Monday, January 10, 2011
Week #4: Science & Technology
What a thought-provoking discussion during class re: science and technology pros and cons! Use this blog for follow up and to extend our thoughts and raise questions on how science and technology impact North America and the globe. Will science "save" mankind OR will we destroy ourselves using technology? How have various scientific developments enriched our lives? At what cost?
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Technology has both helped us and hindered us. While new technology has helped make things easier for us, it also makes us lazier. Too much visual and auditory stimulation limits social skills and creativity. According to statistics, kids spend an average of 6 hours a day watching tv, listening to music or talking/texting on the phone. Excess tv not only contributes to emotional problems and inattentiveness, but also decreases the desire for physical activity.
ReplyDeleteConvenience, is one positive thing about new advances in technology. Since pretty much everything is available online, we save time and money when shopping and performing other tasks such as, online banking. Machines and computers have made it easier for us to accomplish more at work and home. The constant demand to make devices smaller and more efficient, creates more jobs for the rapidily growing world of technology.
I agree with Krystal that technology has both helped and hindered us. Personally, I am thankful for the advances in computer technology. For instance, the typewriter has developed from a manual machine to a keyboard connected to a computer. I can’t even imagine having to type on a manual typewriter. People had to make corrections using erasers, look up words in the dictionary, and did not have the convenience of an online thesaurus. Now, the computer corrects spelling and grammar errors. Although I am thankful for this advance, I am also aware that by using the modern technology I have become lazy and in a sense dumber. As an example, if I use the dictionary to look up the spelling of a word, I always read the definition. However, by using Microsoft Word’s spell check, I don’t even see the definition. So I am missing an opportunity to increase my vocabulary. Additionally, with cell phone texting capabilities, we have basically developed another language. i.e. lol (laugh out loud). This makes me wonder what the future holds for our vocabulary. There just may be a time when people communicate using acronyms or even symbols! Isn’t that how cavemen corresponded? Talk about going full circle.
ReplyDeletePositive Effects of Technology on Society
ReplyDeleteTechnology has automated many of the critical processes in the industry as well the household. The electronic gadgets that have entered the homes of the common man have saved him from the daily household work. The automobile industry and technology are almost interwoven. Times have witnessed this industry evolve from mechanical scooters to automated aircrafts. Animals were the only modes of transport in the olden days. Technology was the driving force behind the creation and design of the modern-day automobiles. Bicycles evolved into scooters and sports bikes. The idea of having four-wheeled modes of transport gave rise to the creation of cars. Modes of air and water transport came up, thanks to technology.
Technology Can help to power our minds and simplify our lives. By way of internet and house hold electronics, they are faster to use, and can bring us knowledge faster than ever. The grab and go items that we physically consume from fastfood resturants or the freezer section at the store, have all made it possible for man and wemon to work longer hours, spend less time with their children, get less physical exercise and rest needed to function properly. These items are good in moderation but as an everyday all day occurance it is causing more than lazzieness. It is filling land fills faster, causing severe obesity in adults and children, it causes a loss of family togetherness were kids are taught the true love of life, respect, and understanding of the real world. As we progress in technology we lose more time to our kids, as well as our natural surrondings. I also think that technology has also brought more crime, obesity, and unaware ignorance to our society. Look at the statistics through out the past 20-30 years as technology and fast food became more relevant to our lives, the more the crime, obesity, and unaware ignorance sky-rocketed.
ReplyDeleteGod, where would we be without technology? I can’t even image a day without technology ever senses my family and I came to the United States. I can remember being in Kenya getting up around 3:30 am to walk five or so miles in the dark on a dirt road, just to get in a long line to get water for the week, so that my mom could cook for us. Now, due to the advancement of technology and also being in first class country; has changed our lives forever. My family and I sometimes laugh as we sit around the kitchen table and talk about the old days; as we simple turn on the faucet and get some clean fresh water and not that dark brown stuff that we once drank. I guess I could have talked about something more exciting that technology has done for me, but as my family and I go, the simple basics of having instant access to clean water in our kitchen is far more thrilling to us then our iphones.
ReplyDeleteWe would all have a life expectancy of like 35 yrs old without technology. Advances in basic medication and surgical procedures wouldn't be possible without technology. As far as video games and television are concerned, I could go without them. Its the internet that I need in order to succeed. Without the internet we would not be having this conversation right now. It has increased globalization, communication, and is a basic necessity in most American lives whether it be for shopping, information (students), sports, etc. The world relies on the internet, and it would be a very different world without it.
ReplyDeleteTo Dan Ns comment. Yes medicine is a great advancement to prolong life. And yes the internet can be a wonderful thing. But it is not a necessity communication is not some typed words on a screen, it is Physical human contact. Being able to see a person, watch there body-language, look into their eyes, on a screen they are just words not the person. Don't get me wrong, but I came from a world were computers in the home were almost un-heard of. They were invented by people that grew-up with out them, just a book, brain, and an idea to connect the world. There is more to life that people are missing out on because of technology. And it has also created a greater opening into the world of crime. So yes the internet has some great abilities, but ignoring the bad it brings will not help the world either.
ReplyDeleteI feel like technology is like everything else. Anything is good in moderation but when it becomes excessive it can be harmful. If we use the new technology and the new discoveries to better ourselves and our future then thats one thing. But when we use it in place of something else, then I feel like were losing touch with our world. For example, many people text or email instead of talking to someone face to face. We are using technology in place of direct human contact. Or when we might use technology to decide the color of our children's eyes. I just don't think additives like that are necessary. Let nature do it's thing, in my opinion. That's part of the beauty of life and mother nature. I am proud of how far we have come with all the new discoveries and I am excited for the future. I just hope it doesn't get too crazy and interfere with what nature intends for us.
ReplyDeleteOk I will be the pesimest today! I feel technology although have made improvements to our lives will be our downfall. Today's society rely's heavily on technology, from cell phones to 3D televisions. If something happend or another country was able to "shut" us down we would be lost. Technology has allowed nations to create weapons they don't fully understand and these nations will use them without any regard to other human beings. I think that technology has helped us greatly by providing better navigation, safety, and medical break throughs that may have never been realized without it, but it's a scarey thought that if someone took out telecommunications people would actually have no clue how to make phone calls or communicate with one another and would create a very volitile environment.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rosemary in that technology is good, but in moderation. I use my cell phone and laptop so much throughout the day that I really can't imagine what I would do without them. It is really getting out of hand that people would rather talk through technology rather than face to face. Computers cause some problems as well. Bullying is a big problem that comes with the internet. I think if we are allowing children to use the internet, it should be monitored closely. There are positives and negatives to everything, but technology has defiantly taken its tole on today's society.
ReplyDeleteTechnology has done wonders for our society such as the advancements of modern medicine,better forms of transportation, other forms of cmoounication, and ways to obtain knowlege. But the down side is because of technology the earth is being destroyed, people don't rely on verbal communication, and books are almost a foregin object. Children and adults don't get much physical exercise, cell phones are attached to most individuals body, and the internet is the answer for most questions. People think they can't survive without modern day gadgets, but the fact is that many people live long, satisfying and productive lives without them. Technology is wonderful but to much of a good thing can be very destructive.
ReplyDeleteIn today’s world, technology is rapidly changing from making new innovations to improve transportation as well as the health problem that may save other lives. We could say that technology today has brought us many wonderful things that made life easier and quicker. However, technology could be very harmful to others if people use it for wrong purpose. However, disadvantage is that it made people becoming lazy.
ReplyDeleteOne of the areas of impact is in the field of education. People put books behind them. Reading not only helps us to learn vital information, but it also allows us to use our imagination. Another impact is health problem. People spend their extra time doing leisurely things, which might make them happier, but also has an effect on our health such as heart disease due to lack of exercise. All of this cannot be blamed on technology, in fact is people’s fault that use technology as the wrong purpose.
Hmmm, Technology! I would have to say that it has helped and hinder in the business world aspect. Technology has made it possible for a corporation to expand internationally. For my current profession, I use the internet all day long. As stated in class, I use facebook on a daily basis to find information about potential clients / customers and several other programs that basically give you their whole identity. We have the technology to have meeting via web-cameras, so companies can save money on travel and transportation expenses. So for the business aspect I would have to say it is a plus.
ReplyDeleteNow onto the personal aspect of technology and the affects it has on the family front. I would have to agree with previous posts; in moderation anything can be great. My children are under ten years of age. They are not allowed to use the internet or computers unless it is for educational purposes. My children will not have a cell phone until they can afford one. They have the video games however they are only allowed to use them in moderation. We have used the video games for family fun nights. Moderation is the key.
I do not think technology will ever over take human kind nor be our demise. Has anyone ever seen Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory with Johnny Depp??? Well Charlie’s dad worked for a factory that replace workers with machines (toothpaste factory) and his father lost his job. By the end of the movie his father was brought back to the company to fix the machines that took his job. The only downfall I can think of is the lack of social skills the generations to come will be missing.
Can you live without the internet? Of course, but that was not the argument I was trying to make. The internet has made the world better. Companies have gotten bigger and stronger. Innovation has only increased because the internet has made it possible for innovators to evaluate other innovator's projects. The ability to communicate with anyone from a business partner to a friend on the other side of the planet is also a remarkable asset. The list goes on and on. Of course the internet is not a necessity to survive, but it is a very convenient technology.
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ReplyDeleteI think that technology has benefitted humankind for the most part. Obviously the destructive capabilities of weapons have gotten far more advanced, but our position as a super power means that we can not rest on our laurels as far as military technology goes. Looking back through history we see many times that a dominant state was defeated by a smaller state that had a technological innovation. Examples would be the composite bow and cavalry tactics that the Mongol's used to such deadly effect against the Chinese and other states. Even farther back in history we see how the horse drawn chariot changed the power structure of the Mesopotamian river valley culture. Or how the transition from Bronze Age (alloy of copper and tin, which was rare and expensive) to Iron Age (abundant ore deposits in many regions) changed the face of whole regions and cultures. Iron weapons were cheaper and easily mass produced which allowed states to retain standing armies and changed the power structure of many empires of the ancient world. The use of technology is also one of the factors that qualifies us as a "have" and not as a "have not". Our ability to utilize technology is an important point that gives us a certain edge. Think of how many people in the work force were unfamiliar with computer technology, and the incidence of them having to take classes to learn the new systems so they could compete in the job market. Although I think it is ironic that when you look at the computers of that time, it is say that even a basic cell phone today is more complex and sophisticated. :)
ReplyDeleteTo touch on the point of technology causing people to modify the way we interact that was raised by so many of my classmates, I think that it is true. People, myself often included, would rather send a text than have a phone conversation. There was an interesting episode of "On Point" with Tom Ashbrook on NPR last night that was dealing with a very similar topic. The episode dealt with "tweeting", and how the character limit causes people to communicate in new ways. The point that the show made was that the space constraint was perfect for the Japanese style of poetry, haiku. It is probably apparent from my previous post that I have no problem embracing technology, but I am not an ardent supporter. Technology is a just another tool at our disposal, and one that we do not have to utilize. However, the point of the show was that yes, technology has changed the way we communicate in this day and age, but there are still very personal, and very human way to get our points across utilizing these technologies.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think the best of technology because it has revolutionized our lives in so many ways. We can connect with people around the world with the push of a few buttons, our cars can self-parallel park! Reading a book with actual pages, what? Yes even that is changing as the kindle and its many versions are saturating the bookworm market.
ReplyDeleteMany people are fast to point out that we are becoming lazier, our kids are missing out and our social skills are being erased...I completely agree with that, but I also think this is evolution in progress. Kids may be stuck to their video games, and I would most certainly be lost without a GPS but are we really loosing out? I think we're just adapting in a new age, just as generations before us did. Once upon a time, there wasn't even electricity! And while we may be nostalgic about the past, no one's complaining about their easy lifestyle. Just think of it this way - things that were once commonplace are just becoming more sacred now (i.e. black and white photography, hand-written letters). One day we may be taken over by robots but in the meantime let's enjoy having our cars automatically start in the cold winter months!
Technology is something every human NEEDS. It doesnt necessarily mean everyone has it but if they want to thrive and survive in today's world then they will have to use some sort of technology from medical technologies to stay healthy and get cured from disease to cell phones and internet to stay connected and informed of news going on across the globe. Humans can controll the amount of technology used or invented and without help from humans, technology cannot destroy/end civilization. It all boils down to humans and the way they controll things.(If this is the case I think we are in trouble lol)Medical technologies are the most important and the only technology humans really have to have. It saves and extends life. Phones, internet and pretty much everything else are just material necessities.
ReplyDeleteThere are alot of issues associated to Technology. Yes we all agree Medical,communication,ext. But Technology is not only associated to these things and obesity. It has also been proven to cause desiese's like cancer. The plastic products that we touch and drink from everyday cause phito-estrogens into our bodies, which cause tons of problems to men and wemon like, hormonel enbalance, early menopause, which has led to infertility in wemon that have an abundence of chemical estogen in their bodies, in men it can cause beer belly, man boobs, low or loss of sperm count which has be known to cause male infertility. Technology has also been proven to cause cancer through materials used to make these technological items. Modern medicine is a good thing but some drugs have been know to cause cancer, infertility inboth men and wemon, blood clots that have led to death, or just death. Yes these things need to be researched better. Yes some people are living longer and some are dying alot younger. Technology is indeed a good thing but maybe it's really the greed of money that strives humanity to push technology out before they know the effects it will have on people.I raised the awareness of cancer because over the past 10 or more years the percentage of getting cancer has risen almost 20% that is alot and still progressing.
ReplyDeleteI think that technology has helped in many ways, with the advancement in the medical field and connecting people all over the world. With technology messing with food that was placed on the earth as a healthy way to live is going too far. I know that some people could benefit from the advancements of the chemicals in food, but at what cost? I think education and vital resources, like water are the key to helping developing countries. My main way of thinking is that there is a time and place for Technology; don’t want to find out years down the road that these chemicals that were put in the ground hurt us. It is already bad enough that most everything is causing cancer anymore.
ReplyDeleteAmazing observations and insights into the pros and cons "technology" brings our lives. I wonder about the techno future?? I'm also struck by the irony of using a blog to discuss technology:)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if science and technology will save mankind or will destory us , because just like everything else in life they have their pros and cons for example a pro would be advanced in medicine and being able to contact someone with just a click of a button and a con would be cyber bullying and being able to acccess other peoples information without them knowing. For me I believe it will destroy and save us its kind of for me a happy medium type of adventure because we dont know what the future holds for us.
ReplyDeleteThere are many good comments. I agree with parts of each argument. I think that technology has brought many great things to the world. The major thing that some have stated is globalization. If not for the advancements bringing us computers and cell phones it would be a hard and complicated world. Even with advancements, like how we said in class, people still want more. They want things better and ever faster then things are now. People forget or are nieve to the fact that it is very bad in other places. Some places don't even have running water let alone transportation. We need to be thankful for what we have and stop worrying about what more we can get. One thing though that is good to keep advancing is the technology to help people and cure them with medicine and the equipment to do so.
ReplyDeleteTechnology has brought also disadvantages to the world. Kids today as we discussed in the class are so lazy. I do believe that technology alone is not just to blame. I don't have any kids but I see my family and friends and how they raise their kids and that definitely plays a huge part. I know how even in the little ways how technology has make me dependant, such as with my cell phone it I was to lose it I would not get ahold of anyone because I dont' even know anyones number. Children are at the most risk for losing out on life, parents need to have their kids use things in moderation. I also agree with Michele Bille that the advancement in technology comes with the advancement of more powerful and deadly weapons and thats scary.
With the vast improvements in the speed of communication it is now easier than ever to talk to someone on the other side of the world through voice, texts, and video chat. However with the ease in communication mainly the youth have become lazy and often even prefer texting over personal communication. This is a growing problem in schools and in homes as kids are more often texing in class, cheating on work, staying inside instead of going out, and are lacking communication skills.
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