The world of technology is racing ahead at such an unprecedented pace that it really is starting to become hard to believe what we human beings are creating with our minds and hands. A long time ago we were ecstatic about inventions like the telephone, stereo, and computer. These devices have added dimensions to our reality that once was only dreamed of in science-fiction films-film, another great invention unto itself. Communication, the sharing of information, and the pleasures of sonic enjoyment (We sure do love music!) have increased the quality of life for those who have been privileged to access it, and these days its spreading to countries that once were locked into primitive ways of existence. Is this story 100% true? Not many stories are, and I would like to try and see some of the pros and cons of both a life of pure technology, as well as of a life that is attuned perfectly with the natural world around us. Everything is not black and white, and I am hoping that there could be a focus that integrates both realities into one healthy future for our species.

I was just reading an article in an Information Technology magazine about the new demand for mobile/cellular phones that also act as MP3 music players. Hey, Im still blown away by phones that act as palm computers which access the Internet wirelessly! People now want a phone that can switch easily from communication device to music player. An unbelievable gadget if you really think about it. They want it to be able to store up to 1,000 songs, be able to sync up with a computer, and be able to download music wirelessly from the Internet straight into the phone. However, at the time being-and I know it wont last-theres been some trouble making this perfect phone become a reality because everyone wants a piece of the monetary pie that comes with any incredible new invention. Music labels, wireless carriers, handset makers, and companies like Apple (iTunes) want control over various aspects of this new venture. In the end Im sure everyone in the developed, and many in the undeveloped world will have these devices. The question that always seems to remain for me is: Are we focusing our great collective consciousness on the right things?

Ive said it before and Im sure Ill have to say it again, We need to put our energies into an outlook that encompasses both technology and nature, not to mention spirituality. If you watch or read the News (I try not to do it too much) you will know that a huge number of stories are about problems with the world. Degradation of the environment, conflict between nations and cultureswe are not unaware of whats happening around us. With the advent of the Internet we now share knowledge like never before. Fear and suspicion due to ignorance of other nations and cultures is decreasing rapidly as boundaries are now crossed freely and easily. Im just wondering if we might need to put a little bit more of our technical focus and genius (a general focus that currently is a tunnel-vision based around personal gadgetry) into these bigger issues that seem so much more relevant and important when it comes to reaching a level of planetary sustainability and happiness that we can feel secure with. Its no fun listening to cool songs on your super-phone if the bus you are riding on is attacked by frustrated people, is it? How about those awesome UV light rays that burnt your skin through the window on your way to the beach in your car that helped deplete the Ozone, as well as your wallet, because of the effects and costs of oil and other

Its easy for me to say that we could change our focus, but the next question that arises is, What do we get the techno-people to focus on to achieve this more sustainable, happy future? I think the key is probably taking a more spiritual, altruistic, community approach to things. Someone I just spoke to on my lunch break mentioned that if we took all the money that we spend on guns and bombs and put it into the world society, there wouldnt be many homeless, hungry people in the world. Why have we become such an aggressive, angry species anyway?

Many of us believe that money is the key to happiness in life. We build things that we think will make us happy (super-phones), and we buy those things for the same reason. Society and marketing tells us that if we own them we will become happy. We are dedicating our huge brains to this pursuit of self-gratification, to the detriment of the world and people around us. By no means am I saying that its all bad. The power of information and communication shared in this new age has brought about massive changes for the good of the world. But, how do we take the next necessary step?

It seems like we will have to make it monetarily worthwhile for the geniuses to take the spiritual path of creating technologies for the collective as well as for our future generations. How do we do it? What are some of the paths that we could get them to put their masterful tunnel-vision focus on when in search of answers? How do we make it viable and worth their efforts in the immediate pay-off sense? Please send me your ideas in a comment box at blog.m6.net. I want to tap into your individual skills and gifts. Youve already helped make such progress in the world. Im interested in what you think about how we can make our future a better one for everyone in our neighborhood.

This article has an accompanying comic strip that can be viewed at: http://m6.net/articles/images/supermobile.gif