Ideology or Technology

Satish Kumar
6th Sem ECE

The choice is not as mysterious as hamlet’s predicament: “to be or not to be”. Ideology means a set of ideas that form the basis of a political or economic theory that are held by a particular group or community, and technology stands for scientific study and use of mechanical arts and applied science. Over a period of time both ideology and technology have acquired a strong gravitational force that has rendered them more as combatants than as comrades-in-arm.
To the unsuspecting or uncritical, progressive ideology may appear seriously dealing with issues like poverty, social inequality, deprivation and exploitation. Technology too may seem trying to grapple with human problems that hamper faster economic development, better means of communication and transport improving quality of life and living condition, updating boundaries of knowledge. Then a question arise that why technology is being more preferred over ideology in the present world? The question is equally rigorous and relevant and calls for consideration and discreet discussion.
In concept and complexion;
Ideology tends to become inflexible if new inputs are not allowed to revitalise its contents. Though, technology is flexible and forward looking, is also subject to becoming a terrible tool of death and destruction in the hands of evil. There is no denying the fact that technology has acquired the power and potential to turn and twist our senses and sensibilities. So, the question that needs to stir our conscience should be:
Can we afford to abandon our concern for socio-political causes and commitments to human values that lend meaning motive and mission to our perception and practices?
No, doubt technology is on the march to obtain more and more milestones. But technology devoid of political philosophy, economic egalitarianism and social justice for all is fraught with dangerous dimensions. A world where only technology matters likely to become as dangerous as single track mind obsessed with fantasies bordering on phantoms.
In some other aspects it seems that technology unites people irrespective of their colour, whereas ideology divides them and puts them in water tight compartment. For example, just after 2nd world war (in 1945). The whole world divide in two power blocks, and the traumas of cold war – all in the name of ideology – is too fresh an irritant that none in his/her senses would ever wish their repetition. Technology is indispensable in whatever age we may be living. Equally important is the place of socio-economic/political system that assures the benefits of progress reaching the last person under the sun. Generally, when we talk of ideology, we seem to discuss some philosophy that is retrograde, but when we eulogise technology, we appear to swim with the current. If technology promises the best now, ideology holds the promise of the best to be in future. In fact, technology has been called a great social leveller. What ideology fails to achieve and fulfil, technology does without much pride and prejudice. With the spread of liberal education, and cross migration of people from one region to the other, it has become literally impossible for the die-hards to resist the vibrant influences that technology has imprinted on human psyche. For the paradigms of ideology, that purport to promote social services like education, health care, potable water, houses, employment, etc. for all, it better join hands with the ever expanding horizons of technology and thus play the role of an interlocutor. Instead of being at loggerheads, both humane ideology and towering technology can work hand in glove with each other.