Pro-technology or Anit-technology?

The poem “All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace,” by Richard Brautigan has a negative and positive view of technology all throughout the poem.

This poem can be seen as having an anti-technology tone or message because the author emphasizes that things should go back to how they use to be. In other words, he wishes that humans could return to those days where electronics didn’t exist or weren’t an obsession. This can be seen when Brautigan says, “…free of labors and joined back to nature, returned to our mammal brothers and sisters…” It is clear that in the quote the author is pleading for people to return to those days outside the world of technology. Nowadays people spend so much time on computers, cell phones, television and other electronics that they end up disconnecting themselves from everything else around them. For example, socializing and spending time with friends and family. The author is sending out a wake-up call to human kind as a whole, in hope that there can be a realization of how technology is an obstacle in life.

The author has a pro-technology tone or message because of how he describes the machines. This is seen simply in the title. The fact that the author uses the words “loving” and “grace” to describe the machines signifies the positive attitude towards technology. The machines are compared to nature and can even be interpreted as having human qualities. Brautigan says, “…where mammals and computers live together in mutually programming harmony…” In the quote computers are being viewed as humans who are programmed to live in harmony. This serves as an anticipation of the author’s mentality or standing point. For example, how the author emphasizes or gives an idea that people should make efficient use of technology in their life. Thus, technology in general is showed as an essence in people’s lives.

Although there is both pro-technology and anti-technology evidence in the poem, it is clear that the author leans more towards pro-technology. This is so because there is a wish for technology and humans to live together in a balanced and productive way. The author’s mentality is for there to be peace within people and the use of technology. However, in order for this to work people need to learn to balance and limit the use of electronics.