to Campbell's Soup Co. that a certain class of people perceived by the company to not buy their products, did in fact buy a great deal of the company's soup. The company switched marketing tactics and sales soars. The psychologist's notoriety soared.
This individual psychologist was pivotal for shaping the way marketing was performed. Some have even attributed the term 'sex sells' to this man because of his methods. Those methods involve a great deal of understanding human nature, and more to the point, classic conditioning.
My point, if you have followed so far, is that the way in which we use the tools (for good or ill) is often determined by the marketing that sold them in the first pace. Pay attention to the commercials on television, the displays in stores, and the packaging of the products to confirm for yourself.
I do not, however, place the blame on the industries that produce the goods, nor the industry that markets the goods to the consumer. The blame rests solely on the end user for their objective interrogation of the information provided. Basically, if you are conditioned (brainwashed) to use a 'tool' a certain way, you have only yourself to blame.
My point exactly. It isn't some random creativity that goes into marketing; it's knowledge of human nature and how best to manipulate it.
Consider how much absolutely useless junk or inferior products are sold each year. Heck, look at Wal-Mart's business model. (Although, I'll concede the model they use has become less effective in light of current marketing tactics by other companies designed to erode the market share of Wal-mart).
It is interesting to note that in my own field, furniture maker, the modern tools that were meant to increase efficiency have merely led to woodworkers that are not as skilled, are far lazier, and work at the same speed as their counterpart 300 years ago. Not only that but the cost of entry into the field is higher due to the cost of the machinery, and overhead costs are higher due to the cost of running the machines.
Gottcha. There are a variety of causes and conditions producing the form and function of contemporary technology. I think the notion of "single causes" and "single effects" coupled with a fixation on an unattainable level of certainty are underlying a lot of the problems we see as the end result of these mental and material processes.
The frustrating thing is that it effects even low technology. I am currently looking for a workable bookshelf, and am finding even minimal requirements cannot be met. All that is readily available is overpriced particle board, which significantly reduces the life span of most paper. It is - however - remarkably easy to find decent, tasteful wood shelving units far too small for books, but just perfect for DVDs etc.
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