The Monster should not be the Master

 The Monster should not be the Master

We’ve all been there—pre-booking a cab to avoid last-minute chaos, trusting that technology has made travel simpler. But lately, I’ve noticed something deeply worrying, not just about cab drivers, but about all of us. It’s about how technology is quietly stifling our cognitive abilities.

Let me share a recent experience.

I had pre-booked a cab for an important meeting. As usual, the driver called to confirm he was on his way and to verify the pickup location. I politely gave him a well-known landmark and even asked which direction he was coming from, so I could guide him more effectively. He acknowledged my instructions, but something felt off—his voice was hurried, distracted. It didn’t sound like he was truly listening.

When I reached my gate, the cab was nowhere in sight. I called him. To my surprise, he had already crossed my location. I redirected him again, even though the landmark was clear and easy to find. He eventually arrived, but by then, I had lost valuable time. Fortunately, I had built in a buffer.

But what I observed during the drive was even more alarming.

While driving, he was busy chatting with a friend on his phone. He missed several turns—despite following the map. Worse, he took a longer route. When I politely suggested an alternative to avoid traffic, he flatly refused, saying, “I’ll follow the map.”

Here’s what truly worried me—not just about him, but about a growing trend:

1.   Poor listening skills – He heard me but didn’t process what I said, leading to missed landmarks.

2.   Multitasking behind the wheel – Chatting while driving not only divides attention but also endangers lives.

3.   Blind reliance on maps – The map became his master, not his tool.

4.   Closedness to human input – He rejected a better route simply because an app didn’t suggest it.

And this isn’t an isolated case. I’ve seen this happen more and more often—even for simple tasks that once required basic common sense.

If this continues, we risk becoming so dependent on technology that we lose touch with our own instincts, our listening skills, and our ability to think independently. We forget that the same human brain that created this technology is now falling prey to it—like a monster growing mightier than its master.

Let’s not wait for things to go haywire. Let’s use technology as a servant, not a substitute for our own intelligence. Because the moment we stop thinking, the machines win.

M.L. Narendra Kumar