Purpose of technology is to reduce human effort (time and energy). Before accepting this argument for using technology one can ask a question to himself- What have I done with that saved energy and time?
If answer to these questions falls in category of Adhyaatmik vikas, benefit of others, better health of self and family members (including reduced dependency on hospitals, medicines etc), peace of mind etc. One should keep on using technology.
For a large number of people answer to the question would not be in the above category… rather more use of technology has led to higher anxiety, more time wastage on roads, disturbed social life, unfit body, improper mental health, higher expenditure on medical facilities and so on.
How can swawlamban change this?
स्वावलम्बन – not depending on anybody for basic needs – mainly food and clothing. This can be extended to any type of need.
But more importantly it depends on unit of analysis. Swawlamban at individual level, at family level, society level etc. The works, even on having physical capacity to do if are avoided or outsourced fall in category of dependence. However, this does not mean that group work or healthy inter dependence should be avoided. Suppose in a family one prepares food, one washes clothes, one does outside work etc – that family is swawlambi (every individual may not be doing all his work, but contributing in works of home). This is inter-dependence, which is part of being swawlamban. Similarly, if one does not have the expertise or physical capability and then gets work done through others is ok. For example, if someone cannot drive and hires a driver, or someone in old age gets help from others…these are not dependence.
But when one applies principles of increasing efficiency of machines by only earning more and more money and then getting these works done through others by paying money…that is not swawlamban.
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