The idea that our current technology impoverishes us is a concept that flies against convention for after all, in western society, there exists the prevalent perception that it is this very technology that has allowed People to achieve higher wealth and thus higher standards of living. But is convention accurate?
The answer to this can be found in dumpsters as well as in any US postal office.
Here is a picture of a sign attached to a dumpster being used by a construction crew in the neighborhood.
This sign makes it clear that appliances, batteries, chemicals, and tires are considered hazardous waste.
Concurrent with this, you will find in most, if not all, US postal offices, a poster showing hazardous items which are illegal to mail because they are injurious to life and property. This information is further expanded in Notice 128 of May 2008 which states that federal law declares it a crime to mail anything that may kill or injure persons or harm property. Some of the items listed in this flier as prohibited to mail include fireworks, ammunition, aerosols, gas containers, lighters, fuels, paints, inks, varnishes, perfumes, insecticides, pesticides, mercury, oven cleaners, magnets, radioactive materials, and batteries. Note too, that paper money should also not be mailed through the US postal service.
We basically speak of every single item that constitutes the backbone of modern technology and that has become a measure of wealth, comfort, and standard of living in western society. However, if it is a crime to mail the fruits of modern technology and it is illegal to dump them in dumpsters, how can anyone then turn around and declare in good conscience that such technology increases the wealth of People and nations? How can anyone in good conscience say that acquiring and using such hazardous materials increases People's standard of living?
How can anyone in good conscience say that this technological path which we have been forced into is beneficial to humanity and therefore worth pursuing?