Effects of Technology
No one can actually go back in time and tell the exact date technology came into effect; there is no history of when technology began. As far as one is concerned, technology has always existed, depending of the time frame the person lived. Cave men striking two rocks to ignite fire for the very first time can be considered a form of technology because it made life a little easier for them. According to Webster’s Dictionary, technology is the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area. Ever since modern technology came into existence, there has been positive, negative effects as a result.
The use of technology has some positive effects. Technology 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. Machines have automated many of the crucial industrial processes. Machines are now taking up many of the mundane jobs that were once executed by human workers. Technology has evolved to an extent where machines can perform tasks that are physically inaccessible to man. The use of advanced technologies like robotics and artificial intelligence has proved helpful in life-risking tasks like mining and space exploration. The computer technology, needless to say, has changed the face of the world.
Computers can store, organize and manage huge amounts of data. They can process large amounts of information. Computers have given rise to the software industry, one of the most progressive industries of the world. The Internet that seeded from the computer networking concepts is the most effective communication platform and the largest information base existing today. The Internet has brought an important positive change to the entertainment and advertising industry. Advertisements can reach the masses within seconds over the Internet. The entertainment media has progressed only because of the advancements in technology. Cellular communication has revolutionized the communication industry. The conventional telephone, also a piece of technology, was one of the earliest technological developments in communication. Mobile phones have broadened the horizons of communication by enabling convenient long-distance calling. Satellite communication is another important dimension of technology. Satellite TVs and satellite radios have eased the broadcasting of events across the globe.
While technologies have their advantages there is a negative effect to all this technology as well. Since the industrial revolution, society has become more and more dependent on technology. So much so that people sometimes lack the willingness to think before they act. Some individuals become impatient if it takes more than a few seconds to download a copy of the morning news paper. Others expect immediate responses to their email, and expect someone to answer their cell phone whenever and wherever they call. The invention of the television has brought all forms of entertainment into homes, with video and audio combined. Before 1950, newspapers and radio were the only ways to bring media or entertainment into the house. Mass production and other job opportunities brought many people from the rural areas and farms into the city. Society is more reliant on technology than ever before. Technology is making society so bust that people cannot even find time to spend with their dear ones. It would be surprising to know that people are in contact through chat and online messaging though they are in same city. Due to the fact that they think it is faster and effective, but they are forgetting that meeting personally can never replace online chatting.
As society becomes more knowledgeable, technological advancements will be more evident and even more complicated. One has no idea what scientists and engineers might create in the near future but their goal will be to make the world much easier to live in. Their creations might be of great help to society and others might bring great unproductiveness. However, technology will always be needed and will be up to individuals to make use of it as they wish.