Technology Instructs Culture

Stephen K. Ainsah-Mensah

No coalescence or assimilation or coexistence of cultures appears right if the process does not come from the voluntary will of the participants. Coercion could lead to cooperation but with some misgivings from the coerced culture(s); and this merely postpones dissension. Technology energizes the base of culture. It brings culture to a new level of relationship with the natural environment and may tempt a rather vigorous exploitation of the natural environment. Eventually, the culture may lack the critical resources to keep its spirit. That is where resources may be sought elsewhere, and if not available, force may be used to acquire them. The idea of controlling other cultures, micromanaging them or appropriating them, stems from this reality. But this way of doing things, while it may be claimed to be quite unreasonable is inevitable; for once technology is launched on the road to unimpeded success, its roots and branches ought to be nurtured by a natural environment, which may not have the full capacity to do so. At last, technology hangs unto culture as if a natural connection has failed; and while all sorts of planning within the framework of technology could stimulate progress, it is social planning that appears to slow down as technological creativity tends to disregard the collective human elements of progress in the society.