Are the technologies such as the "Geni" helping or hindering humanity?

I agree. To find out why, please, Come attend the 98th Indian Science Congress : http://www.isc2011.in/ and join me present my paper on Tuesday 1/4/11 between 2:00PM -5:00PM in the School of Bio-Engineering, Hall B-706

I think social media in general has advanced the communication and interaction of family, friends, and professionals. Not sure if I'm richer or not for sitting in front of the computer for so long though. haha :-)

A fair observation; only if you think, to be rich is to have a monetized value for your (time) life. However, if you think, to be rich is to have good health and satisfaction, then, perhaps, you are richer - without being aware of it. Yes,sitting in front of a computer needs to be balanced with some other activities, including exercise.

Yes definitely I agree with the view that sitting in front of the Computer needs to be definitely balanced with some other activity. Activities may be related to Exercise, Music, Devotional Activity etc. Once activities are balanced Life becomes meaningful. This is my suggestion.
Regards,
Srinivasan

Dr. Subramanian -

Thank you for asking a philosophical question. (And from a scientist at that.) I love hearing people share their unique perspectives.

My life has been greatly enriched by technology and social media. We literally had a baby shower with people on the other side of the country over a video cam ten years ago when that technology was new. I have reconnected with old classmates and colleagues, discovered extended family, deepened and/or maintained relationships with family living far away, and, of course, made numerous new connections with people I never would have otherwise have met.

As it pertains to genealogy in particular - how wonderful to feel a part of the whole. There is much to be said about learning from our past mistakes. And for the inspiration gained in learning about the obstacles overcome by an ancestor.

What an amazing experience it was to live chat with friends from all around the world during our (United States) last Presidential elections returns! Or to tease my younger cousin about his first girlfriend. Or to establish relationships with other cousins who I knew very little about because of our parent's issues. Or, connect with the clerk from a store after a fascinating conversation led to an exchange of contact information. Or...

Yes. What is it that we define as valuable? How do we become richer? I believe through relationship -- being connected is everything. It creates meaning. (It doesn't necessarily keep a roof over our heads. I do find a certain amount of value in that - particularly in the winter!)

Balance. (Even exercise! Groan.) I do understand the critics position that our "real" relationships can suffer when are consistently hiding behind our screens. It *can* lead to superficiality. If we let it. I believe that before something has value, it must be invested in. We have to invest our true selves, open and transparent, to receive much of a return. It's a conscious choice to share ourselves.

Balance. There is a movie quote that I adore - "Excess within control." Our greatest strengths can also become our greatest weakness when out of control. (Although I DO love dancing barefoot with abandon in the summer rain!)

Thank you for sharing the lint to the Indian Science Congress event. I must confess that I got lost in looking at the agenda and presenters. It looks like something I would delight in attending. I was particularly pleased to see the devotion to the Youth and Children's Programs. Talk about investing in the future. What immense value there is in the future of our children!

I look forward to other replies. (And also to hearing back from you after the event.)

Thanks Jenna for taking the time to look-up the link and responding to the discussion with your own personal anecdotes.

People often say, technology is a "two-edged" sword. Even India's PM Dr.Manmohan Singh echoed those thoughts in his opening remarks at the ISC, cautioning the scientists about what happened during the world war II era. However, it is the lack of management ( to use your words- "control" - which is only one of the four functions of management) that results in such misuse of technology; like any number of other thing one can misuse.

We need to teach the youth of our society the art and science of management from a very young age to avoid catastrophes during their life times. Ultimately, I believe, the humanity has the power to achieve the Indian Philosophy of unity ("Advaita", taught by Shankara), and do only "good" and never any harm; as the creation is meant to be. In Genesis, the Lord at the end of the sixth day, said, " everything is good". Practicing and becoming so, would be possible through the managerial sciences.