Sometimes children are simply the best advisors. They have the golden key for consulting success in their pockets when they are no more than two or three years old. And they do not hesitate to use it unceasingly. This key consists of a single word with three letters: “Why?”

Why (!) am I writing that? Because we should never stop asking ourselves this question if we do not want to be swept away in a world of innovations and technology. If we want to know and understand the benefits offered by these new opportunities. If we want to use good sense and reason as we strike out in a new direction.

It is not at all unusual for the answers to this question to go far beyond the scope of simple economic considerations. They also look at the extent to which human capabilities and skills are supplemented, expanded, perhaps even reduced.

All the things you can do ...

Technology and service companies just love the frequent use of the little word “can” in their announcements: “This smartphone can do this and that,” “You can use this E-Pad to do this and that,” “In just a matter of minutes you can be networked with so  and so many people,” etc. Every single line of these advertising messages glows with the enthusiasm of the engineers, who are proud of their development of new possibilities – and rightly so. Naturally, we also hear the voice of the marketer, who hopes that the new features will translate into more customer benefits and higher revenues.

All of this is both good and legitimate. The inventive spirit in information and communications technology in recent decades has generated great prosperity and produced lots of conveniences which people would sorely miss if they suddenly disappeared.

And yet – we are nevertheless justified in asking about the “why”. Why is it good to be networked with so and so many people? Don’t we find ourselves overwhelmed with communication within the family or neighborhood alone, at least occasionally? Why should everyone, including me, be available all the time? Isn’t it equally valuable to enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet?

Opportunities and risks ...

However, there is much more to the question about the “why” with respect to communications technology than just thinking about personal behavioral preferences. However delighted we may be by the new possibilities offered to us by technology, we should never take our eye off the opportunities and risks which arise when we make use of them.