Obviously, there are many components in a global resurgence of religious sentiment, and faith. From my own observations, however, I have come across an important element I haven’t seen expressed so far: It’s called progress.

When I grew up as a teenager in Bavaria, Southern Germany, we lived through boom years and relative affluence. We had houses, cars, TV, holidays and so one. Little has changed in the sense that products have changed as such. However, there is one big difference. As a kid, I repaired my bicycle. As a teenager, I fixed my radio; I built HiFi systems and even tuned my car. These days I can hardly do similar things. Technology, in the name of progress and cost, has run away from us. Electronic elements that run your car, washing machine or camera are unique parts only the specialized workshop can replace and tune-up. The today's HiFi set, mostly cheap Chinese junk, comes arguably at a lower cost than in the old days.

It's just painted plastic and consists of irreparable technology. A few months, years, dust, scratches and off it goes to the landfill.

Does complex and highly specialized technology benefit the customer? It might, in the short-term. Does it fit the general public? Here my answer is a clear: No.

Progress has not only empowered people; it has also disenfranchised the customers. We clearly have gone too far! An 'old-order' Amisch farmer may be using outdated (so sustainable) technology, but knows his technology at 100 %. He's the boss in his own world. The message here is as follows: For the feeling of comfort that we're experiencing in our world, it may be the level of comand, rather than the level of technology, that counts.

The Orang Ulu tribes that live in the up-river Borneo, my temporary home, may not have many hi-tech tools, but given time, a hammer plus screw-driver they are able to repair the simple diesel engines powering a rice grinder mill.

We modern citizens, however, have become a hopeless bunch surrounded by technologies we are not able to master any longer.

Consequences of this finding are far from trivial. If me, the fairly well educated technical professional is outwitted by progress, how would people with a lesser level of education feel and react? How do today’s teenagers fare, when they leave school? Where are the car mechanics jobs today? I was told that the new versions of Mercedes and Lexus cars are shunned by the wealthy African elites. Why? Simply because there isn’t anyone out there, who knows how to repair these vehicles once they fall prey to the glory of African roads, and maintenance culture.

Progress has run away from us in such ways, that playing catch-up has become an almost impossible task. Customers aren’t controlling the products that shape their lives any longer.

Feeling disenfranchised and disoriented people tend to turn to conservative and religious value systems. It's a move to regain comfort with one's life, once complexity and alienation abound. People want security and simple answers, not complexity and doubts. It’s like the drowning swimmer who tries to grab whatever floats around.

Regardless of being right or wrong, religious systems are beyond reasoning and hence give the illusion of comfort. What cannot be argued about must be right, Ok? Unfortunately, however, this is leading people away from the real issues we're facing today. Being side-tracked toward faiths that offer emotional comfort won't provide practical and tailor-made solutions for the problems we face on this overcrowded, polluted and freaking-out planet.

How can people be brought back to reason and a rational approach to life?
The answer is: by empowering them.
In a nutshell, the general public needs to reclaim its rights for the products it deals with. People must be comfortable with the products that surround their lives, we must be able to understand and master these.

There are a number of things that can be done. In particular, there are three points that come to my mind:

1. Simplicity. Bills need to be written that spell out the degree of technology in respect of certain commodities and appliances. Some products such as cars should use proven and simple technology, without shunning, however technical innovation and progress.

2. Green technology. An emphasis should be put on green technology, too. It doesn’t make sense to drive around in a 400 Hp cars, with highly sophisticated electronics managing the ‘system’ to allow a ‘reasonable’ consumption, if a simple, 50 Hp and environmentally friendly car could address our needs for a fraction of running cost and little or no negative environmental impact.

3. Education is seen lagging behind, often teaching the students curricula belonging to a world of yesterdays technology and products. This has to change.

There is no doubt that reason, logical thinking, and modern education have solved many of our problems and guided civilization out off the nightmares created by religious ignorance and emotional suppression. Science and technology need to be brought back to the people, and people need to be empowered to master the technology surrounding us!

© 2007 by Franz L Kessler