As I read the articles for this week and watched the entire series of The Betrayal of Technology by Jacques Ellul, I found myself reflecting back and deeply connecting to a famous quote by Jeff Goldblum in the movie Jurassic Park.  It went like this

“..your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.”

Honestly until this course I had never really though critically about technology.   I naively enjoyed the benefits it has brought to my life and although there were aspects I didn’t like it about it, I didn’t give much thought to these in relation to the bigger picture of humankind.  Similar to others who posted the challenge of fully understanding Heideggers article, I too found I had to read and reread it to try to make sense of his ideas.  Although I am positive that I haven’t fully understood the breadth and depth of what he was saying, his words caused me to realize that we are ‘enframed’ by technology.   Understanding this powerful notion had me wondering about the dangers of being enframed.

My previous five Master’s classes were all face-to-face and each instructor used PowerPoint.   I had never thought of PowerPoint as shaping my my way of thinking as Adams (2008) suggests.  As I lay in bed I began to wonder if this was true and if so, has it damaged my ability to think.   As we are continually met with new technology, I believe similar to Heidegger that we must reflect and ponder “the fact that all saving power must be of a higher essence than what is endangered, though at the same time kindred to it” (p. 18).   Miils (2003) article offers a lens through which educators can view, question and thoughtfully examine new technology which I feel provides a great starting point.

What I have taken away from this week is that “We are only free when we become conscious of that which determines are life”(Ellul, The Betrayal of Technology, Part 6).  In terms of answering the question ‘What is the philosophy of technology?’, Kapan’s (2004) definition resonates with me.   I particularly like his definition for the task for a philosophy of technology, in which he discusses how we need to be aware of how it mediates and transforms our lives.   Although I am thankful for having my eyes opened, I think the possibilities of where my thoughts on this subject could take me may cause some sleepless nights.