The quote “Technology happens, it’s not good, it’s not bad. Is steel good or bad?” suggests that technology is a neutral force; it is neither inherently beneficial nor harmful. Instead, the moral implications of any technology depend on how it is used by humans. Just as steel can be utilized to build impressive structures or weapons of destruction, the outcome of technological advancements hinges on human choices and intentions.
This perspective emphasizes that tools and innovations are extensions of human capability and intention. For example, consider social media: it can connect people across the globe and foster communities but can also spread misinformation and create division. The technology itself—like steel—is neither good nor bad; rather, its impact emerges from how people employ it.
In today’s world, this idea encourages a more critical examination of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, or even renewable energy sources. Each comes with potential benefits—like improving efficiency in industries or addressing climate change—but also carries risks such as ethical dilemmas around privacy or unintended consequences to ecosystems.
Applying this concept in personal development involves recognizing our own tools for growth—be they skills like communication or resources like information—and understanding that their value depends on our approach. For instance, learning a new skill could lead to career advancement (a ‘good’ use) but might also cultivate arrogance if wielded without humility (a ‘bad’ use).
By adopting a mindset that sees technology—and other tools—as neutral entities shaped by our actions and values we can cultivate intentionality in both individual growth and societal impact. This awareness allows us to take responsibility for how we shape the future through our choices while encouraging thoughtful engagement with both existing technologies and those yet to come.
