Temporal Chauvinism

It's easy to look back and exhibit what Michael Crichton, the author of "Jurassic Park," called Temporal Chauvinism, which is the incorrect belief that previous generations in the past were ignorant and inferior compared to our amazingly advanced present-day world.

We ain't quite as smart as we would like to think we are. It is a mistake to be smug when it comes to knowledge. There is still so much to learn about our world, our bodies, and our universe. There is always – and will always be – much more to learn. And that is still true in this post-Google/post-Smartphone era where so many mistakenly believe that they are so knowledgeable because they can do a Google search or simply ask Siri to find an answer.

Ah, yes, our brave new world of iPhones, Android Smartphones, iPads, Kindle Tablets, laptops, computers, and digital devices. But what will future generations think of us when they read about how we were unaware – for the longest time, for more than ten years – that we didn't protect ourselves from obvious hazards from our daily technology. Some of the greatest dangers to our well-being are perils and potentialities hiding in plain sight. And some of our most beloved possessions should give us cause for greatest concern.

Caveats: Do not take for granted that sharing your personal information cannot harm you. Do not be fooled into thinking that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is benign and only serves to enhance your life. More in my next Blog.