False Mastery

Technology facilitates the lowest common denominator mentality by dulling the intellect. It collectively isolates the human animal from the base physical world. As a consequence, by its allure of security and comfort, the anti-natural supersedes the natural. A technological society enables a false sense of mastery over reality. Hence, contempt is taken for shock and awe. The idiot never understands anything beyond machines.

Periodic Maintenance

Absent periodic maintenance even the strongest link will fail.

Technology will save us?

How the Internet will save civilization?  (see Also.)  I suppose it depends on your definition of civilization.  The author of the text under discussion lists 6 factors:

1. Disease Epidemics--(can isolate during pandemics)
2. Availability of Knowledge
3. Speed by Decentralization
4. Minimization of censorship
5. Democratization of Education
6. Energy Savings

1. Although I can certainly see his point with #1, this same strength also helps destroy social cohesion by promulgating anti-social behavior.  For instance, people will often have more friends on-line, yet not know any of there neighbors.  This is not very useful if the power goes out...
2. Knowledge might be available, but it often lacks context or citation.  It is very rarely peer reviewed.  Data is not knowledge.
3. Decentralization can mean a faster response, but can also uncoordinated in a disaster situation. Remember Hurricane Katrina? The Internet sure didn't do much there.
4. Minimization of censorship? Perhaps for now, but as the Wikileaks Cablegate affair show, this might not be the case for not much longer. Internet censorship appears to be relatively effective in China.
5. Democratization of Education does lead to better access. However, as most people seem more interested in the piece of paper than what they get out of it, it also leads to the lowest common denominator as less rigorous courses lose out to those that are harder.
6. Energy may be saved by minimizing travel for meetings.  The Internet sure doesn't build things. However, Internet facilities do use a large amount of energy. Also, energy savings do not mean much if the lights are not on.

Also, the Internet won't grow your food for you...

So in closing, the author seems more like a technophile cheerleader than someone presenting an objective analysis.  He knows where his bread is buttered.

Shared Values

A civilization that loses its shared values will soon decay from within.

Civilization 6

Civilization is like a balloon: as it expands, its points move farther away.

Civilization 5

What looks inviting is not necessarily so.

Civilization 4

Civilization divides even as it fuses.

Civilization 3: Sanitation

1. Masses were not meant for close quarters.
2. Modern sanitation, in large part, extended the average life expectancy about 30 years since the 1800s (see Here).
3. Hunter gathers lived as long if not longer (See Here.)
4. Bad hygiene is a product of civilization mitigated by a product of civilization (sanitation).
5. Was it really worth it?

Civilization 2

Civilization is a snare.

Civilization 1

Civilization, as something made for women by men, satisfies none.