The Perennial Temptation: To Be as Gods

In The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis suggests that technology functions as a bait-and-switch: Users think they’re getting power, but they’re actually giving up their freedom. “What we call Man’s power is, in reality, a power possessed by some men which they may, or may not, allow other men to profit by.” Lewis suggests the “aeroplane, the wireless, and contraceptive” as examples: Each presents the illusion of power. Through flight and the phone, one conquers distance; through the contraceptive, one prevents nature from taking its course. All offer a kind of “freedom” from natural restrictions. But the individual person does none of the things promised—the power really belongs to the one who owns the technology. Payment for use of the technology allows the individual to act as if the purchased abilities are his own. Flight companies could ban individuals from air travel; Verizon could theoretically prevent people from speaking over distances. Pharmaceutical or insurance companies could limit access to contraception—or for that matter any of their products.