I am amazed at the technological advances that are being made on a daily basis. Recently, I read an article about a new industry that is being spawned by software developers to create programs that are compatible with Apple’s new “iPhone.” The article went on to talk about how the developers create the software, sell it through Apple’s “iStore” and collect 30% of the sale, with no initial investment — amazing. Areas of “e-commerce”, instant software applications, not to mention mapping the human genome, have shown just how far we have come since that summer of ’69 when Neil Armstrong stepped out of the lunar module and proclaimed “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The knowledge that there is more computing power in my two-year-old Blackberry than what was used to send man to the moon is truly inspiring. Moreover, as a profession we have also benefited from the digital revolution with such advances in radiology and CAD/ CAM restorations. However, are the advancements all good for humankind?
Witnessing these changes in everyday life and the effects that are a result makes me question if sometimes as a race we have lost something? To this end, I recently came across an email that was forwarded to me containing a reprint from the London Times Obituary. After a moment of ref lection, I began to wonder how far we really have come and realized not always for the best.
“Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility and his son, Reason.
He is survived by his four stepbrothers, I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame and I’m A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, you could pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.”
oh
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“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”
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I began to wonder how far we really have come and realized not always for the best
