CBA Record May-June 2025

A parallel question that arises is, what do Americans stand for ? A prominent mid 20th century figure, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in the times of great moral conflict.” His words are an indictment of silence. Recently, I have noticed a silence in places and by people once renowned for courage and fortitude. Why, when it mat ters most, is there a retreat into silence? Undoubtedly, times change, but lately, humanity has been on the defensive, as fear has aggressively overshadowed decency and integrity has been stifled by the human need to be part of a group. Watching people misrepresent facts or ignore right from wrong has been noth ing short of disappointing. Dr. King’s words echo in the refrain, “The ultimate measure (of a person) is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy.” We should heed the warning of those words, which are just as jarring today, decades later. If Americans choose to stand silent, we may find that one of Dr. King’s prophe cies about our society will bear fruit. He said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Let us encourage one another to respond to Dr. King’s call to action, espe cially now, when disorder is rampant in our world. Remember that silence empowers injustice, whether it stems from materialism, avarice, or fear. Know that silence is a conscious choice. As the clock ticks on, soon it may become too late to choose differently. As an American, where do you stand regard ing the future of our country? Eventu ally, there will be a reckoning about our second machine age. What will you say when your children or grandchildren ask, “What did you do or say in 2025?” Will you hesitate and say, “What could I have done? What could I have said?” Carefully ponder your actions and words, for history will judge and will brand your legacy.

HISTORY WILL JUDGE

BY NINA FAIN The Second Machine Age: A Reckoning M any are fascinated by history. Some people study it. Others seek their place in it. Only a few accept that the consequences of their choices become their legacy.

In Cathedral Builders , author Jean Gimpel offers a study on medieval tech nology and social history to explain a vast industry rooted in faith, whose architects and laborers understood that they would never see their constructions completed. Another insightful book about technol ogy and social history is Robert Skidelsky’s The Machine Age . He argues that as contem porary technologies replace human func tions, there will be an imbalance between our understanding of technology and its impact on our lives and politics. Skidelsky highlights the inherent risk of technology to both empower and control us. Implicit in

his analysis is the warning that we must approach technological progress with thoughtful deliberation, fully aware that we are giving technology unfettered permission to shape the future of humanity. Similarly, thought leaders Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, in The Second Machine Age , harmonize their intellects to explore the impact of ongoing research at MIT and Stanford, their respective technology labs. The authors assert that an invisible centrifugal force drives new technologies to reinvent our lives, politics, and economies. As post-Cold War era governments discard old alliances and adopt new ambitions, a critical question that arises is, where do Americans stand in this second machine age? Using a Dickensian phrase, we know that these are the best of times and the worst of times. While many can agree that the benefits of technology enrich our lives, they also bring about wrenching upheaval. To preserve our culture and economy, we need to identify new strategies for prosperity, adjust curricula to realign education, and collaborate with each other to ensure the survival of humanity.

Nina Fain is General Counsel at LG Segovanio R.E.I.T, a 2024 CBA Justice John Paul Stevens honoree, and a CBA Record Editorial Board member.

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