I’ve never seen so much of my neighbors in the past couple of weeks. Everyone seems to be outside walking lately. I see my neighbors actually hanging out outside and talking to one another from across the street. They are staying six feet away from each other but they’re still visiting. It’s really been amazing to watch.
I bring this up because of an objection I sometimes get when I explain my worldview on tech. My worldview is that the tech which is truly going to transform society is tech which brings the world to you. Meaning the transportation of data. Not moving people or things.
Inevitably, someone will raise the question on whether it’s desirable to always remain at home. To which I answer “Of course not”. The point is that you would leave the house when you want to. On your own terms. You may enjoy visiting a new restaurant. But visiting ten stores to find a new refrigerator? Not so much. If you no longer had to travel to accomplish tasks like grocery shopping or paying bills, you have more time to do other things.
But this worldwide Sabbath of sorts has helped me to see some unintended consequences of not going anywhere. People are more interested in their communities. They are taking more interest in their neighbors. They are taking more time for exercise. They are getting outside and enjoying nature.
If the technology of tomorrow helped more people to work from home, there would be a renewed interest in community. It’s also possible that if people started working from home that families would live within walking distance of each other, or at least an easy drive. Since getting a specific job wouldn’t mean having to move.
It’s entirely possible that technology which brings the world to you, could lead to more human interaction, not less. But that would be up to the individual. We’d at least have more time since the commute would go away.
Inevitably, someone will raise the question on whether it’s desirable to always remain at home. To which I answer “Of course not”. The point is that you would leave the house when you want to. On your own terms. You may enjoy visiting a new restaurant. But visiting ten stores to find a new refrigerator? Not so much. If you no longer had to travel to accomplish tasks like grocery shopping or paying bills, you have more time to do other things.
But this worldwide Sabbath of sorts has helped me to see some unintended consequences of not going anywhere. People are more interested in their communities. They are taking more interest in their neighbors. They are taking more time for exercise. They are getting outside and enjoying nature.
If the technology of tomorrow helped more people to work from home, there would be a renewed interest in community. It’s also possible that if people started working from home that families would live within walking distance of each other, or at least an easy drive. Since getting a specific job wouldn’t mean having to move.
It’s entirely possible that technology which brings the world to you, could lead to more human interaction, not less. But that would be up to the individual. We’d at least have more time since the commute would go away.
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