David Lappako, asserting that "Technology Frees Us," was voted America's Greatest Thinker on Saturday night by a crowd of 300 at the New York Mills James Mann Performing Arts Center. Lappako prevailed over Paul Terry, who argued that "Technology Traps Us." While many of the questions and discussions seemed to center around computers and smart phones as technology, Lappako continuously reminded the audience that technology is much more than computers and many of those technological advancements in the fields of medicine, transportation, electricity, etc. do indeed free people to live more full and rewarding lives.
In the earlier rounds, Lappako triumphed over Dave Eckel and Paul Terry was voted into the final round over Marsh Muirhead. All four finalists presented relevant and interesting points to help argue in their favor and the audience votes showed support of all arguments. But, in the end it was Lappako, of Richfield, who the audience said best presented his position that technology is freeing.
