Reconciling Mindfulness and the Nature of Technology

I have been working in early-stage ecosystems for close to eight years now, and every now and then I think about two differing beliefs that I subscribe to.

I am drawn deeply to mindfulness and Buddhist philosophy. There's something profoundly right about the idea that contentment comes from presence and not accumulation. Letting go of desire and being content with reality. Being calm with non-attachment. It definitely helped shaped my personality and contributed to my career - I very seldom get angry or frustrated. I keep calm under stress. I just want to deliver the best outcome, and I'm not going to let any ego get in the way.

On the other hand, I love the world that I work in, in tech and venture capital. This world desires change. The status quo is never enough. The entire premise of technology is built on dissatisfaction: something is broken, and disruptive innovation brings progress. The best founders that I have worked with have a reality-distortion field, not accepting the present as it is. I love this, and I love contributing in any way I can to make these new worlds a reality.

It just feels like mindfulness and technology cannot co-exist. It is the nature of technology, as what Martin Heidegger said. Technology reframes how we see the world. Everything becomes something to be stockpiled, optimised and used. Even ourselves.

Still figuring if there's a way I can reconcile both.