Explaining technology

It started with tools. Axes to chop wood. Wheels to transport items. An abacus to count. A compass to navigate the world. A printing press to share ideas.

Technological advancement continues to accelerate. There are people alive today that were born in a world without computers. It's hard to imagine what a child born today will live to see. How do we set them up for this world of rapid change and uncertainty?

An instruction manual is a reasonable place to start. Instruction manuals are a relatively new concept. They were sent with machinery created during the industrial revolution of the 1800s. But even today, they are limited to tools and appliances that have constrained operating conditions. How do we teach children to be responsible participants in complex global systems of technology like the economy and the internet?

It starts with humility. Recognizing the limits of human nature in ourselves and others. Understanding failure modes that arise when these limits are pushed. Embracing the unknown unknowns. Using the wisdom we've earned over time through our own use of technology. This is the foundation for the critical thinking needed to navigate complexity.

Then comes the work. It would be easy enough to answer a curious child's question with "I don't know". That's a good start, but it is just that. The real work goes into the conversation about the search for answers; the exploration of the unknown. What is the best path towards a solution? What are the best tools to use? What happens when we get lost along the way?

This attempt at an instruction manual for thoughtfully teaching and navigating technology is difficult to lay out in any amount of words. The endeavor is worth it to embrace the humility and set in motion the work towards understanding.

The next installment will go into the different applications technology can play in our lives. Throughout the series we'll touch on the hot topics of discussion in 2025, like social media's role in our lives and the influence of AI on society. This is all to get our brains churning on how we can be the best shepherds of technology for ourselves and those we love and care for.

Originally published on Substack.