Reimagining Technology for a Just Future

Perhaps two of the most dangerous and destructive technologies developed over the past 500 years have been Whiteness and nuclear weapons. Both operate with an underlying assumption of scarcity – that there's only so much to go around, and we must fiercely protect our own interests, even at the expense of others. They thrive in a climate of fear, where people are convinced that if they don't grab what they can, someone else will.

Whiteness, and its derivative – the hierarchy of human value – are in essence, technologies of division. They whisper in our ears, telling us we are superior, and encouraging us to cling to that "superiority" in place of an authentic sense of self-worth. This insidious lie keeps us distracted and at odds with each other, preventing the kind of solidarity needed to create a truly just world. And nuclear weapons? They are the ultimate technology of destruction. We've amassed enough of these devastating weapons to obliterate ourselves many times over, all in the name of "security." Yet, how many people are feeling secure in today's world?

But here's the truth that often gets buried beneath the noise: there are enough resources here on our home planet for us all to live well. So what can we do to counteract the destruction that Whiteness and nuclear weapons have wreaked on our society? How can we pour more of our ingenuity and resources into technologies that foster connection, healing, and regeneration?

We need more technologies that will help us heal the wounds we've inflicted on our planet, technologies that help us to communicate with each other on a deeper level, technologies that support the flourishing of all beings. We need to invest in technologies that nurture empathy and understanding, that help us bridge divides and build authentic relationships. We need to prioritize technologies that promote well-being, that help us connect with our own bodies and the natural world.

The truth is, we have a choice. We can continue down the path of destruction in the name of security, clinging to the outdated technologies of Whiteness and nuclear weapons. Or we can choose a different path, one that leads to a more just and loving world. One of humanity's special gifts is our ability to develop new technologies. How we choose to use that gift, whether we put it to work in service of fear or in service of love, will determine the future.

In the words of John Lennon, "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."