C.S Lewis said, ‘…every age gets, within certain limits, the science it desires’. Lewis considered that technology is not answerable to any higher standard. Its sole parameter is the possible. I believe that the men and women who mould IT are answerable to higher standards. Lewis’s profound thoughts do push every IT vendor to build systems with common sense. The motivation that charges IT must be derived logically from ethical and moral principles of truth.
IT's purpose is simple, it is meant to become a utility to improve processes and functions. Fierce contention for a prize must become a by-product. And the real success of IT must be measured by the resulting customer value.
When IT vendors deviate from IT’s real purpose customers end up paying a high price to those in power for the benefits gained through technologies. For example, Facebook helps us stay in touch with old friends, but this benefit comes at the cost of our privacy (if you haven't heard of Facebook Beacon yet, Google it!).
IT operations must be modeled to be consistent with IT’s purpose. Technology has its own intrinsic character (with a wild side). Technology is not neutral, it is value-laden. It’s now the responsibility of the men and women of IT to tame technology and run the good race.
