Enslaved By Technology

Enslaved By Technology By Reuben Abati THERE is an emergent generation of Nigerians that is enslaved by technology. It is an interesting form of colonialism in which the colonized willingly submits himself or herself to the imperialist. I see the evidence daily each time I open my e-mail box or go to the internet. It is called the new media, this superior reign of all forms of electronic gadgets which has redefined the way we live and our notions of freedom, rights and citizenship. I had once tried to reflect on the subject in two previous pieces, one in which I wondered about how we ever managed to live without the GSM cell phone, which now dominates our lives, and two, another piece in which I protested about the totalitarian nature of the cell phone, and how it could be such a menacing tool of social terror. But in those two pieces, I probably underestimated the extent of the new media and its ...Read the full article.

only1integrity · Mar 8, 2009 , 10:13 AM

Well said, strictly for wise men and women; those that can read within the lines. You have said it all, politely so.

DaBishop · Mar 8, 2009 , 12:34 PM

If RA was writing and asking for balance, he could have mentioned the immense benefits of the internet. He could have dwelt a bit on the good uses of the internet. Like, sitting in my pajamas, I can research all about Osogbo, their development needs, and tailor a grant for a client in consultation and send him copies of all the required documents without going to Nigeria, the Grantor's office or the Grantee's premises...while I joke and interact with a certain Emj who is also internet friends with RA.

...Or that without buying the Guardian Newspaper, we can read RA almost as soon as he sends his final copy...

But no, RA was really writing an answer of sorts to a certain abuse...
Abusing the internet...
Abusing them back...
Rather than give the real answer expected...
Also abusing his position by using his column to abuse...
Thus committing the said abuse he complains of...

He wrote his
I wrote mine.

mathelize · Mar 8, 2009 , 12:36 PM

If Reuben can't say something about the Abuja land, that means he's enlsaved by it.

overdryv · Mar 8, 2009 , 01:06 PM

I guess I'm one of the many who nowadays go mostly straight to RA's articles comments without bothering to read the main topic. This article, if one reads between the lines, is a subtle reference to the hot debate on his Abuja land deal.

I wonder how many websites RA reads but it is not his duty to tell administrators on which rules to adopt. He should also own up to the fact that certain actions of villagers including the blind defense of his involvement in the Abuja landgate is ethnic based.

As long as people dont fire rockets from their desktop on other members, let people say whatever that is in their mind, tribalism or no. What is the point to pretend to be nationalistic when the basic ingredients of true nationhood are lacking? Why would people be proud of Nigeria when its no longer a secret that the country is ruled by a band of criminals? The events taking place now can never be allowed in ethnic republics. Nigeria is an orphan with no one taking any care. You come and get as much as you want out of her.

Kay Soyemi (Esq.) · Mar 8, 2009 , 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by DaBishop

If RA was writing and asking for balance, he could have mentioned the immense benefits of the internet. He could have dwelt a bit on the good uses of the internet. Like, sitting in my pajamas, I can research all about Osogbo, their development needs, and tailor a grant for a client in consultation and send him copies of all the required documents without going to Nigeria, the Grantor's office or the Grantee's premises...while I joke and interact with a certain Emj who is also internet friends with RA.

...Or that without buying the Guardian Newspaper, we can read RA almost as soon as he sends his final copy...

But no, RA was really writing an answer of sorts to a certain abuse...
Abusing the internet...
Abusing them back...
Rather than give the real answer expected...
Also abusing his position by using his column to abuse...
Thus committing the said abuse he complains of...

He wrote his
I wrote mine.

Spot on, DaBishop.

I felt that RA was talking tongue in cheek with this misnomer labelled an article!

The internet, like all forces, can be used for good and bad - just like MAN!

RA himself, by this particular article has abused it. I feel he has simply used this media to abuse people who called for him to repudiate insinuations of shenanigans on the Abuja land deal, but then I could be wrong and off tangent on my take on this, but a very loud and prolonged silence followed by an ill-disguised name-calling article penned to deride perceived detractors and cyber-hecklers does not put RA above the fray.

It simply confirms he is bothered about how he is perceived by some, no matter how minor they may appear to be numerically.

If he is, let him do the manly thing that a clear conscience dictates rather than come out with verbose articles reeking of bellicose intellectual braggadacios aimed at people who previously held him on a higher moral pedestal!

Kay Soyemi (Esq.) · Mar 8, 2009 , 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by overdryv

I guess I'm one of the many who nowadays go mostly straight to RA's articles comments without bothering to read the main topic. This article, if one reads between the lines, is a subtle reference to the hot debate on his Abuja land deal.
I wonder how many websites RA reads but it is not his duty to tell administrators on which rules to adopt. He should also own up to the fact that certain actions of villagers including the blind defense of his involvement in the Abuja landgate is ethnic based.

As long as people dont fire rockets from their desktop on other members, let people say whatever that is in their mind, tribalism or no. What is the point to pretend to be nationalistic when the basic ingredients of true nationhood are lacking? Why would people be proud of Nigeria when its no longer a secret that the country is ruled by a band of criminals? The events taking place now can never be allowed in ethnic republics. Nigeria is an orphan with no one taking any care. You come and get as much as you want out of her.

S. Njokede · Mar 8, 2009 , 02:29 PM

I’ve stopped reading Abati and it shall remain so until he shines light on what transpired over Abuja land scam. You don’t want politicians to live aboveboard while you live under-board as governor of public opinion. Those who engineer public opinion are supposed to put their hands where the public can see. If you live in glasshouse, stone throwing becomes antisocial behaviour. There is an option you might pack to reside in Ajegunle if you have the compulsion to throwing stone. You don’t take your readers, fans and public for granted when you’re earning your living via public trust. It’s a hard decision to make but I think it’s fair enough. Sometimes I get tempted wanting to read his articles but each time since more than three weeks, I’ve succeeded to keep my ground. I know a whole lot of guys who have stopped reading him for good. You can’t eat you cake and have it.

allaccess · Mar 8, 2009 , 02:38 PM

I guess the fact that many Nigerians have not embraced the new technology age and bring their thinking in line with its benefits and future advantages, they can only think in the past.

The Indians, Chinese and the likes of Malaysians have combined organisation with modern technology to turn their nations into tiger economies while Nigerian journalists like RA who should actually help disseminate the critical need for Technological change is thinking backwardly.

what a sad chain of events in that country

LAN · Mar 8, 2009 , 03:38 PM

Anti-Abati group resurfacing

Where have you guys been all these days? Anyway, Welcome back sha.

So, now, kini problem yin?

i-go-better · Mar 8, 2009 , 04:56 PM

A Nation that houses crooks and criminals as leaders who make up about 5% of the population and live in obscene opulence; the rest of the citizens spend hours on the road due to worst road network; when they manage to get home, no electricity, no water; at night, mosquitoes and armed robbers take over the traumatization and effortlessly, but effectively murder their sleep. In all these, the media that supposed to be their watchdog abandon the watch and go LAND-GRABBING, scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours game play.

The only providential avenue these citizens take advantage of to ventilate their views and secure momentary mental rehabilitation is what one of the best in the media is whining and whingeing about. Coming from someone of RA calibre, the Senate and House of "rape" might soon get cracking with a bill to ban you know what. Remember the Senate president frowned at every dick-tom-harry owning telephone!

Totally disappointed by this article.

overdryv · Mar 8, 2009 , 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by LAN

Anti-Abati group resurfacing

Where have you guys been all these days? Anyway, Welcome back sha.

So, now, kini problem yin?

Nobody in Anti-Abati group ever shied away. What they did is simply sit back and watch you people play your reverse logic to the maximum. How would RA know that we are not as daft as members of your group if we fail to point out an obvious fraud in his writings such as this?

Ewuro · Mar 8, 2009 , 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by overdryv

Nobody in Anti-Abati group ever shied away. What they did is simply seat back and watch you people play your reverse logic to the maximum. How would RA know that we are not as daft as members of your group if we fail to point out an obvious fraud in his writings such as this?

Could you highlight ' an obvious fraud' in his writings and tell us what you consider as fraud?

ndboy · Mar 8, 2009 , 05:25 PM

Why Unu dey tear unu'kpata" sef ?
RA is the master of satire.It doesnt mean that he hates the internet,simply enumerating some of the nuances and malfeasance that can arise from it.
Also telling all of you who have chosen to pillory and castigate without getting your facts,what to do with it,"shove it".
I dont know Abati,neither am i yoruba,but i marvel at how someone can be said to collect land corruptly from this government,and still yet criticise them!!!
If you wont read him again,fine.Why still bother to tell us your decision?Me,i'll read any nigerian writer that i can learn a few things from his article.Sides,there seems to be more to this land issue than meets the eye.
For the uninitiated,"Etanu,is a disease o ".
I have said my 2 cents.

emj · Mar 8, 2009 , 07:49 PM

Like many Nigerians whose e-mail address falls into wrong hands, I receive all of these mails daily in spite of myself. I have tried to block some of the addresses, to stop the uncivil terrorists from intruding into my privacy. But it never seems to work. I guess part of the freedom that some Nigerians think the internet offers them is the right to disturb other people, and to insist on doing so. Psychologists would have a lot to chew and discover were they to attempt a study and analysis of Nigerian attitudes on the internet. Ocassionally, however, I get the well-meaning invitations: someone asking me to join Face Book, or Jhoos, or a site where I can possibly track and locate long lost friends, or an alma mater chat room. While I appreciate the good intentions of the authors of such mails, I am often reluctant to accept any such invitation that could further expose me to a lorry load of chain mail or write ups by closet nymphomaniacs. The more annoying ones are those mails inviting me to buy a new version of Viagra or an energy drink or to take a trip to an exotic resort.

Eherm, no point trying to block the address, just recalibrate your system to junk them....you juess might need the Energy Drink soon

Technological citizenship or even of societies is about rights and obligations. Freedom exercised without responsibility is hollow. Freedom comes with a number of preconditions. We all have a responsibility to be decent, civil, and disciplined even as we enjoy the immense resources of the world wide web. The internet must not become a hard drug, nor must it end up obstructing the cultural logic of human relations.

Right on the button.

When I open my mail box every morning, I go straight to the delete button and begin to delete all repetitive and meaningless stuff taking up space. I read a few. And I move on. As for yahoo messenger, I removed that long ago. There are only 24 hours in a day, and my work requires the kind of solitude that the new technology makes impossible.

Eherm, you are becoming so Archaic..man...solitude ko soludo ni...you had better restore that Yahoo Messenger

PS>>>>...Dabishop could do well writing a rejoinder stating how the internet could be put to good use...instead of all the yada yadas, blah blah blahs

DaBishop · Mar 8, 2009 , 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by emj

PS>>>>...Dabishop could do well writing a rejoinder stating how the internet could be put to good use...instead of all the yada yadas, blah blah blahs

Thanks for the suggestion...why make a comment when you can write a rejoinder, Abi?

What might the rejoinder state? Please further direct moi.

SOC Okenwa · Mar 8, 2009 , 10:20 PM

Dr Abati is blowing hot and cold here venting his anger and at the same time trying to subtly but comically play down his apparent 'involvement' in the Abuja land grab by criticising the online news source that revealed his land grab scam and some of us seeking his own side of the story.

Reuben Abati knew the anonymity syndrome governing the internet before he decided to become a 'villager', an NVS columnist at that. So one wonders why he is now kicking against what the internet offers which is beyond anyone's control. This article under focus reeks with self-conceit; a dictatorial way of telling people off and dismissing the www as a less important forum of cross-fertilisation of ideas! May be folks, Abati's 'the Guardian' should provide us a better alternative? Hell no!

If this is the defense Abati could put up about 'Abati-gate' then something must be terribly wrong with his sense of judgement. Something better must be considered from his end before we consider his arrogant attempt to clear himself of any wrongdoing or blame others for his woes or folly.

overdryv · Mar 8, 2009 , 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by Ewuro

Could you highlight ' an obvious fraud' in his writings and tell us what you consider as fraud?

To you, fraud may just mean when one falls mugu to 419 guy men. It covers a vast array of areas. Like when RA chose this moment to suggest how people should comport themselves on WWW or when a man says he has a 2003 pairs of worn out slippers when he has the best Italy has to offer in foot wears in his wardrobe. Take that for what it is worth, not that it will change your position. But why is that you people in some mysterious way, never see anything deceitful and shallow in RA's recent writings?

Bill Carson · Mar 9, 2009 , 12:24 AM

Abati has been…….. RATTLED

Harmonious · Mar 9, 2009 , 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by Ewuro

Could you highlight ' an obvious fraud' in his writings and tell us what you consider as fraud?

My dear Ewuro as a nation, as a people, we really should learn, listen and understand the motives behind those that differ with us, it will only prove beneficial to both parties. Some people have an agenda and their minds have been padlocked to reason. Some are seeking the truth and you will learn from them as they learn from you.

I have learnt from experience on NVS not to invest intellectual resources in disputing with those whose agenda is to stir up strife where there is none.

Please leave these people alone. Let us allow them the space to express themselves, listen to them and learn from what will happen.To paraphrase Ananias the high priest when apostle Paul was brought before the council, if there is any substance to these accusations against RA, he will soon be destroyed, however if there is none then RA will continue to be well read and relevant long after those slandering him have lost steam.

For instance you can learn and discern the motives of some from the undisguised glee being displayed by the fellow whose comments are above and who is convinced that RA has been rattled.

As I have previously said, their comments say more about them than about RA.