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Obviously, there are many components contributing to a global resurgence of irrational perspectives, superstition, religious sentiment, and faith. From my own observations, however, I have come across an important element I haven’t seen mentioned so far: It’s called progress.

When I grew up as a teenager in Bavaria, Southern Germany, we lived through boom years and relative affluence. We had a house, cars, TV, holidays and so on. Little has changed in the sense that products today have really different purposes compared to then.

However, there is one big difference. The feeling has changed. As a kid, I repaired my bicycle. As a teenager, I fixed my radio; I built Hi-Fi systems and even tuned my car. Products often came from factories nearby.

These days I can hardly do similar things. Technology, in the name of progress and cost, has run amok, leading away from us at a fast pace. Electronic elements that steer your car, your washing machine are unique parts only the specialized workshop can replace and tune-up. The Hi-Fi set, arguably cheaper than in the old days, has become a completely incomprehensible set of irreparable technology. It’s all Chinese junk full of toxic metals that will end up in landfills soon, and poison aquifers. Does complex technology benefit the customer? It might, because it’s cheaper (thanks to slave work conditions), compared to what it used to be, in real terms. Does it fit the general public? Here my answer is a clear: No.

Progress has not only empowered people; it has also disenfranchised the customers. We clearly have gone too far! We have become a hopeless bunch surrounded by technology we are not able to master any longer.

Consequences of this finding are far from trivial. If me, the fairly well educated technical professional feels outwitted by progress, how would people with a lesser level of education feel and react? How do today’s teenagers fare, when they leave school? Where are the car mechanics jobs today? I was told that the new versions of Mercedes and Lexus cars are shunned by the wealthy African elites. Why? Simply because there isn’t anyone out there, who knows how to repair these vehicles, once they fall prey to the glory of African roads, and maintenance culture. Progress has run away from us in such ways, that playing catch-up has become an almost impossible task. Customers aren’t controlling the products that shape their lives any longer.

Feeling disenfranchised and disoriented people tend to turn to conservative religious or other emotionally-based value systems. It’s like the drowning swimmer who tries to grab whatever floats around. Regardless of being right or wrong, religious systems are beyond reasoning and hence give the illusion of comfort. What cannot be argued about must be right, ok? Unfortunately, however, this is leading people away from the real issues that we face in this world today – overpopulation, habitat destruction, climate change, drinking water shortage. People are lulled into systems of beliefs that feel emotionally comfortable but don’t offer any help for the problems of our overcrowded, polluted and freaking-out planet.

In a nutshell, the general public needs to reclaim its rights for the products it deals with.

There are a number of things that can be done. The ball is in the court of the lawmakers, but little is done given it doesn’t fit anyone’s special interest. In particular, there are three points that come to my mind:

1. Simplicity. Bills need to be written that spell out the degree of technology that should be applied in respect of certain commodities and appliances. Some products should use proven and simple technology, without shunning, however innovation and, yes, progress.

2. Green technology. An emphasis should be put on green technology, too. It doesn’t make sense to drive around in a 400 hp cars, with highly sophisticated electronics managing the ‘system’ to allow a ‘reasonable’ gas consumption, if a simple, 50 hp and environmentally friendly car could address our needs for a fraction of cost, little or no negative environmental impact, and so simple that can be repaired by our neighbor. It doesn’t make sense to produce non-recyclable packaging (acrylic plastic bottles, for instance), that have an environmental decomposition period of 10 years plus, if used for a product that is consumed in a minute.

3. Education is seen lagging behind; it’s often teaching for a world of yesterday’s technology and products. This has to change, too. Technology is also increasingly running away, and people have problems in mentally separating science from technology applications.

There is no doubt that reason, logical thinking, and modern education have solved many of our problems. Ratio has guided civilization out off the nightmares created by religious ignorance and emotional suppression. That’s why ratio, simplicity, science and technology need to be brought back to the people!

© 2007 by Franz L Kessler