Technology: Our hope, or hell

When it comes to Climate Change, technology consistently receives some of the most mixed reviews. It is, in the same breath, condemned for pollution and then vaunted as the only hope of our salvation in the form of wind, solar, and hydro energy as well as greater efficiency. How is it that our feelings towards technology are so mixed? We are alternately Luddites and technophiliacs, slandering technology one moment and then praising it the next.

If we take a moment to review some technological advances, and see if there is a common trend shared among them, we might get a better understanding of what our future holds for us.

The wheel: It think we could put this solidly in the "good" category, though in recent times the things we've begun to attach to wheels (namely, motors) are somewhat more objectionable.

The hammer: Though helpful, the hammer is as much a sign of destruction as growth. The same hammer could one day construct a house and the next, a gallows. Next, it could be put to work tearing both down.

Nuclear energy: Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned this. A bit polarizing. Let's just say that no consensus has yet been reached by environmentalists, but the possibility of good is likely outweighed by the possibility of nuclear winter.
Things to think about as well: Nuclear waste, Nuclear weapons, North Korea

Wind Turbines: Most would argue to place this one in the good category—finally true cheap and clean energy. Yet I feel that we must ask, what will we use the energy for? We could use it to power homes, or factories spewing smog into the air. We could charge electric cars or power gas stations continuing to pump out fuel.

And this then, is our answer. Technology is not an answer in itself. We must ask, what will we use it for? It is just a tool, to use for good or ill, with fine or hurtful intentions. Technology could save us, if we found out how to best implement it and did so for those purposes alone. However, it could just as easily (and much more quickly) destroy any hope we have of continuing life on this earth as we know it.