Technophobia:  An Imminent Virus In Nation Building

By

Igbokwe A. Peter

kimo_saint@yahoo.com

 

Years past, industrialization has been the focal point on which the economy of many countries in the world stand; 21st century was a new dawn emerging information technology and globalization. This era is characterized with divide, which cause variation in ways things are done among countries in the world. The architect of this variation is “technology” of which most activities are now done via e-method. This is nothing but the use of electronics in transaction and other related issues. The divide offers extensive opportunities for true nation development but it is not progressively even.

 

Some countries are becoming integrated into the market of technology more quickly than others. Countries that have been able to integrate are seeing faster growth, reduced poverty and employment opportunities

 

Ability to succeed in this era, solely depends on the success recorded in technology. 21st century is an era of economic advancement and timely use of electronics in all sectors of the economy. The crux of the matter is that 21st century is knowledge power the time that a million naira will fail but knowledge will profit. Take it or leave it, when those who believed they had something would suddenly have nothing.

 

With the inroad of the information society/ globalization which was made possible by the technology globally accepted and explored. This has necessitated more opportunities resulting from opening new markets for competition, foreign investment and participation. These opportunities therefore are skill oriented, reserved for people who are technology friendly

It is against this backdrop of technology friendliness, the subject matter is drawn. It has been proved and believed by technologist and inventors of modern machines that the end users of the manufactured products often entertain fear in handling the product. This fear is often described as “technophobia”. Technophobia was first entered into Webster’s dictionary; the citation earned it a place in official English usage. However, technophobia has been around since the ancient Greek word “techne” (art, skill), and “phobia” (exaggerated fear of) were placed into official Greek usage. Websters entry defines technophobia  as “fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices and computers”. Fear is a psychological trauma, which affects the mind and thereby hindering progress or further research on the issue in question. The propensity of appreciation of technology as it relates to output will manifest when people are ready to take in new ideas and able to investigate the explicit importance to themselves and economy at large. This will be the only time when achievement and readiness to compete favourably. America in 1998 at large proportion appreciated computers; it is through this approach the American world started building progress and advancement in the information world. It did not stop there, it streamlined her economy job creation, world recognition and above all one of the world’s IT (Information Technology) leading (country) continent. Still in America, the highly celebrated information society/globalization was first heard. This was a bye-product of welcoming technology not being afraid of it; technological awareness should always be seen as the panacea for re-orientation and stopping the imminent dangers of the technophobia syndrome.    

 

The hide-bond phenomena, which limits the awareness among the youths therefore, establishing new centers to oversee the implementation of advanced technology and teachings as well as the benefit should be looked into with utmost interest, hence ways of getting off the virus. Technophobia is like epidemic disease capable of shortening the life span of her host. Though technophobia may be seen as virus of technology advancement among the third world countries, it infects the well-planned economy, job creation and youth development. In fact it slows the in  nation building. The generic nature of this problem (technophobia) is national concern and which requires government attention. America today is what it is, due to clear identification of problems, directly working to eliminate them. Many graduates are dying in abject poverty due to negligent of our government by not providing necessary tools for effective learning and teaching. It is very shameful, seeing a graduate of computer science / engineering   unable to find his or her feet in the field specialized; however   the reason may be no practical or unqualified lecturers. I am very certain that when force is asserted on an object for sure it will change. Many lecturers don’t have enough capacity to drive students; thus making them unproductive. There are potentials in many of our youths but no force to drive it out.

 

Garbage in garbage out is a phenomenon of life; no one can expect good when it has not been inserted. Technophobia was not in-born and should get rid off so as to record a remarkable improvement in technology advancements within the third countries of which Nigeria belong. In a bid to cure the 21st century virus in the life of our youths, and integrate them into the cyber world, policies and full individual; government; and corporate bodies participations are required. Virile and egalitarian nation should be on the circumference of Information technology backbone base, letting citizens have complete access to information via Internet. It is against this backdrop that I say,”When you are not informed you are deformed. This is only when the IT (Information Technology) slumber which Nigerian about embarking could be averted. Basically many factors are actually and required to be addressed. Some of these factors are political will, holistic participation and democratizing access to information.

 

POLITICAL WILL

 

“Like father like son”. The Problem facing us is unwillingness of our leaders to appreciate something that is not money at a glance. The spirit of my “cut” (my own cake) has engulfed most of our leaders, making them to see only material /paper called “money” which the fail to focus on what can generate money and fame in the nearest future. Total negligence or “I don’t care attitude” amongst our big politicians to computer literacy and its like are worrisome. Much energy in day to day affairs are being channeled to laws and policies profitable to them not looking ahead to see the trend at the world market. The crusade on computer literacy is been championed by most of the presidents in the African continent, with the president registering first. Through this laudable approach other politicians can see it as important. Certainly it is an encouraging move in the right direction, since most of our big politicians never find time to access Internet let alone finding solutions on the Internet nor exchange idea through chatting rather busy themselves awarding contracts and engaging in money laundering. This can never take the country anywhere. Political will is a very sure strategy in curbing the menace of this technophobia. Around 14th March 2005, Mr. President (Chief Obasanjo) was in Geneva with other African leaders to seek efforts to close the digital divide existing between developed and undeveloping countries. This travel is just to remind many politicians of the prospect and important in technology; also needs to acquire knowledge perhaps, not to be scared on the new technology. It is common in both federal and states assemblies; bills on information technology are hardly accorded attention; school rehabilitation, road construction is given much attention, but tele-centers, computer centers, cyber café receive little or no attention. This is an evidence of technophobia level amongst our politicians. Mr. President has successfully completed SAT1, which has started yielding dividend for Nigerians, still more plan is on the way to lunch communication satellite. By this one can rightly agree with me that Mr. President has exonerated himself from the virus. He has set a pace for other politicians to emulate. Technology in governance is proportional to wider scope in service delivery.

 

HOLISTIC PARTICIPATION

 

In the heat of argument, the meat of the matter may be lost; collaborative participation among people will help to simplify the matter. Challenges they say, spur one to have a rethink. Compulsory policy on the use of modern equipment in offices and homes should be seen with enthusiasm and not with passion. The government on her part should partner with bodies wishing to deliver technology services to the nation. Government has done well in making communication technology close to Nigerians; still greater attention is needed so as to monitor service delivery of the GSM operators and their operations. Technophobia can creep in when the service delivered appears unfriendly, like being exorbitant and unaffordable. Though these people many develop artificial fear, which may in return danger the economy of the nation. Holistic participation gives unlimited spectrum for people to participate so as to contribute meaningfully in fighting the scourge. Religious bodies have to preach the gospel of emancipation from imminent danger of the problem. Moslems and Christian should welcome technology and apply it in dissemination of information. Messages are received live via satellite in various denominations. This has helped in creating a clear picture of what technology friendliness is.

 

ACCESS DEMOCRATISATION

 

Information access is a right and effort to hoard it is total denial of human right. Creation of web site by various corporate bodies and government is a tip of the iceberg of what information access democratization is like. Monthly information on the fund allocation by the federal government to state on the federal ministry of finance website has enabled the citizens to know how much their state receive from federal. By this laudable approach, many develop interest now to browse the Internet and get the first hand information. Jobs are on net and application is needed by the job seekers just by uploading their CVs and other necessary information to the employers via Internet. People have seen the need of being technology complaint. Democratizing access to information is another way technophobia menace will be eradicated. Nation building is generic and encompasses all facets of economy; no one should be left out or neglected. Developing human in area he or she is capable will go along way in sustaining the development. Technophobia is a virus that eats deep into the fabric of Nigerian economy and should be adequately taking care of.