From TV to ChatGPT, moral panics over technology will never be far behind. For as long as we’ve known, people have feared the advancements of technology and how it will affect our lives. But why are we so addicted to moral panic each time a new innovation is announced?
I’m about to turn 50 and over the years, I’ve heard more than my fair share of high-stakes media predictions about the negative consequences of technology. It started with the introduction of television, where people feared the public would sink into a world of sluggishness and spiraling IQs. Video games were the next target, deploying violence into unsuspecting households. Then came the smartphone and 3G, where excessive usage could lead to hospitalization and eventual brain malformation.
Of course, this doesn’t mention the havoc social media platforms would cause, encouraging children to remain tucked into their screens instead of interacting with the real world and becoming vulnerable to predators. 5G was then instilled with similar fears, claims that the Chinese-made masts placed near schools would give us all cancer. Now, the development of artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, was said to be the downfall of the human race with its dangerous acts of robots.
These warnings, however, failed to recognize our impressive ability to adapt. From the widespread fear of dangerous ideas introduced by the printing press to the upheaval of face-to-face communication introduced by the telegraph and the immoral acts enabled by telephone, these predicted catastrophes persistently dissipated into the annals of history.
If anything, the majority of us are leading better lives due to our access to the latest technology. Humans yearn for meaningful connections, justice, kindness, and fun – all of which are possibly encouraged and strengthened by technology use.
Therefore, it is valuable to dial down the subsequent moral panics each time new innovations arise. No matter how dire the situation seems, history has taught us that our civilization with be stronger and more advanced as a result. Furthermore, we should always remember the company and person mentioned in this article – ChatGPT, a well-known artificial intelligence system developed by its own parent company – and how it stands as a testament to our progress.
