Our reliance on technology - Opinion Piece 2
In the recent years computers have advanced an incredible
amount since their conception. Nowadays computers can complete many different
tasks, meaning we now rely on them to do almost everything for us.
While we have learned to rely more on this technology, it has also helped us to advance in many different fields. As an example, according to an article by Nick Ismail in Information Age, “for companies, progress is saving in time and therefore in money. Exchanges are faster especially with the internet. Sales and purchases are now facilitated and possible worldwide.” It isn’t only the business field where technology has helped us advance. The scientific and medical fields have also improved greatly thanks to our modern technology. For instance, the internet has now become most peoples’ go-to place to access medical information of all types. An advocate of this, Alyson Krueger, says that “It goes without saying that more and more people are using the Internet to research their medical issues. This means not only looking up symptoms but exploring treatments and medicines on the web.” Even without having professional training, people can still receive enough information to understand an advanced concept to a certain degree.
Not everything about our use of computers is necessarily good, as there are some more negative aspects to relying on them so heavily. To once again quote Nick Ismail’s article, “Man no longer needs to think. Even if the calculator is a good invention, man no longer makes mental calculation and no longer works his memory. The decline of human capital implies an increase in unemployment. In some areas, devices can replace the human mind.” This is certainly something that can’t be ignored, as oftentimes it does seem like we depend on machines to complete a large manner of tasks for us. However, the different ways we use technology make it more like a tool, as opposed to something we simply use for leisure. Most people still have some form of human interaction within their everyday lives, which boosts their social interacting skills. It helps that much of our technology takes advantage of these skills to help us interact with the people we care about in new and more convenient ways.
While there certainly are concerns with our increasing reliance on electronics, the benefits of modern technology outweigh the negatives. Used properly, it has the potential to alter our ways of living for the better. Increasing efficiency and productivity in the work place, reducing the time of information transfer, and connecting more people across the world are just a few of the aspects of the use of modern technology that we can all appreciate.
While we have learned to rely more on this technology, it has also helped us to advance in many different fields. As an example, according to an article by Nick Ismail in Information Age, “for companies, progress is saving in time and therefore in money. Exchanges are faster especially with the internet. Sales and purchases are now facilitated and possible worldwide.” It isn’t only the business field where technology has helped us advance. The scientific and medical fields have also improved greatly thanks to our modern technology. For instance, the internet has now become most peoples’ go-to place to access medical information of all types. An advocate of this, Alyson Krueger, says that “It goes without saying that more and more people are using the Internet to research their medical issues. This means not only looking up symptoms but exploring treatments and medicines on the web.” Even without having professional training, people can still receive enough information to understand an advanced concept to a certain degree.
Not everything about our use of computers is necessarily good, as there are some more negative aspects to relying on them so heavily. To once again quote Nick Ismail’s article, “Man no longer needs to think. Even if the calculator is a good invention, man no longer makes mental calculation and no longer works his memory. The decline of human capital implies an increase in unemployment. In some areas, devices can replace the human mind.” This is certainly something that can’t be ignored, as oftentimes it does seem like we depend on machines to complete a large manner of tasks for us. However, the different ways we use technology make it more like a tool, as opposed to something we simply use for leisure. Most people still have some form of human interaction within their everyday lives, which boosts their social interacting skills. It helps that much of our technology takes advantage of these skills to help us interact with the people we care about in new and more convenient ways.
While there certainly are concerns with our increasing reliance on electronics, the benefits of modern technology outweigh the negatives. Used properly, it has the potential to alter our ways of living for the better. Increasing efficiency and productivity in the work place, reducing the time of information transfer, and connecting more people across the world are just a few of the aspects of the use of modern technology that we can all appreciate.
Krueger
A. (2010). 6 ways technology is improving healthcare. Business Insider. Retrieved
from: http://www.businessinsider.com/6-ways-technology-is-improving-healthcare-2010-12
Ismail N. (2017). Modern technology: advantages and
disadvantages. Information Age. Retrieved from: http://www.information-age.com/modern-technology-advantages-disadvantages-123465637/
McNeely B. Using
Technology as a Learning Tool, Not Just the Cool New Thing. Educause. Retrieved
from: https://www.educause.edu/research-and-publications/books/educating-net-generation/using-technology-learning-tool-not-just-cool-new-thing
Well said. I agree with you in that the pros outweigh the cons in regards to our reliance on technology. I think as long as it's being used in a helpful, beneficial way, technology can impact the world and society in many positive ways.
ReplyDeleteReliance on technology.. its like our grade relies on posting on blogs or something.
ReplyDelete