In a world where everybody hides behind technology – Facebook posts, Twitter handles and Instagram photos – sometimes it can feel as if technology is a shield against the rest of humanity.

Enter Iron Man, a pop culture icon that exploded into the world of comic books 50 years ago as a representation of everything the youth were supposed to rebel against.

Premiering at the height of the Cold War as an industrialist weapons manufacturer, the man inside the suit, Tony Stark literally used technology as a protection from the world.

Although he has been updated, redone and modified throughout his half-century of existence, certain aspects of Stark resonate well with today’s techno-heavy society.

Stark is a man with a broken heart. Quite literally, as in his initial appearance – and subsequent appearances – he suffers from shrapnel digging its way to his heart, stopped only by a sophisticated electro-magnet in his chest.

Using his chest piece to power his suit, Iron Man became a symbol for everything the youth wanted to rally for.

A figure who stood for patriotism, stopping world threats of terrorism, Iron Man was someone everybody who picked up a comic book wanted to be.

And while the character has changed, his theme of using technology as a shield has not. Still suffering from his heart condition, Stark uses the Iron Man armor to protect himself in the same way people use social media, blogs and other facets of the Internet to hide their face.

Things like cyber-bullying have become a real thing because people believe they are safe behind technology.

Much like Iron Man, the computer and other aspects have become “free-passes” to some to say or do whatever they please. And yes, while there is freedom of speech, to believe that you are completely safe masked by computers is foolish.

The world is a dangerous enough place without having to resort to using something that can be as wonderful as technology as a weapon, while believing it is a shield.

While Iron Man can represent an amazing use of technology, there is, as always, a dark side to the moon.

That dark side is Tony Stark.

If ever there was a time to step out from the dark side and embrace people, not discriminate, bully or harass through technology, the time is now.

We are on the brink of a technology revolution, one not seen in countless decades, and if this is the way it is going to go, maybe it is better not to have technology.

Don’t be the guy under the suit, damaged and hiding. Remember there is a choice, hide under a weapon or embrace the shield of technology.

Bob Galuski is a English and journalism major. He can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].