Our World Needs More Wise Technologists, Not Just Clever Ones

We live in a world of mostly doers, when we are here to be creators who pursue unknown opportunities. Too often, we confuse doing with knowing and see doers as having wisdom, when in reality they will never be our future true pioneers and creators. Epistêmê is the Greek word most often translated as knowledge, while technê is translated as either craft or art.

Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. Aristotle

There is a deep gap between being wise and being clever. Coming up with new gimmicks and unnatural foods, for example, that do not benefit humankind and the planet may be seen as clever in the short-term, but it is definitely not wise to destroy ourselves in the name of progress. The human capacity to invent is endless, but we need more conscious people who invent with clarity of purpose that benefits true human needs.

Our world today needs more wise technologist, rather than clever ones. We need genius that incorporates the collective good, not just the profitability and growth of the few. They need to be conscious technologists who question, dive deep and seek the new ROI (Return on Impact) rather than the old ROI (Return on Investment).

Japan, for example, has the first hotel serviced entirely by robots and is also looking at replacing elder care professionals with robots. Our elders deserve as much respect as new born babies, and we need to create humane ways to treat all living beings. Technology , like the dishwasher, is valuable and allows us to have more time to connect with ourselves, others and nature, for example, rather than washing dishes. When we start seeing that it is us humans who create artificial intelligence, food and experiences, maybe we will wake up and reclaim our power as creators of these "solutions" and not blame the technology for our busyness and stress, for example?

This is a time of great change and great choice. The decisions that every person makes matter at an individual and collective dimension.

Is it more important to say, hey, I went to the first robotic hotel in the world. I am so cool since I got to experience progress ; and/or I care about people and went to spend time with an older person who was so happy to experience some human interaction and I learned a lot from her?

What do our endless lists and awards recognize? Everyone is clamouring to get to the top but what happens when you do? The high of making the list or award has a very short life span. Why not aim and create new systems to lift each other up, simply because you can?

How can we elevate wisdom as much as cleverness? Why can't we have more balance and unity instead of separation and conformity?

This is a time of great change and great choice. The decisions that every person makes matter for the individual and the collective good of every being in our world.

Related: Our World Desperately Needs Leadership Pioneers

Integration and wholeness have never been more important for each of us and all of us in so many ways. We need more balance and systems that lift us up so we can thrive, not merely survive. It's time for wisdom.

We might celebrate cleverness and division, but what our world needs right now is wisdom and unity among pioneers with a passion to dream and create wisely.