Progress can be both good and bad, like everything the good is nearly always better than the bad. “Good” in this case it can be defined as “innovation that’s not only sustainable, but also restorative and resilient” (Hollender 2012, p6). Hollender expresses his opinions that there is no such thing as bad nowadays, instead it should be classified as “less bad” meaning the generation of less waste, less CO2, pollute less water and utilize a greater amount of recycled materials (Hollender 2012, p6). He expresses these views on his idea of “less bad” as the world has revolutionized itself to a point where that almost everything innovative that we now do will harm something else in a negative manner. This is evidently proven from the things that have been invented over time. Going back 100 years from now it is evident that changes have been significant everywhere across the world and in nearly every case it is the tools that we have shaped that are now shaping us, this is becoming a problem in many cases.

Starting right back when the hammer was invented. It can be proven that the tools that we make definitely have an influence on the way we interact on a day-to-day basis. There is no specific date on when the hammer was first utilized or invented but it can be said that the cavemen used to use rocks to help them hit something with more force. Essentially this is what a hammer is used for nowadays but in a much more technical manner.
Back when the cavemen were using the hammer (rocks) they were using it to hunt down animals and deliver repetitive blows with force resulting in broken bones and less overall effort from the caveman himself. This early innovation made life easier for cavemen. Over time the hammer improved significantly until it came to a point where the hammer was then shaping the lives of others. For example the basic hammer that was as simple as a big rock evolved itself into a hammer with a handle, then after different types of heads were developed on the hammer for different purposeful jobs. Nowadays we see the hammer used by shoe repairers, carpenters, handymen, mechanics ect. This simple example of a hammer helps prove that the tools we shape do in fact shape us in a good way, unfortunately though the majority of tools shape us in the opposite direction as shown in my next two examples.

Computers and the recent induction of smart phones and tablets to our business lives have been another prevalent example of our tools shaping us, this time the tool is not shaping us for the better. Computers were first introduced to help complete high volume data tasks at faster speeds instead of doing the work manually with pen and paper. Simply computers were to make life easier. However that trend has recently involved and now computers are everything. Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done (A. Rooney). This quote by A. Rooney suggests that computers are now in control of us. The tool that we once made to make our lives easier and more convenient is now in control of us. An example of this could be the way we use computers to play video games at work or university instead of actually using them to do the things that they are there to be utilized for such as working or studying. Computers are taking over, so are smart phones and tablets in the same way. It can be argued that this is a lack of willpower by the user, but if the majority of users have once used a computer to do something that may not be of a high priority it proves that computers are now shaping us.

Vehicles and modes of transport are a more serious example of tools we have created that now shape the way we are and our living standards. Like the caveman and hammer example cars have evolved from way back. They too now are around for different purposes included racing, personal transportation, business or even recreation/hobbies. Vehicles have an added aspect though and they would fall under the “less good” category stated in the introduction. A study by Leo Hickman has proved that electric cars that are currently in the making will better suit the environment in comparison to the current petrol and diesel cars, but only when further development of battery technology can be made. So at least now we are trying to think of alternatives that are more environment friendly, which will help prolong the lifespan of our planet. Prior to this massive change and movement, cars slowly evolved in a way that damaged the planet. Studies by Department of Science and Technology Education, Lagos State University state that dangerous levels of harmful positive ions occur in the polluted, large industrial and heavily populated cities. Exhaust fumes from cars, trucks and buses play a major role. However now society as a whole is starting to move back in the right direction. We have decided to create electric powered cars that will be better than the current “bad” petrol and diesel cars.

Society must take control and start the move back towards the “less good” innovations instead of the “bad” ones. At least if we start to make small improvements as a whole it will slowly begin to improve our quality of living. However this is difficult to do because innovation is always driven towards, with innovation comes the use of resources that are fast becoming scarce. If everyone can focus on “less good” innovations we will be able to shape newer tools that we can take control of and not allow the tools to control our own lives.