The Double-Edged Sword of Modern Technology: Boon or Bane?

Technology is an incredible asset when it functions, and I maintain a reasonably good rapport with my laptop. Nevertheless, there are instances when it knows precisely which button to activate, or not activate, to induce a state of madness in me. 

During the process of composing a news column, my computer will abruptly prompt me to make a decision unrelated to anything I am contemplating or writing. Last month, it obliterated half of what I had composed without any discernible reason. My sole choice was to restart from square one. I’m certain a rational explanation exists for my dilemmas, perhaps as straightforward as pressing the SAVE button more frequently, but for the moment, I’ll conclude the column, hoping for collaboration.

The most recent piece of technology that has baffled me is something I have no control over. Upon acquiring a new vehicle last year, we were given two key fobs and informed that these astounding devices would unlock the car simply by walking up to it and touching the door handle, start the vehicle with just a button press while keeping the key fob in a pocket, allow the car to be started remotely to ensure it is warm when we are ready to board on a chilly morning, and assist in locating the misplaced vehicle if we happen to forget where we parked.

What we were not informed about was the cost to replace one of these devices in the event of loss, which my wife encountered during an outing in the fall. Fortunately, we still had the second fob, so it was not a critical issue. At least not a critical issue until we concluded that having a second fob would be prudent and discovered that instead of a simple visit to a hardware store or dealer for a new key, we needed to order a $260 replacement that would not arrive for over a week, and would then require programming, by appointment, at an additional cost of $175.

You may be pondering what this key fob narrative has to do with agriculture. The era of specialization has likewise become evident on the farm. Contemporary agricultural machinery is so intricate that nearly none of the farmers are capable of repairing their own equipment and must postpone fieldwork until a specialized mechanic is accessible or a specific part can be ordered. The times when a simple set of ratchets and a screwdriver could suffice for a repair sufficiently to resume planting and harvesting are far behind us.

Previously, certain implement manufacturers complicated repair efforts even further by restricting the necessary codes for repairs to their own technicians, reducing the number of individuals available to service machinery and extending the waiting time for farmers to get their crops planted or harvested. This issue has partially improved as manufacturers now allow independent technicians to service machinery as long as they consent to maintain confidentiality regarding trade secrets, refrain from overriding safety features or emission controls, and not alter agricultural machinery power settings.

Honestly, I do not possess an answer for this. I recognize that modern technology and conveniences are fantastic when they function correctly, can be swiftly repaired, and aren’t misplaced. However, there are moments I yearn for the days when a $2 key could be made instantly, enabling farmers to get their own equipment operating at least temporarily to complete their planting without relying entirely on others and their schedules to return to the field.

Chuck Bell is a former 4-H educator for Muskingum County.