In a world where algorithms predict our every move and robots fill the gaps in our workforce, a chilling question lingers: are we building a future where humanity takes a backseat to technology?
Two highly recommended and topical books, Roman Krznaric’s The Good Ancestor and Chris Colbert’s Technology is Dead, serve as urgent wake-up calls, urging us to reconsider the path we’re on. They challenge us to move beyond the allure of instant gratification and market-driven innovation and instead embrace a future where progress is measured not just by technological advancement, but by its impact on humanity and the generations to come. These authors profoundly challenge us to rethink our approach to progress, urging us to strike a balance between short-term gains and long-term responsibility.
The Case for Long-Term Thinking
Krznaric’s The Good Ancestor highlights the dire need for long-term thinking in tackling global challenges. He argues that too often, societies prioritize immediate rewards over sustainable solutions. Whether addressing climate change, technological disruptions, or social inequalities, we must adopt a mindset that extends beyond our lifetimes, considering the world we leave for those who come after us.
Colbert’s Technology is Dead takes a critical look at the unchecked embrace of new technologies. This book questions the relentless pursuit of innovation without fully understanding its broader consequences. Colbert warns that technology should not be pursued for its own sake but rather be wielded thoughtfully, with humanity at its core.
Innovation with Care: A Delicate Balance
Both books converge on a key theme: responsible innovation. The tech industry often rewards speed, disruption, and automation, but at what cost?
- Long-term vs. short-term thinking – Instant gratification and market-driven incentives often overshadow the ethical and societal impacts of new developments. The challenge is to shift from short-term profit motives to sustainable, long-term solutions.
- Human-centered progress – Innovation should not come at the expense of human well-being. AI, automation, and digital transformation should enhance human capabilities rather than replace them entirely.
- Intergenerational responsibility – The choices we make today—whether in business, governance, or personal actions—must account for their effects on future generations.
- Balancing technology with empathy – A world dominated by robotic automation and artificial intelligence runs the risk of eroding human connection. Thoughtful integration of technology can create efficiencies while still valuing human input and creativity.
The Warning: Don’t Remove Humans from the Equation
Perhaps the most urgent message from these books is the caution against removing humans from work, decision-making, and societal structures. While technology can optimize processes, it must not replace the fundamental elements that define us—our empathy, creativity, and moral reasoning. AI should be a tool for empowerment, not a mechanism for exclusion.
A Call to Action: Be Good Ancestors
Krznaric and Colbert both make it clear: We are shaping the world that future generations will inherit. The responsibility is ours to ensure that innovation serves humanity rather than undermining it. Being a ‘good ancestor’ means prioritizing sustainable progress over fleeting success. It means thinking beyond our own lifetimes and embracing an approach to technology that aligns with ethical stewardship and human values.
If we want a future where technology enhances rather than diminishes our humanity, we must make deliberate choices today. The challenge is clear, the stakes are high, and the path forward demands that we innovate—not recklessly, but responsibly, with care for those who will follow in our footsteps.
Closing thoughts. Consider our grandchildren and their descendants. The choices we make today will shape their lives—and possibly their very existence. When they look back on us through ancestry records, will they find evidence of the positive impact we made for their future? It’s a reminder for all of us to innovate continuously, but to do so responsibly, keeping both the near-term and long-term well-being of humanity in mind.
References:
Technology is Dead – Chris Colbert
The Good Ancestor – Roman Krznaric
Original article published by Jim Francis on LinkedIn