Benjamin H. Housman on positionality.

No longer do we relate to the Rhine as thing—as the beautiful River that we are connected to, that we dwell around, as part of Being. On the contrary, it is approached for the sake of its consequences, for the sake of producing electricity, which in turn powers our televisions, which in turn defines how we plan our days, etc. etc. Indeed, Heidegger defines this “self-gathered collection of positioning” as positionality [das Ge-Stell], and, according to Heidegger, it is in this positionality wherein the essence of technology lies.

So why does it matter that we now live in a positioned world exemplified by our new relationship to the Rhine as standing reserve? Positionality removes us from our natural environment—the environment that provides the materials that we then convert into energy and use to power our devices. When we turn on our computers, lights, cars, etc. rarely do we reflect on the process and resources that allow for us to operate our machines. For example, when we turn the lights on in a room, hardly ever do we say to ourselves: “I am glad we have that hydroelectric plant in the Rhine, which converted that water energy into electricity using a turbine, which was then shot through power lines into my home, producing the effect I am now witnessing with this lit light bulb.” Positionality, as exemplified here in the power grid, causes us to take for granted our natural environment. This unappreciative attitude that defines the technological culture we live in today does not encourage people to concernfully approach things and our world—instead it distances us from the very environment that is such a part of our essence as beings in this world. Herein lies the problem: because we are so immersed in this positioned world that induces us to take nature for granted, we do not realize that turning on that light bulb actually has real consequences for our environment, such as producing global warming. In addition, the technological, positioned world also removes us from caring for and guarding our environment, and Heidegger proceeds in his lecture by stressing the danger of positionality.

Pp. 29-30