I regularly get inquiries about how new technologies will change markets, social structures, and even governments. In fact, the government of Singapore is now working with the World Future Society to make some sense of how all of these factors (technology, environment, economics, national security, market dynamics etc.) interact to affect the globe. While I have shared on this blog some of my projects with countries like Korea (and the impact of technology on national culture) I recently came across a very creative analysis of how technology may affect religion and what is called in Western religion the “Seven Deadly Sins” [pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed and sloth].

While my blog is often quite earnest and rather somber (some have said too somber) I recently came across a very creative interpretation of how new technologies may change the Catholic religion (by a dean at a well-known Jesuit university). His suggestions for sins of the future (he chose the year 3508, but I see them as much closer to today) are definitely worth sharing…at least in summary:

1. Earthism — holding humans as superior both morally and intellectually, over all other galactic lifeforms.
2. Harmful Replication — nanomachine construction of weapons of mass destruction, new super narcotics and the currency of any planet.
3. Theft of Thought — Technological appropriation of new inventions, brilliant designs and even football gameplans through telepathy.
4. Holomisbehavior —The holographic engagement with other beings, experiences or other outrageous antics using technology in a non-corporeal but otherwise sinful situation.
5. Warp Drive Recklessness — Use of highly expensive, environmentally damaging and resource-intensive fuels to cross the universe for a mere golf game.
6. Stasis Abuse — Use of suspended animation technology to avoid moral duties, such as raising children, visiting relatives or even jury duty.
7. Timeline Manipulation — Use of time travel technology to undo sinful acts, which may enhance a mere venal sin into a mortal one. This raises the question of whether a sin can then be absolved along several timelines.

I was taken by this exercise by its inventiveness, and the recognition that new technology does in fact bring about a wide range of social and value changes. Who would have ever thought in the 1950s that loud cell phone talk in public places would become a venal sin? As always, I would be very interested in your own thoughts on sins of the future, as the above list barely skims the surface of all the possibilities. I would be glad to get feedback and can be reached at tmack@wfs.org.

© 2008
World Future Society
7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 450
Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Tel: 800/989-8274 or 301/656-8274
Fax: 301/951-0394