Technology's Siren Song

Let me begin by saying: I like technology. In fact, I'm something of a geek. I bought my first computer in the 80s when prices were sky high and memory was minuscule. I even worked in High Tech for fourteen months during the infamous bubble.

There are limits to the proper use of technology, however, and like so many things I see misuse of technology applications that are due to a misunderstanding of fundamental strategy. The latest instance - which prompted me to write this entry - was a newspaper story about the state of Hawaii considering moving toward internet voting. That sounds really cool. It's easy. It saves money. You can vote in the comfort of your own home. So, technology's siren song is calling the state to move away from a proven and strategically sound system.

Here's the problem that I see with internet voting: there is a fundamental tenet of our American system that will get compromised with internet voting and that is the secret ballot. When you are voting on your computer, who might be looking over your shoulder? For most people, I don't doubt that they will vote their conscience in the privacy of their own home or cubicle. But ... what's to prevent special interest groups from organizing voting parties complete with campaign-like speeches and propaganda? What if unions or religious organizations have their members come into their halls to vote as a bloc? What about people with low computer literacy skills? Can a an organization with an agenda "help" them vote?? I believe that there is a ton of mischief that can be done under the guise of what will be promoted as an "easy and cheap" solution to voting issues.

So, sometimes a convenient and economical solution isn't the best. It's true when it comes to internet voting and it's true in business as well. I see this issue come up all the time in phone systems that send callers into never-never land. Or, offices that have no one to greet visitors. When I ran an advertising agency in Hawaii, we kept a receptionist on staff even though we could have saved significant costs by putting a phone on the reception desk and dispensing with a person. That would be cheap and easy. It would also have compromised our marketing position of being a people-oriented and caring agency.

So, technology is wonderful. I'm all for it. But it needs to be applied strategically. And with common sense.