Article February 15, 1969 Issue

Signs of the Times

Dr. Charles R. DeCarlo,—Cleveland, Ohio

In the Western world, man the toolmaker has come far with his technology. High levels of energy —a new kind of slave—are available to each of us. . . .

An interesting point is that not only has technology changed the work ethos, it has also created time to have the problems we have. In the world of only 60 years ago individuals would not have had time to be unhappy about anything but the most basic of human problems. . . . In short, our present notions of brotherhood, of civil and political rights are derived and extended as a direct function of the technological level of our society—and of the time, desires, and aspirations it permits. . . .

A society which places a premium upon loyalty and conformity to the larger organization must teach its children to hold dear their self integrity and to accord dignity of self to others, sometimes at the expense of the immediate needs of the group. It must place highest emphasis upon individuality and freedom of decision in the face of the collective nature of the technical act.