[Linnahiril Tinnufinwen]

Although I don't think Tolkien was entirely against technological progress, I do believe that he valued simplicity over complication. The Hobbits, for example, were one of the simplest races in all of Middle Earth, yet the proved to be the hardiest against the seductive power of the Rings.

As seen with Sauron and Sauruman, technology can often times make things much more complicated, and therefore much more chaotic and brutal. It seems in Tolkien's books that the only races who are creating massive amounts of technology are those that desire power over all else. I believe Tolkien also valued the beauty of nature over the more hard-edged "beauty" of something technological.

As I said before, though, I don't think that Tolkien was entirely against progress, as even the Hobbits had their own simple machinery. However, it was just that; simple, and used for little more than to help them get along with their farming and brewing and cooking, etc. What he seemed to be against was complicated technology used for no other purpose but destruction. "Destructive technology" would therefore not be progress in his eyes, but rather a regression in the human race.

In today's world, where cell phones, computers, televisions, video games, and other such technologies are commonly used, often times people forget about thier own facilties. Their lives are ruled by technology, and they would perish, should this technology be taken from them. Not to say that there are not good uses for such technology, but many will abuse these things. Perhaps Tolkien wanted us to live "simple" lives, and use technology only for what would help us move forward, and not let ourselves be ruled by it, or use it for destruction.