Pros And Cons Of Modern Technology Essay 1xj4i

P.S.124 701

Durga Shivmangal December 17, 2013

By Durga Shivmangal “The world possesses the ability to improve or destroy itself in a moment’s notice.” This quote arouses many theories on how technology is really benefitting our society. Before I proceed to carry on with my theory pertaining to modern day technology, it must be stated that technology has affected our lives in a tremendous way, whether we realize it or not. Technology has seemingly become a common “necessity” for those who have access to it. Many of us have become so accustomed to technology and its luxury that, when deprived, many aspects of our lives are altered. Even though technology is considered a luxury, it is also very significant. Technology is important because it has impacted many aspects of our lives; improving the way we live and our society today. Our standard of living has increased, and so we are able to complete several tasks with ease. Whether you’re resting or working, it is almost certain that you’re surrounded by technology. Although, the more technology advances, the more threats are produced. As is life, for we cannot stifle the creative process, good or bad. I accede with the fact that technology has, in many ways, improved our way of life. On a personal note, I believe technology is fantastic, when used in moderation. But too much of anything inevitably has its downsides, and I believe many take advantage of our modern day technology. With the saying, “Without evil, there wouldn’t be any good,” it’s made clear that our modern day technology has several pros, as well as cons. Although, you wouldn’t be certain until you examined the history of the issue. Until then, the question still remains. Is modern day technology hurting us, or making us? When asked “what are examples of technology?” what comes to mind? Before you can answer that, one must figure out what technology actually is. Technology is the use of tools, gadgets and resources that help us control and adapt to our environment. That being said, many people think of cars, phones, or a television. But what about an abacus? Or even our first numbering system? Despite the technological advances our society obtains today, many years ago technology took the form of simpler items, such as the two I mentioned previously. Currently, there is known to be four ages of technology; the Pre-Mechanical Age, the Mechanical Age, the Electro-Mechanical Age, and the Electric Age. During the Pre-Mechanical Age (3000 BC-1450 BC), technologies such as writing, the alphabet, paper, pens, and our first numbering system were produced by many innovative minds who yearned to better our society. Throughout the Mechanical Age (1450-1840), inventions such as the first mechanical computing machines, mathematical engines, and punch cards were introduced. In the Electro-Mechanical Age (1840-1940), we discovered ways to harness electricity, the telegraph, telephone, radio, morse code, and the voltaic battery. Last but not least, there is the Electric Age (1940-Present),

the one in which we reside in today, therefore we are more familiar with the technology produced today. That would include the first electronic computer, core processors, vacuum tubes, and calculators. There is no question about the fact that technology has developed rapidly these past years, not to mention hundreds of years ago. We went from an abacus to early voting booths, to cellular phones, and maybe there may eventually be robots, and with all these smartphones around, I wouldn’t put it past anything. By looking at this brief timeline, many can see why technology has become important because it has massively contributed to our everyday lives. No matter what, in our modern society we are constantly surrounded by technology. It has allowed us to complete harder tasks with ease and has developed due to new innovations and inventions. The sole reason as to why technology is so controversial is that as we progress, new threats are being produced. Now, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, I believe our modern day technology is astounding, when used in moderation. Since majority of our population fails to do that, I must say that the amount of cons outweigh the pros of modern technology. “There is unparalleled potential to improve or exploit individuals with the use of technology,” and indeed there is. Some say that “without technology, we would’ve been complacent farmers and hunters even today.” I cannot fully agree with this statement because it is of nature for humans to be innovative and try to make things easier and more efficient. That brings me to this wonderful and thought provoking quote, “The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn't think they could learn before, and so in a sense it is all about potential.” It is true, certain technology can spark a true innovative mind that can lead to many miraculous innovations, but not all technology is this way, but let us focus on the good. Technology provides individuals with opportunities for future careers. This benefits our society because, with all this technology around, we need people to participate in careers that involve technology. Not only that, but many jobs today involve technology, such as building, software, mechanics, etc. So providing those opportunities will help people prosper and become more familiar with technology. Our modern day technology also enhances education and communication. Instant messaging and apps like Skype allow communication between people almost everywhere. It’s a great way for distant family and friends to keep in touch with one another. Individuals also have access to more information on the internet opposed to just a textbook, simply because a computer has access to more sources. One cannot forget our medical advances due to our rapidly progressing technological advances. Cures for diseases, like cancer, can and are being researched thanks to technology today. Unlike years in the past, we are now able to live past 40 because we have simple, yet crucial, medical advances such as vaccines. We are also able to perform complex surgical operations for those that need it so they can live a healthy life. Thanks to technology, we have all three of these things that help improve our daily lifestyle. As much as we appreciate technology, it can hurt us in more ways we would never imagine. Even though common luxuries such as phones and automobiles make tasks easier, it is

taken advantage of and used more than it is supposed to, ultimately resulting in the destruction of our environment. We are u more of the Earth’s resources, such as fossil fuels, and we aren’t giving back. Sooner or later we will run out of resources and we’ll have to figure out a new way to provide ourselves with what we lost. “Humans have the ability to improve or destroy the earth in a moment’s notice,” and by the looks of things such as global warming, our decrease in natural forests, and decrease in animal life, we are on the verge of destruction. Some may say that there are groups all over that help restore the natural balance to our Earth, but they forget part of the reason as to why these environments were destroyed initially; technology. As for war, our military is very advanced, using nuclear bombs and more advanced destructive machinery. Although, these weapons let off radiation, which can affect many people in very harmful and destructive ways. Personally, I believe the idea is frightening; to think it all depends on the daily actions and how we use our modern technology. Another con of modern day technology is that we depend on modern tools like calculators which stifle our creativity process. Yes, those who plan to make a career in the field of technology have no choice but to be innovative and create new technology, but what about those who don’t plan to have a career in technology? The more we stick to technology, the bigger price our creativity process pays. We get used to technology, so we don’t attempt to advance ourselves. A great example of this would be calculators. Overall, people tend to use calculators so frequently that when handed a paper and pencil, many may forget how to solve it by themselves. You also cannot forget how much the obesity rates have gone up in America, partially due to technology. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 10 percent of preschool age children and 15 percent of 6to 19-year olds, can be considered overweight. Twice as many are on the brink of this statistic, making childhood obesity a societal epidemic. Environmental factors, such as a lack of physical activity and technological advances have also led to a more sedentary lifestyle. More than 9 million adolescents (children and teens 6 to 19 years old) are considered overweight. Instead of walking to the store, many decide to ride a car. This simple change strips us of physical activity, and the fuels that emit from the car are harmful to our environment. Modern technology is also widening the gap between economic classes. Even though we have technology, other places don’t have as much access to it. The overall effect is that it cause people to feel inferior in comparison to others and creates a major gap between poverty and the upper/middle class. Some say that technology does good for their society or even the world as a whole, and some say that even though technology has helped us, it may also be destroying us. Many can agree that modern technology has both pros and cons. It is evident that it can help us and hurt us at the same time. I believe that technology is great, when used in moderation. Although, since people fail to understand that too much of anything is destructive, I must say that the cons of modern day technology outweigh the pros. After all, I would prefer living without a few of our modern day luxuries than not have a place to live at all, wouldn’t you? Modern technology has caused an immense gap in economic classes, enabled us humans to be downright lazy and turn to technology opposed to completing tasks manually, and most importantly, it is destroying our

environment. “The world possesses the ability to improve or destroy itself in a moment’s notice.” Regardless of pros and cons, people continue to adapt as technology continues to advance.