[nabs-l] Interesting topic for discussion: Is Technology Turning into Our Enemy?

[Kirt Manwaring]

Bridget,
  I pretty much agree with you completely here.  I, for one, am guilty
of spending way too much time on facebook, blogs, and blindness
mailinglists.  *smile*  At any rate, I'm not really sure what a good
solution would be.
  The problem of dependence on technology is, as you illuded to
earlier, much more widespread than just the blindness community.  But
unfortunately for blind people, who happen to be a minority which, in
general, is already quite dependent on society, the problem gets
compounded.  Here we have bright, capable blind people who (I'm
thinking of specific instances here, I'm not implying all blind people
are like this) who aren't really sure how much they can contribute to
society.  When you add in the fact that a disproportionately large
number of blind people get the basic support they need through SSI,
the motivation to get employed can all but disappear.
  Here's an idea I just had- I'm not advocating this, but I'd be
interested to see what people think.  What if SSI were restricted to
students, or people actively seeking employment?  What if, in order to
qualify, you either need to be attending a school of some kind, either
university or trade, or show that you turn in at least 1 job
application/resume every month?  Maybe if that idea's too agressive,
what if SSI were limited to students or graduates of a post-high
school institution?
  That's all purely hypothetical, it would go against our current
wellfare state mindset...but you know what?  I'm almost sold on the
idea of restricting SSI to those interested in paying the system back.
 The more I think about it, the better it's sounding.
  Best,
Kirt
P.S.  I'm only making this a political discussion because it has to be.

On 4/8/11, Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Hello NABSTERS,
>
> This was posted on another list.  It is a topic I find interesting, and
> one we should consider and discuss.  I am curious to hear student
> opinions, and what your experience has been regarding technology.  Is
> there a balance in how we use this technology?
>
> One of the things I like in your note was your observation that "We now
> have the opportunity to explore a future of our own making.  Jobs,
> school and families are not dreams we long for, but are realities within
> our reach."
>
> One of the questions I've been struggling with is how to start a
> dialogue, probably in the Braille Monitor, about whether these are still
> the widely-shared dreams of blind people. I read the statistics about
> our unemployment, and in my job searches have certainly encountered
> discrimination, but I can't tell you of very many Missourians who are
> actively out looking for work. Neither can I tell you about many who are
> employed.
>
> In my younger days there were blind people who were smart and articulate
> who simply would not tackle the challenge of going to get a job. Some of
> them were amateur radio operators and spent their days doing good by
> taking Western Union style messages and sending them free of charge
> across the country and the world. The message might be as simple as
> happy birthday or as complicated as "I'm going in for surgery tomorrow.
> I will let you know how it goes. I will appreciate your prayers." Still
> other amateur radio operators would connect their telephone and radio
> and help people talk to loved ones. This, of course, was before the days
> of free long distance.
>
> The thing I want to focus on here was that the folks who spent most of
> their time doing this substituted these volunteer tasks for employment.
> They were not seeking jobs. They were getting fulfillment but from a
> very different source because our society, whether through SSI, SSDI I,
> the Missouri blind pension, or some other program, was perfectly willing
> to give them at least a minimal level of support and didn't challenge
> them with the tough question "Why aren't you employed?"
>
> Today I think I see our young blind folks substituting the Internet for
> ham radio. Maybe they are all about building websites to communicate
> something special they believe they know about blindness. Some do their
> own radio shows. Some make podcasts. The shows and topics seem to be all
> over the place. On one podcast I follow, which is usually technical in
> nature, one person put up a recording demonstrating how to change a
> diaper, while another produced a podcast of his dog guide popping the
> bubbles that are found in shrink wrap. Both were similar--lots of
> rustling plastic but not a lot of information. I do not object to what
> anyone wants to do for entertainment, but my concern is that these
> playtime activities are being substituted for what I see as a major life
> activity and responsibility, that being to earn a living and do these
> other things as time allows.
>
> I think the question I would like to explore is whether the work ethic
> which burned in so many folks of my generation still is prevalently
> found today. If not, who put out the fire and how do we rekindle it? Is
> our safety net frequently being used as a means of permanent support,
> and, if it is, is there something we can and should do about it?
>
> Some folks I know claim they had to do upwards of a hundred interviews
> to get their first job. Is this still true today? If so, I'm not hearing
> about it. My fear is that, with all of the civil rights protections and
> advances in technology, we still have a significant number of
> intelligent blind people who aren't taking advantage of a world which is
> more receptive today than ever it has been in the past to getting us
> employed and accepting us as capable human beings in society.
>
> I think the dream we share is worth dreaming and that what we dream of
> is attainable. Are there more effective ways for us to sell this dream?
> If so, how can our newsletters and our Braille Monitor help?  As I look
> at the most recent issue of the students late, it is perfectly obvious
> to me that some still buy the dream. The question really is how many,
> and are there better ways for us to sell the dream of equality so that
> more young folks act on it?
>
> I see technology being the downfall for society in general, but this
> post presents a very serious issue.  We know far too many blind people
> still refuse to believe in complete independence, but how is this
> reliance on technology affecting the situation?
>
> What are student thoughts?  Do you see this trend, and if so, what can
> be done to tackle it?  What areas do you think need work, and can you
> propose any ideas to change a larger population of blind peoples
> mindsets?
>
> Bridgit
>
>
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