TECH1
Versatile Tech
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Versatile Tech
Technology is no longer an apparatus but rather a mindset etched deep within the human consciousness. The single most important thought consuming humanity is “more” and technology provides the catalyst for that hunger. This research paper explores the beneficial and detrimental aspects of technology in various areas including human life. Benefits are seen as those elements that promote the wellbeing and positive expansion of an individual or group of people.
Benefits of Technology
Technology has been extremely helpful in pulling humanity from the clutches of the dark ages and placing them into the realm of illumination. When imagination meets possibility coupled with the proper funding and resources there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. The fact that this research paper was created on a computer instead of a typewriter is a small example. There are more dramatic examples such as the first man on the moon and then advent of laptops. Additional technologies that have benefits humanity are discussed in the following section.
Directions of Technology
Looking at the direction of technology from a children's perspective the message given to students at the Wilson Middle School was paramount. Technology itself is simply a tool and those that use it must be responsible citizens in this new technological world (Carlisle 2013). What exactly does that mean? It means that children should adopt the "Golden Rule", apply ethics, and morals when using technology. One of the most important ideals is that people live for others and not for themselves.
Advancement is impressed upon the minds and even the very genetic code of humanity, the desire to always do more, be more, and have more. This desire fuels the creation of newer technologies such as Windows 7, iPads, and synchronicity among electronic devices. “It is often presumed that individuals with greater computer experience will easily adopt new or updated replacements of existing information technology (VarmaMarler, 2013).” The two computer realms for examination are: computer use and computer proficiency.
No matter how advanced technology becomes there are always baseline components such as DOS prompts, microchips, etc. The advancements are simply modifications in some respect to the original component or program. With that being said it makes sense that those who have sufficiently learned the system would not want to automatically change whenever a new system emerged. Computer proficiency is mastery of a certain computer type which includes the hardware and specific software for that model (VarmaMarler, 2013). It may take individual years to attain this knowledge even though the evolution of computers is every 2 to 3 years respectively.
New models are not bug proof and there will be patches and modifications to be made. Once that is done which might take 2 years, then another system will be presented to the world. This is a never ending cycle. Time is precious and so the individuals who have already mastered a particular area in the computer world would not want to change. The other dimension was computer usage. The amount of time spent on a computer and the reason to use the computer also determine if an individual wants a newer model (VarmaMarler, 2013).
Individuals such as gamers and computer programmers need high processing speeds and large amounts of memory because they use their computer almost constantly. In the case of the average computer user these two features may not be that important, therefore getting the newer faster model would not be favorable. It would be like buying a source of entertainment rather than a beneficial utility. Speaking of beneficial utilities safe systems while driving fit the category and are discussed in the next section.
Technology and Driving
One of the most audacious pieces of equipment now found on motor vehicles is type of sonar that detects objects in proximity of the vehicle and warns the driver (Reynolds). When thinking about sonar the military comes to mind because of submarines and the various objects to avoid underwater. Sonar has also been used above ground with planes and other military weapons. The adaptation from weapon to safety device is amazing and thus the nature of technology. It can be created to do one thing at one time and then be recreated or reimaged to be used for another thing at another time.
Toyota is the proud user of intelligent clearance sonar (ICS) and drive-start control (Reynolds). ICS has only briefly been described in this section. Some additional facts include brake application when necessary such as to prevent unwarranted collisions and avoid making violent contact with obstacles. According to Reynolds, "Drive-start control is designed to minimize the chance of forward- moving impacts. They can happen when a driver reacts to a collision while reversing by shifting instinctively into drive and pressing hard on the gas pedal, risking another accident. The Toyota- developed computer-controlled system monitors the vehicle's direction and acceleration to minimize the chance of such forward- moving impacts taking place."
At this point the thought might come up about the actual controller of the vehicle. Is the driver in control or is the safety system in control? The creators of this safety system have provided many assurances that the driver is the one in control while the safety system is second in command to keep the driver safe. There is on additional benefit concerning technology to be address and that involves the world of medicine.
Technology and Medicine
The Glasgow and Clyde regions of Scotland have faced some serious issues in terms of deaths. The issue is not one that many people think about but it can be a lethal killer if left unchecked. This killer is mouth cancer which is most commonly associated with individuals that use chewing tobacco. Dr. Rahman, a prominent dentist in the region, is using a new form of technology the VELscope device to help detect malignancies and abnormal cells that may signal the onset of the cancer (Ellis, 2013).
This device is considered to be non-invasive and emits a blue light that picks up regions in the mouth were an infection may occur. The type of light used is very important because these infections can actually hide in certain forms of light. Dr. Rahman's goal is to use this new form of technology on all his patients and if something is found they will be sent immediately for further examination and treatment (Ellis, 2013). Technology at its finest helping those in need in the hands of someone skilled, this is the way it should ultimately be used, however, this does not happen all the time.
Dangers of Technology
It is clear that something which seems to be a benefit can actually become a danger. The more an individual allows something to take his or her attention the more control that person is giving to the object of focus. Technology is the same way and first thought might have been spending hours on the Internet. This is true however it is not the only danger. There are other forms of technology such as smartphones, iPads, and video consoles. Some of these issues will be addressed in this section.
Children and Technology
Children are draw towards technology because it is easy to use, it is entertaining, and it has modified avenues of learning. The days of searching long hours for homework answers and study material shave been replaced with Google Scholar and other search engines capable of pulling up the same information in minutes. With this in mind it would be difficult for even the Pied Piper to lure children away from technology with his magic flute. The world is fast paced and getting faster all the time which means that humanity has more to look at and experience than ever before. Even without sleep the average human only has 24 hr. to experience as much as possible.
In the academic world, the family world, and the personal world this bombardment of quick easy entertainment is like an epidemic. Everything is handed to children and even adults through electronic means and the amount of effort, critical thinking, and creative thought is drastically reduced (Steuernagel 2012). It could almost be termed a "reversal of knowledge", information received without struggle or effort that is not respect and is soon taken away.
According to Steuernagel (2012), "The majority of adults and children are unable to focus and maintain attention to tasks for very long periods. Activities like balancing a checkbook, filling out a job application and following through on household chores are a struggle. Reading for meaning and true comprehension is too difficult. Deep thinking skills needed for planning and problem solving are impaired because of the amount of sustained attention they require. Poor language development, inadequate social skills, lack of empathy, impulse control and obesity are the norm for our children."
The situation may seem hopeless if alternative means of teaching are not found by the educational system. It is clear that technology is not going away and it is not slowing down in the future. The only other option is to use what has been a weakness for individuals as an advantage. There must be a merging between the traditional way of educating students and the new technological way to educate students. It was mentioned earlier that technology as also adversely affected the adult population and in the next section this will be discussed.
Technology, Internet, Adults and Children
The Internet like other pieces of technology is simply a medium used by humanity for various reasons. The term humanity in this case is not associated with the feelings of compassion and concern but rather the race of people that live on planet Earth. Life is hard especially for children who are trying to find their way in life. There will be nature obstacles such as puberty and figuring out what wear to school. Additional pressures that should not affect children to the devastating extent that it has are bullying and eating disorders such as anorexia.
Before the advent of the Internet children and even adults faced these types of problems but they were isolated. In terms of bullying the parameters were school, the neighborhood, maybe even phone threats. Now there is Twitter, Facebook, chat rooms, and blogs that allow for the almost constant terrorism of children. The worst part is that once online the terrorist can become anyone, an avatar or nameless tormentor because the Internet allows, encourages, and breeds anonymity. No one is responsible anymore. In terms of eating disorders there are YouTube videos, blogs, and whole communities that encourage the dangerous behavior of not eating or eating and purging.
Each human being had their breaking point and children are no different. If a child senses there is no hope and there will never been a solution; one of two choice emerge. The first choice is permanent which death to escape the tormentors is. The second is only permanent for the tormentors which are killing them to stop the terrorism. According to Henry (2012), "NHS figures published last year show the extent of the problem. Hospital admissions for intentional self-harm have increased by nearly 10,000 - just over 10 per cent - in three years to 104,340." The scary part is that technology is ever advancing so what's next a hologram of the tormentors projected into the bedrooms of the victims under an assumed identity. The last danger zone in this section is associated with science.
Technology and Science
The human body is composed of cells which were created from a genetic code or DNA strand. Over the years scientists have studied, identified, and captured certain genes that would cause harm to normal human development (Anonymous 2010). From the outside this concept is wonderful. The ability to discover the faulty genes that cause diseases, illnesses, and impairments and then remove them from the body is extraordinary. Seemingly invincible foes such as breast cancer and Alzheimer’s will be defeated and never appear again.
Genetic anomalies that follow families will be stopped during this generation. The future of health and wellbeing for humans definitely looks bright. Now for the downside which is gene patents and DNA ownership (Anonymous 2010). Think for one moment that a gene inside the human body that is common to everyone is now owned by a corporation or pharmaceutical company. These entities can patent cures and screenings that would cost large amounts of money. This is a form of involuntary slavery, as if slavery were ever voluntary, because future generations will not have a say in the matter. At the time of their birth these entities will already own a piece of them.
Patented genes are simply the beginning of dangers associated with technology. Could an entity which owns genes refuse treatment of that gene disorder if the proper payment is not given? This is simply one of many questions that are frightening. The following section reveals other disturbing situations and dangers of technology.
Concerns Becoming Dangers
Technology is simply a tool that is utilized by humanity for various reasons. The usage of technology by certain humans determines if it is good or a danger. This section focuses on technological concerns transforming into actual technological dangers. The specific example is tied to the military which always gives a sense of foreboding.
Technology, Robotics and Soldiers
Safety has already been discussed in this research paper in terms of helping good drivers become better drivers. In this section safety is referring to the lives of soldiers in the field helping to protect the United States from aggressive forces. There are some places were soldiers go which are more dangerous than others and the possibility of casualties is increased. In the past there was no choice but to send troops into those types of areas with the best strategy and weapons available hoping that the outcome would be less than catastrophic.
The types of research that the general public is aware of at this moment involved unmanned drones that can fly into enemy airspace and take out targets. The only causalities would be those of the enemy or so that is the assumption. Collateral damage is possible in any scenario no matter how well thought out and even with the help of machines. With that being said the next level of unmanned soldiering is the automated tank research (U.S. Department of Defense Information/FIND 2011).
It is as the name suggests a tank which does not hold any soldiers but rather is operated by an onboard computer. This would seem to be similar to war simulations with the weapon in the field and the soldier secure somewhere using arcade controls to fight the battle. With this idea of the new war there are a few concerns but the main two are: diminished fighting capacity in soldiers and hacking capabilities. Good soldiers are not born but bred through combat and exercising their skills. When this aspect is taken from them what do they have left.
On the other side of the coin no computer system is impenetrable. There is the chance that hackers could gain access to the system or someone on the inside could defect and then situation becomes really bad. As good as this concept sounds it moves from concern to potential danger.
Conclusion
Technology has been deemed both good and bad in this research paper. It is a very versatile tool that is molded by the hands of mankind. There have been examples for good such as teaching technologically advanced children to use ethics and morals to be a good citizen in this new technology world and medicine that is used to identify possible markers for mouth cancer.
The flipside is that technology can be used for bad a well such as mapping and patenting genes which can lead to treatment problems in the future. There are also situations such as the Internet being used as a medium to promote eating disorders and bullying which leads to the physiological and psychological trauma of the victim.
There is yet another side which involves concerns becoming dangers. Taking soldiers off the battlefield and replacing them with robots is a good idea from the surface. Beneath the surface there are very real dangers such as diminished combat ability and the possibility of hacking. The one concept that must be reiterated throughout this research paper is that technology is simply a tool, whatever it causes good or bad is the sole responsibility of the one using it.
References
Anonymous (2010, April 17). Science and Technology: More harm than good?; Genes
and patents. Retrieved May 23, 2013 from .
- What I like about this article is the statements it makes about how harmful technology could be and even science. It ensures me to think about what could happen. I do find it interesting that they feel as if technology was like an addiction. Like someone was addicted to some sort of drug.
Carlisle, A. (2013 February). “Wilson Middle School students taught to use technology