Question

1. How would you apply Heidegger's assessment of "technology" in general to modern information technology, and to communications technology in particular?
2. How can we understand information as a "standing-reserve?" Can information be viewed as a resource in the same way that we view coal or petroleum? Why or why not?
3. What are the consequences of Heidegger's concentration on technology in the West? Can you think of different scenarios involving technology in different global contexts?
4. Do you agree with Heidegger's conception of the "enframing" as a basic element of human consciousness? Is there any evidence against this universal "truth"?
5. Does it surprise you that Heidegger, who first presented this lecture in 1949, makes no mention of the Second World War, nor of the particularly horrifying applications of technology in his country during that war?
6. How do Heidegger's argument compare with those of the environmentalist and anti-nuclear movements of today? How do they compare with the anti-technological arguments of the so-called Luddites?
7. How would you characterize the dangers of modern technology? How do your concerns compare with Heidegger's?
8. From your own perspective, what are the particular dangers inherent in technology in the Pacific region today?
9. Do you agree with Heidegger's characterization of art and the artist? How does Heidegger's conception of art's function in society correspond to your own?

Answer 1

1. According to Heidegger technology is a lens through which we are exposed to reality. Modern technology is seen to disclose all sources of reality including human beings as a sum of resources available. Perhaps all types of modern technology including the one dealing with technology is altering our relationship to reality up to the capability of resources which help us in modern technology. Social media can be cited as an example here. Previously we go outside and meet people and maintain relationships. But today modern communication means as social media are seen to limit our relationship to the outer world up to its capacity only.

2. Let's first understand the meaning of standing reserve. Standing reserve clearly means instrumentality. Perhaps it is defined as the instrumental orientation of a technology. Let's consider an airplane as an example. The airplane uses modern technology but is a standing reserve as its main purpose is the mode of transportation through the air from one location to another. As per Heidegger technology has the capability of transforming humanity into standing reserve as to gain information. To elaborate on this idea let's consider a forester who completely depends on paper or paper industry for his living. Papers are used in the print industry for printing information in newspapers which are of vital information for readers across the globe.

Let's answer the second and third part of this question. Let's take the print industry and petroleum industry here. Information from both industries are of profit to humanity and can be considered close to each other to an extent and not the same. However, we must note here that paper industry development is possible with human being effort in planting paper trees across. But on the other hand, coal or petroleum cannot be reproduced with human being effort as these are completely non - renewable. They should be used very carefully to ensure that the resource will last for a longer time for upcoming generations. Hence information from coal or petroleum needs to be carefully oriented and distributed for the benefit of humanity and reserve for upcoming generation as compared to the paper industry which can easily be replenished with time with good profit.