Maybe tech can save lives

I'd like to issue an amendment to my column of two weeks ago regarding the failure of technology to improve our lives. In my diatribe against technology and electronics, I failed to consider the incidents where commonly problematic items, such as cell phones, can be used to save lives and right wrongs.

Last Thursday, bombs planted in three London subway trains and a double-decker bus made London the latest site of terrorism. The latest report said 49 passengers were killed and 700 wounded.

With the events of 9/11 at the forefront of many people's minds, Americans are trying to show their sympathy in any way possible, highlighting the parallels between the two attacks. In both cases a relatively small death toll incited an enormous amount of action, both on the parts of the governments and the citizens affected. Both attacks killed innocent people who were merely trying to get through another day at work.

Stories have emerged of bravery and quick thinking on part of those involved, and most importantly, those stories have all included technology.

On 9/11 the hijacked airplanes, doomed passengers were able to reach family members to say their goodbyes. They were also able to contact ground control towers and relay vital information about the hijackers and their mission; information that identified how the terrorists had bypassed airport security that would have been lost without the passengers' cell phone communication.

After the July 7 attacks, British police were asking for video footage and pictures captured by camera cell phones in order to determine the identity of the bombers. Hopefully, once again, technology will "come to the rescue" (so to speak) and help prevent more attacks from happening.

In my column two weeks ago, I railed against technology. I said, "The problem...is human stupidity and carelessness has overshadowed its original purpose." After hearing of the events of July 7, I believe that human ingenuity and the power of technology need to be given more credit.

If some commuter managed to inadvertently capture pictures or video of the bombers, the benefit to the British police would be enormous. It would allow preventative measures and security improvements to be made. And more significantly, it would help the families of the victims to feel that justice had been delivered.

Even beyond cell phones, computers and the Internet have allowed a greater outreach of support from around the globe. Already, other nations' leaders have made public statements of support, and the Internet will allow average citizens to send their messages of sympathy.

Technology, I should have said, works along the same lines as Spider-Man's superpowers. Like Uncle Richard said, "With great power comes great responsibility." It all depends on how you use it.