THE SECOND ABDELLA CENTER FOR ETHICS LECTURE · 2004
Technology's Impact on Society Examined by Jesuit Professor
The Rev. John M. Staudenmaier, S.J., editor of "Technology and Culture: The International Quarterly of the Society for the History of Technology," drew a large audience of students, faculty, alumni and friends to Remillard Hall for the second annual lecture of the Abdella Center for Ethics on Oct. 14, 2004.
Staudenmaier, a professor of history at the University of Detroit Mercy, reviewed the evolution of technology's impact on society in his talk, "Phones, T.V. and the Web: How to Breathe in the Electronic Smog." He articulated the ethical questions that have emerged for society and individuals as the pace of technological change has accelerated.
Drawing the audience into the discussion, he proposed numerous responses to what he calls today's "media fatigue." He proposed that we "fast from technology" one day a week by turning off the cell phone, television and computer, and returning to a simpler, more direct interaction with families and neighbors.
Headmaster Michael Welch '78 commented: "We are honored to have Father Staudenmaier come to Saint John's. ... He is blessed with a keen intellect, an abiding faith, and an extraordinary commitment to applying both his intellect and faith to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the critical issues we all face as we understand and define the role of technlology in our daily lives."
Adapted from "Abdella Center Lecture" in the Winter 2005 edition of Saint John's Quarterly.