"Scanners Live in Vain"

Posted by
Paym Bergson
Oct 31, 2006

I love the title, and I loved the story - it is still a favourite of mine and always will be. Though published in 1950 (and nope, I did not read its first printing, that is a bit before my time), the story is timeless in viewing people and technology - in essences, the effect of technology on people and their lives.

The same is true today. Technology has changed, and will continue to change and shape not just our lives, but how we live and how we choose to live. We must adapt to that technology, kicking and screaming for some, to use it to our own advantage and not just survival.

But what happens as Technology advances, and those previous advances are now obsolete? How many of you out there are owners of an old computer - useless now, but at the height of technology in its time. The laptop I bought for my son about four years ago has already gone through two upgrades, and was totally unsuitable for his needs about a year and a half ago. Fortunately, it suited my daughter who only needed an internet connection (IM, anyone?) and a program to write her essays and assignments for University.

But I digress - the issue is obsolete technology - and how it affects us all.

And I always wanted to use Cordwainer Smith's title! Read the story and you'll understand, especially if you work closely with technology.

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