The Pros & Cons of Technology

One can argue that mankind would be nothing without the advancement of technology. Technology has affected everything in society and in our everyday lives, from medicine to finance to transportation. Because of technology, human beings live longer, are more productive and intelligent, have more financial opportunities, and arguably overall better lives. Nevertheless, along with everything in else in this world, there are both positives and negatives about technology.

There are countless positives about the technology that has overwhelmingly become an integrate part of our lives. For one, technology like the Internet has allowed humanity to learn faster, connect with others from around the world (i.e. family), and has allowed for a more open and diverse global community (Pew Research Center). For example, in 2015, Pew Research Center claims that the Internet has had a positive impact on education, economics and politics in developing nations, like in Asia and Africa (Pew Research Center). The Internet, in these nations, has allowed for a cheaper, more interactive and more accessible way to learn, do business and participate in political discussion.

Technology has also transformed industries like health care. With technology, we can better diagnose disease, perform dangerous and tedious surgeries with precision, and the global average lifespan is increasing. The Institute for Faith, Work and Economics cites IBM’s Watson technology and how it can learn to diagnose diseases like cancer from looking at medical scans; technology like this may decrease health care costs and medical errors, and comparatively increase the survival rates among patients (TIFWE).

Although there are many positives that technology has on our lives, there are also many negatives. For instance, some researchers have claimed that technology like cell phones, social media and the Internet has created a less moral and less connected world. A decade ago, most children and teenagers didn’t have access to cell phones and laptops; however, today, it is not uncommon to see a ten-year-old typing away on an iPad or iPhone. Per statistics, approximately 75% of teenagers have social media like Instagram and Snapchat (Ramasubbu).

Although social media can allow for increased connectivity with friends and family, researchers have claimed that social media has caused younger people, as well adults, to become less socially adept (Ramasubbu). Also, many social scientists have cited the vulnerability of adolescents and teenagers on social media; social media can lead these young people vulnerable to cyber bullying, sexting, internet addiction, and diseases like depression and/or obesity (Ramasubbu).

Other technology advancements, like in transportation, also have potential negative impacts on society. For example, some car companies, like Tesla Motors, have developed “autopilot” capabilities in their cars (Taud). Autopilot in cars can provide drivers with a more productive commute; however, this technology is not perfect and can cause fatal errors. Per New York Times reports, NASA and various other technology industry leaders have spoken against auto-pilot use in automobiles; there have been deaths due to autopilot crashes in Tesla cars, and experts say there are far more risks than rewards with the use of autopilot (Taud).

Some technology experts have also stated that autopilot in other transportation industries, like in the commercial airline industry, have created less skilled operators. Pilots rely on autopilot to operate their planes, and although disaster is infrequent, many pilots are not prepared to react to disasters that autopilot cannot fix (Taud). According to experts, Autopilot has “dulled” the dexterity of airline pilots over the years, and this can have fatal consequences as this technology develops and becomes more automated (Taud).

As we can see, technology has had both a positive and negative impact on society. Technology has advanced healthcare and has created a more open and connected planet. On the contrary, technology has also created some more dangerous and unhealthy conditions for human beings, such as the risk of relying on technology for our safety, and an increase of disease like obesity and/or internet addiction in children due to video games and lack of going outside. Technology is crucial for the livelihood of mankind; however, if we don’t use technology in a responsible manner, we will face very big consequences.

Resources:

TIFWE. “The Positive Impact of Technological Advances.” Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, 18 July 2016, tifwe.org/technological-advances/.

Pew Global. “Internet Seen as Positive Influence on Education but Negative on Morality in Emerging and Developing Nations.” Pew Global, 2015, http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/03/19/internet-seen-as-positive-influence-on-education-but-negative-influence-on-morality-in-emerging-and-developing-nations/

Ramasubbu, S. “Influence of Social Media on Teenagers.” Huffington Post, 2015, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/suren-ramasubbu/influence-of-social-media-on-teenagers_b_7427740.html

Taud, E. “Can Tesla’s Autopilot Be Trusted? Not Always.” NY Times, 2015, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/24/automobiles/autoreviews/can-teslas-autopilot-be-trusted-not-always.html