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Comment by cyberdrunk | Hacker News Reader

> I can do as a CS engineer to help solve the big problems of our time, such as climate change

So far, technology has only created environmental problems. I don't think environmental problems created by technology can be solved with technology without creating another problems.

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I think that this topic is quite complex, and generalities are to be done with care. Yes new technologies such as 5G and autonomous cars (electric or not), when doing a comprehensive analysis of those systems, will bring more problems than solutions. But technology has so many other shapes, even in the field of CS. Would working on software to simulate and visualise atmospheric phenomenons be working toward more problems ? Working on optimizing the use of an electric grid ? Even 5G and autonomous cars are not problematic by themselves, its how we plan to make, deploy and use those technologies that will lead to even more troubles. To sum up my view, I think that tech is not the problem, but tech providers and users are.

In general, all environmental problems that people create stem from using technology - i.e. without technology (starting with the most basic ones, e.g. mastering fire), we are harmless enough to not be able to do any damage. So far, the more technologies we've developed, the more damage we've done to the environment. I can't see this trend reversing.

Well, this trend will reverse, no way out of this. We either find solutions (voluntary degrowth for instance), or physics laws will stop us, and from that point the societies us two live in collapse. But who knows what will happen ? So far, we developed new tech not thinking about those physical limits. That state of mind is definitely changing, especially among students. With that said I also tend to be pessimistic, and I don't think things are moving fast enough in the right direction. But if I do not hope for that, try to find where I can use my skills (and what I love to do) to help tackle those challenges, what do I do ? Because yes, egotistically, I still want to work in CS.

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