Introduction: Possible, Probable, or Preferable Future?

Abstract “The real question before us lies here: do these instruments further life and its values or not?”—Lewis Mumford The following four articles conclude a two-part feature on the effects that technological advances are having on leisure. In the October issue, after an introduction by feature editors Jeff Hill and Daniel McLean. Alan Ewert and John Shultis chronicled the encroachment of technology into all areas of backcountry recreation, while Michael Blazes discussed the various dilemmas raised when our technological innovations threaten to outstrip our ethical development.