Technology and Fire

Shortly after leaving the shipyards following a major overhaul, we experienced an explosion caused by a single nut that was tightened too much. The nut was holding together the main disconnect plates to the sub’s after battery. These plates formed the connection point between the after battery and the rest of the propulsion system for the submarine. This battery contained enough power to light a small city for several days. When properly contained, such power is both marvelous and yet dangerous at the same time.

After Battery Explosion
    By Al Vester
The air thumped with an ominous bump
And men ran out all babbling shouts,
Until one cry was heard above the mad route
“Explosion in the after-battery”
And there hung fear for a split second poised
As every day cares became childish toys.
Then, speed shouted “Move” and everyone jumped
To bring the right gear to the source of the thump,
Extinguishers, canisters, and OBA’s[1] too,
Were wrenched from their racks with little ado.

Some men were injured and blankets demanded,
Two seconds later three blankets were handed
To help the poor guys with the scorched face and eyes.
A fire-blacked, shock-shaken wreck of a man
Was lead to his bed by a friend at each hand.
The bed was a table in the officer’s mess,
A table of law and of food and of jest,
But for a table of mercy t’was suited the best.
For two days and three nights, the guard watch was kept
Over the bed of the chief while he slept
By four of his shipmates, who watched with a care
Beyond what just duty would possibly dare.

Five men were burned when a strained wrench slipped
On a nut that wouldn’t turn and a terminal was clipped.
The atom’s been tamed and electricity stored,
Vast powers we’ve claimed never dreamed of before.
But those powers are hung like a sword by a thread,
Awaiting the chance to drop on our head.

[1] OBA – Oxygen Breathing Apparatus, a device that provides air for fire-fighters in a sealed compartment.

First Lesson of fire and technology – Don’t get burned

Fire is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. For all the warming, cooking, and other uses of fire, for which mankind has depended on for ages, we still struggle when a fire gets out of control. In the past few years, whole forests and even towns and villages have gone up in smoke due to wild fires. Likewise, modern technology has allowed men to soar above the atmosphere and travel beneath the sea. We can converse with each other across continents. Our orbiting telescopes have shown us distant galaxies and detected planets around other suns. Our robot explorers have tasted the dust of Mars gathered samples from flying comets. But uncontrolled, our technology can also create holocausts that make even recent wild fires look puny and insignificant.

Flames and technology can be distracting

Flames, those dancing tongues of heated gases, have mesmerized countless numbers of people over the ages. Vast quantities of marshmallows have been turned to cinders as children have watched the leaping flames rather than the flaming sugar at the end of their stick. Similarly, our youth and many adults spend hours upon hours with video games and other types of virtual reality, while relationships with family and friends wither. Some teenagers can text with thumbs moving at lightning speed, yet they cannot give a well reasoned response to questions asked of them in person. I have observed cell phone users standing elbow to elbow with other passengers in a crowded subway, but they may as well have been standing in a lonely desert for the scant attention they gave to their surroundings.

Using Technology Wisely

Now, I do not condemn technology, nor to suggest that we should return to a supposedly simpler time of a bygone era. Such better times never existed. Only a fanatic lacking real understanding of history would want to return to previous centuries, where news traveled at the speed of a horse. Where diseases were rampant and cures were non-existent. Where, if a child lived to be one year old, big celebrations were held because that child now had a good chance of surviving to adulthood.

Advances in technology have blessed the billions now living on our planet with a better communication and more knowledge than at any time in history. We are at a point in time where single individuals can publish thoughts and ideas and make them available to millions of people around the globe. Right now is the best chance that we have ever had to unite the family of man through civil dialog and reason, or else to destroy mankind through hate and fanaticism.

While acknowledging that some people are intent on destroying western civilization by both physical and cyber attacks, I believe that the resolve of the rest of mankind to use technology for good will save the day. We can improve the conditions of humanity in general. We can build bridges of understanding throughout the world. We can make the choice to take the path of peace, kindness, and cooperation, or else, to fan the flames of hate and contention. May each of us resolve to build a better world both now and for the centuries to come.

Author: Al

Native of Oregon, I served on a submarine during the Vietnam war. I have been an accountant and an information security administrator. Now, I am a retired grandpa hoping to say something that might encourage a little more kindness in this world. View all posts by Al