Unfounded Fear

For every action there is an equal an opposite reaction.  Although the
application of the laws of physical science to other realms of the human
experience should be approached with caution, Newton’s third law seems to
hold true when applied to technological advancement.  Penicillin is
prescribed to cure bacterial diseases; antibiotic resistant strains of
bacteria evolve.  Trains, cars, and planes drastically decrease
transportation time; the emissions produced cause pollution and global
warming.  For every technological advancement, an obstacle is created,
whether it be ethical, physical, or simply the human desire of further
achievement.  Despite these negative consequences, humanity also benefits
from technological achievement.  Although humans would not suffer from
antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria had penicillin not been so
frequently prescribed during the 20th century, we would be suffering from
illnesses easily cured by these drugs.  The robots described by Bill Joy
may be turn out to be dangerous, but they also hold immense positive
potential.  Similar to Shelley’s Frankenstein, Joy inspires fear in the
reader by focusing on possible negative consequences of technology in the
future, but it must be noted that Frankenstein is a work of fiction, while
Joy’s essay is non-fiction.  What the reader must realize is that the
technology that is the topic of Joy’s essay is not one hundred percent
evil.  Though the monsters of both writings may seem entirely of a
destructive nature, Frankenstein’s creature is not made with the intent of
helping humanity while most of the technology that is the topic of Joy’s
essay is.  The fact that Joy’s essay is conventionally non-fiction may
lead the reader to believe his fear for the fate of mankind is completely
legitimate, when in reality other factors must be considered.
Frankenstein voices legitimate concern in regard to the consequences of
the advancement of technology in a purely cynical sense, but considering
the technology discussed in Bill Joy’s essay, “Why the future doesn’t need
us,” would produce both positive and negative consequences for humanity,
his fear should be regarded with skepticism by the reader.

Victor Frankenstein creates his monster because of his passion for finding
the secret of life, not out of passion for developing solutions to
humanity’s problems; thus, he creates a purely destructive monster.  As
shown by his isolation from his friends and family during his creation of
the monster, Frankenstein is oblivious to consequences his creature may
have on his fellow humans.  Shelley is not attempting to create a
believable monster to inform her readers of an impending threat of
humanoid creatures made from bits of corpses, rather, she is warning her
readers of the possible negative consequences of technological advancement
when people proceed recklessly on their quest for knowledge.  This fear is
absolutely legitimate.  Certain scientific advancements have caused great
destruction because future consequences were not considered, or at least
not considered to a great extent.  An example Bill Joy uses is the atomic
bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II.
Allied scientists worked furiously to beat the Axis nations in obtaining
nuclear weapons and then the American government made the hasty decision
to drop the bombs on Japan, rather than simply test the bombs to
demonstrate military power to the world.  Many deeply regretted this
decision because of the massive life loss and subsequent arms race.
Frankenstein warns against this foolhardy quest for technology.  By
reading this novel, the reader understands that the threat of negative
technological consequences is present, but also realizes that the
technology in this book is obviously entirely destructive, in contrast to
technology developed with the intent to aid humanity.

By understanding that Frankenstein is a fiction work, the reader can
understand that while Joy’s fear is founded, there are differences between
the technologies, and therefore the consequences of the technologies, in
the two essays.  The technology of Joy’s essay, robotics, genetic
engineering, and nanotech, will have positive and negative consequences,
but this stands in stark contrast to the fictional destructive technology
of Shelley’s Frankenstein.  The reader will understand by contrasting the
two writings that Joy’s non-fiction essay is biased against further
advancements in technology and that his fear must be regarded with
skepticism because he does not fully explore what positive consequences
may come about from technological development.  He states humans are in
danger of becoming extinct if our pattern of technological advancement is
continued, but he fails to consider advancements that may lengthen our
lifespan or strengthen our bodies, which is why the reader should not be
completely convinced humans are to become extinct in the near future.