Selfish Technologies?

In the past century, technology has made life much more convenient, and for that I am deeply grateful. I don't know how I would live without the modern conveniences and luxuries to which I have grown so accustomed. They make me much more productive. However, I often find the following equation to be true: increased productivity equals increased free time equals increased time in front of the TV (or insert other indulgences here). The question is how do we use these technologies in a way that keeps us from being selfish and spiritually lacking?

For the answer, I turn to my grandpa. After working for several decades as an ophthalmologist, he could have retired and retreated from the world. However, his interest in technology helped him to remain current in relevant medical knowledge. This allowed him to serve two medical missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent nearly two years in Ghana, teaching individuals how to perform cataract surgery in a nation plagued by blindness. He later spent a year in South Africa as Area Medical Advisor. To this day he freely serves his neighbors in any way he can.

My grandpa often remarks, "What would my parents think if they saw that I can press a button inside my car and my garage door opens?" Good question. What would my great-grandparents think if they saw how I use technology? Would they be impressed with how much good I accomplish or would they be full of sorrow at the sight of spiritual depravity? Hopefully the former, but I suspect that dichotomy exists within each of us.

Technology is not something to be shunned in the name of spiritual development. Nevertheless, we must embrace it in a way that not only better serves ourselves, but enables us to better serve our fellow men. That will be one of the true tests of mankind in the 21st century.