{"title":"The negative impacts of technological progress on humanity: existential anxiety in Kurt Vonnegut's <i>Galapagos</i>.","authors":"Yao-Qin Zhang","doi":"10.1080/17483107.2025.2477677","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In Kurt Vonnegut's novel <i>Galapagos</i> (1985), he explores how technological development profoundly impacts human society, leading to struggles and psychological turmoil. The book delves into the complex relationship between technological progress and its effects on the human psyche. This study examines Vonnegut's perspective on the negative impacts of technology through humanistic existentialist psychology. It argues that while technology brings benefits and convenience, it also erodes emotional well-being and sense of self. By analyzing <i>Galapagos</i> and other works, this research aims to deepen understanding of Vonnegut's concerns about the trajectory of technology and its implications for human existence. It highlights the need to balance technological innovation with ethical considerations to preserve human dignity and purpose.</p>","PeriodicalId":47806,"journal":{"name":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Disability and Rehabilitation-Assistive Technology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2025.2477677","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"REHABILITATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
In Kurt Vonnegut's novel Galapagos (1985), he explores how technological development profoundly impacts human society, leading to struggles and psychological turmoil. The book delves into the complex relationship between technological progress and its effects on the human psyche. This study examines Vonnegut's perspective on the negative impacts of technology through humanistic existentialist psychology. It argues that while technology brings benefits and convenience, it also erodes emotional well-being and sense of self. By analyzing Galapagos and other works, this research aims to deepen understanding of Vonnegut's concerns about the trajectory of technology and its implications for human existence. It highlights the need to balance technological innovation with ethical considerations to preserve human dignity and purpose.