For Heidegger, modernity represents a pivotal shift in the human relationship with the world. He argued that modernity is characterized by the dominance of technology, where instrumental rationality guides human behavior and defines the essence of being. This conception of human action being led by the rationality of technology is key to Heidegger’s definition of modernity as a loss of personal agency; this concept is central to his critiques of modern technology and its moral implications. Modernity, according to Heidegger, alienates individuals from their authentic existence, leading to a loss of meaning and a forgetfulness of the natural way of life. In addition, Heidegger's perspective on technology is a truly unique idea. Rather than viewing technology as mere tools or instruments, he considered it as a way of revealing. According to Heidegger, technology is not just a means to an end; it is a way of understanding and relating to the world. Technology brings forth a particular understanding of reality, shaping how humans interpret and interact with their surroundings. As a result, our technology acts as a lens that reflects back on us, changing how we look at and interact with the world just as we change the way the world works using technology.   

Heidegger introduced the distinction between poiesis and praxis to highlight the contrasting ways in which human beings engage with the world. Poiesis refers to the act of bringing something into being, involving craftsmanship, artistic creation, and the production of artifacts. Praxis, on the other hand, represents the realm of human action and practical engagement with the world, encompassing activities like politics, ethics, and social interactions. Heidegger describes praxis as inherently linked to technology and modernity; humanity, after all, uses technology in almost every practical engagement with the world, from farming to conversation and teaching. These human actions are thereby inherently linked to the steady march of modernity; meanwhile, poiesis is not necessarily tied to technology. While we are stuck in the present with the goals of praxis, poiesis can be the artist’s way of revealing, or bringing forth, alathea, or the truth, and revealing the world for what it is. Poiesis is therefore an extension of the goal that Heidegger attributes to the technologies of the past, while providing one with the opportunity to surpass the technological autocracy of the future.  

Heidegger identified a significant difference between modern technologies and what he referred to as "gentle" technologies. Modern technologies, driven by instrumental rationality and efficiency, tend to impose their own framework of understanding upon humans. They transform nature into a mere resource and reduce everything to calculable quantities. In this process, human beings become mere consumers and subjects of technological manipulation, disconnected from their essence. Technology thus rules the world, even if humans are using it, because they begin to see the world in terms of technology and its twisted rationality. One can observe this in the modern preoccupation with cell phones. People often struggle to exist or focus without their phone on their person, and we now in many ways view the world through the instant connection that phones deliver with others. In contrast, Heidegger proposed the concept of "gentle" technologies, which maintain a closer alignment with the essence of Being. Gentle technologies emphasize harmony, sustainability, and a more naturalistic relationship with the world at large. They respect the natural order, promote meaningful engagement, and enhance human flourishing. Examples of gentle technologies include traditional craftsmanship, contemplative practices, and ecological farming methods. These processes also maintain human life, but unlike technologies of the modern era, Heidegger argues, they do not overtake human agency. One still crafts the vase, even if they use a spinning wheel to do so; but when someone decides to take a flight because a website calculated it was the most efficient path, they don’t necessarily decide to make that decision, without the revelations brought by modern technology.  

Heidegger was deeply worried about the transformative effect of modern technologies on the human condition. He argued that technology's pervasive presence and its focus on efficiency threaten to reduce human existence to a state of constant busyness, superficiality, and alienation. The obsession with productivity, speed, and consumption, he believed, leads to a loss of connection with the world and with one's authentic self. In response to the challenges posed by modern technology, Heidegger called for a reorientation in our understanding and relationship with technology. He urged individuals to develop a more contemplative stance, to reflect upon the essence of technology and its impact on our lives. Heidegger encouraged a critical examination of the values underpinning modern technology and a return to a more natural understanding of the world. By recognizing the impact of technology and distinguishing between modern and "gentle" technologies, Heidegger invites us to reflect on the ways in which our technological choices shape our lives. His philosophical insights encourage a reevaluation of our relationship with technology and a rediscovery of our authentic selves within the framework of modernity. Ultimately, Heidegger's work reminds us of the importance of cultivating a more thoughtful and contemplative approach to the technologies that surround us.