In lieu of the predominant global crisis we've managed to get ourselves into, my essay has been rewritten. Instead of just listing the moral and ethical problems we encounter when considering technological features of modern society (ie: genetic engineering, the internet, etc) I wish to also address the philosophical and technological problems that are upon us at this very moment in human evolution, concerning the tragic occurrences of September 11th, 2001 and the global response that followed.

     While it is hardly necessary to reiterate the events of what is now considered to be the most devastating and disastrous terrorist attack on America, and how what's happened perfectly exemplifies the problems that human culture can encounter when technology falls into the hands of those who are consumed by a hunger for power and control. Considering that the horrifying images still burn intensely, and repeatedly, in the memories of millions, I give my apologies to anyone who finds offense in my interpretations. But as I see it, society has begun an awesome shift in cultural and technological values, from a time of propagating towards material consumption and capitalistic control, to gravitating towards global unification and support through compassion and sympathy.

     Firstly, I would like to note, that up until recently, my biggest problem with technology has been that it is largely developed for, deployed on, and abused by, the impressionable consumer market. As well as the fact that it has deluded the youth of America astray from the esoterically important morals and values that exist in the foundations of the world we live in. While technological advances has made everyday life more enjoyable, by creating an abundance of leisure time, that was non-existent in previous generations, I feel it has also created a dull hum (for lack of better analogy) in the minds of most of today's youth. Instead of playing baseball, children now find retreat in governing a digital player from the comfortable seat cushions of their couches. Instead of learning how to socialize publicly, kids find sanctuary in chatting with others across the Internet, without ever leaving their rooms. By subjugating themselves to a virtual reality of big screen TV's, cosmetically altered movie stars, high speed internet, and a myriad of other technological advances of human culture, they thereby remove themselves from the realistic life process that endows experience, action, lesson, and maturity to instill the elemental morals within an individual.

     But, from the overwhelming humanitarian reaction evoked from this week's tragedy, I am reminded of the possibility that those "lost" ethical principles lie dormant in the minds of most people, hibernating until a point in time would come where these "forgotten" morals would actually be of use. It seems as though the gigantic wave of commercialism, capitalism, superficiality, and materialism that has encapsulated society for the past 50 years, is finally beginning to subside towards equilibrium. Although I find it rather disappointing that these values remain dormant until the majority of the human population feels that their essential rights to life, liberty, and happiness are viciously threatened. Human culture is entering a very important stage of our evolution on earth. For the past 50 years, people have been primarily concerned with the acquisition of material and superficial comforts, and have left the "hippies", environmentalists, psychologists, scientists, and other human welfare "specialists" to be concerned about the ethical and moral aspects of life. Now, as the new century is beginning, so is a new global culture. The effects of the media and tragic events have brought unity between many countries of the world. People are donating their goods, time, and money to help assess the unfortunate situation that has fallen upon America.

     How does all this apply to the original question: what are the problems with technology? Considering the frantic mindset of action that many people have assumed, and adding to it the deep remorse and sadness that has captured their hearts, what I am finding above most else, is a passionate anger and trembling fear. These emotions of anger and fear and vengeance I believe are the result of our long deluded society. Who up until recently, was consumed with capitalistic fervor. World unification is a beautiful evolution, but what exactly will this unification of souls stand for? What will be the fundamental laws and morals of the united culture? Will capitalisim rise again as our world unification adverts its attention to the new forms of materialism and superficiality? Or will this unification bring a more spiritual, wholesome, universally beneficial existence on earth? These questions I believe are the most pending questions considering the problems with technology and society today. The answers I do not know, but I am eagerly awaiting the answers, while doing all I can to assess that the latter of these ideologies result.

     In conclusion, I'd like to point out, that there exists an insurmountable number of problems with the technology that is developed and made available to human culture. As our intelligence and technology has been developing at an incredibly fast pace, our ideologies and morals of exactly how this technology should be used have not developed quite so fast. While everyone knows not to hand an eleven year old a pistol, not many people have grasped the concept of how to keep self concerned capitalists (or any other combination of dangerous politicians) out of our governing bodies. While identifying problems is rather easy since there are an infinite amount of them, developing solutions is somewhat tougher. Perhaps another paper would be better suited for propositions for solutions, since I think I've already exceeded the expected length of this one. But I sincerely believe, that our most important technological, and cultural problem right now is the direction of society once the unifications of cultures around the globe, is completed, and who exactly will be leading it. Do we really trust our "village idiot"?