Technology or spirituality: which one will 'save' us?

Many people these days believe that technology, andBill Gates is an excellent example of a tech-head who
in particular Information Technology, is the key tohas crossed over (unless his intentions by building
attaining a future world that is both ecologically andsoftware were always altruistic, were they?) into a
environmentally sustainable.more spiritual world of compassion and generosity.
Many people these days believe that technology, andThe world's richest man and his wife now run an
in particular Information Technology, is the key toorganization ( that invests huge amounts of money
attaining a future world that is both ecologically andinto medical research so that human children of the
environmentally sustainable, as well as being sociallyfuture needn't die of disease. They are focusing in
stable. Are they right? Others believe that a balancedparticular on helping poor children in developing
spirituality, one that focuses on generosity, peace,nations. Strangely enough, Bill has been strongly
and compassion will have to be the main ingredient incriticized by colleagues who don't see these ventures
a recipe for true human evolution. What do youas being profitable. However, many others have been
think? Is this a black and white issue? It seems thatinspired by such generosity and so have invested
most challenges that humanity comes across thesebillions in the same schemes.
days are solved by thinking laterally, often withOn the other hand, a friend of mine told me the
multiple answers and solutions being utilized. Thisother day about how one of the most famous
diverse approach to solving problems may be thespiritual leaders in the world, Tibet's 14th Dalai Lama,
'angle' that we need to take in order to become thehas just put a website on the Internet at Now
safe, healthy, happy world that we have alwayspeople interested in Buddhism all over the world can
dreamt about. Could technology and spirituality oneread about and even communicate with this
day combine to form one mighty force? Some mightrenowned peaceful human being. On the Internet: and
even ask, "Is it already happening now, right beneathhe's not the only one sharing wisdom on the web, let
our noses?"me tell you. Do you see the picture slowly
Working for an Internet company I am pretty muchmaterializing in your frontal lobe? There's something
surrounded by 'technical' people; analytical people,going on here.
problem solvers. When I first arrived in the office ISome people think that technology will 'save' us.
was shocked by the complete lack of biological andOthers think we need to go back in time, back to
aesthetic life here. No plants, no photos or paintingstribal ways of living in order to create the social
on the wall. It was definitely not a place one wouldcohesion necessary for our species to grow together
think of when contemplating spirituality. Spiritual placesand survive as one. The answer could be more
are forests, oceans, ancient temples, artsimplistic than we ever may have imagined. Building
galleries-definitely not I.T. offices. I wondered howsoftware is great, but if the maker's sole intention is
my fellow species could survive in an environment sofor personal gain and immense wealth, well, be
devoid of beauty, nature, and creativity-ironically thecareful if you're investing. I've read that if one builds
one power we need to develop new technologies.a fence with anger and suffering (yelling at the planks
They all looked so content staring into their blueof wood when they don't line up properly), relations
computer monitors, fingers ticking softly and speedilywith neighbors may deteriorate. If one cooks a meal
on their keyboards. It was actually frightening; awith love and enjoyment through the meal-making
horror film where the soft, constant, monotonousprocess, your family and friends will enjoy the flavors
ticking is the only sound filtering through the emptymore, and show more gratitude for your efforts.
silence.Sound like superstition? Attitude is everything.
After studying and reading about many differentTechnology may be a major factor in our world's
religions and cultures one gets a pretty good picturesurvival, but only if it walks hand-in-hand with an
of what a spiritual person looks like. Or do you? Areattitude that is truly focused on the betterment of
people that transparent that you can tell what theirhumankind. What better thing to work for? We all
intentions are just by observing their material/physicalspend a lifetime chipping away at our goals and
self? Are all priests generous? Are all tech-headsdreams. Why not build your next program with the
oblivious to the larger pictures of the Earth and theintention of evolving our species to the next level?
infinite Universe that we are part of? The answersOr, is that what you've been doing from the start?
are starting to reveal themselves.