In Neil Postman's address he speaks of five ideas dealing with technological change. The first is that all technology has advantages and disadvantages. He means that there is a direct relationship between advancements in technology and the trade-offs resulting from them. The next idea he discussed is that these trade-offs affect all people in different ways. Some are affected negatively, some positively, while others are not affected at all. Next, every new technology obsoletes its predecessor. Postman used examples, such as the telegraph, which eliminated the significance of distance, and the computer, which extinguished the need for community. The forth idea was that due to technologies ability to drastically change society should not be under the control of powerful individuals. Some people he feels may look only to the economic benefits of a technology rather than the wide range of effects it can have on every day life. Lastly, the advancement of technology is not something that should be overlooked. It is somewhat of a blessing to have some of the advancements that we presently possess.
The points Postman addresses in his speech are relevant to technologies vast impact on life. For almost all technological changes, each of the five points that he makes can apply. Each concept, although different in its own way, can be combined into an idea that all technological change should be thought through before introducing it to the public. While on the surface it may benefit people for the reason intended, as time goes on its deeper effects might show up. Although these effects aren't necessarily bad, they should at least be given legitimate consideration.
