Technology: A Benefit or a Bane?
A major theme of this class (and a theme of our entire school!) has been the effect of technology on society. This theme has added urgency as we move into the Cold War era and the nuclear brinkmanship that marked that time, and still continues to mark our own, to a lesser degree.
In a lecture we looked at the following quote by Albert Einstein, a crucial figure in the development of the atomic bomb: "Technological progress is like an ax in the hands of a pathological criminal." Is that true? Is it so simple? Most Americans today believe unequivocally that technology is a good thing. Is this true? Is it so simple? Technology is never neutral in how it influences human society, and here is where we come to the crux of the issue.
Has technology helped or hindered our progress as a people in American history? Was Benjamin Franklin right in restlessly attempting to make life less painful and less difficult with inventions such as the Franklin stove, bifocals, and the lightning rod? Was he correct to focus on material improvement of himself and his community? (i.e. the Enlightenment.) Or was Thoreau correct in claiming that we Americans have become "the tools of our tools"? That we Americans are overworked, overfed, and overly concerned with material objects at the expense of our spiritual lives? (i.e. the Romantic) Do, indeed, the mass of Americans you know lead "lives of quiet desperation"? Or are we doing pretty well? What do you think?
With the immense technological breakthroughs of the last century, these questions acquire additional relevance. Public health and vaccines? Cloning? Stem cell testing? The mass media? Nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons? Terrorism? The destruction of the environment? Genetically modified organisms? Gene therapy and genetically enhanced human beings? How will all these dramatic new technologies impact human civilization? Will we soar to new heights? Or is the entire edifice of modern civilization unsustainable and moving towards disaster? Are we simply improving our society and moving forth into a more modern and improved world, as our ancestors have done before us? Or have we, in our arrogance and pride, erected a Tower of Babel which will come crashing down to the ground? Lost the wisdom of our traditions and our forefathers? (I know it sounds familiar!) Will humankind control its creations or be controlled by them? Is human freedom endangered by ascendant technologies? Will humanity ascend to new heights? Will life in the future be longer and happier than before because of technology? Or will it be the opposite? Why? EXPLAIN!
Perhaps this is all too much for one blogsite posting! Fair enough. Let us refine the question down: In your life as a high school student, does technology help to make you smarter, healthier, and happier? Able to connect better with the past, present, and future? Touch the hearts, minds, and souls of other human beings? Or does technology contribute to a sedentary lifestyle and poor health, waste your time on activities that ultimately do you no good, that in effect make you dumber, actually isolate you from other human beings - dragging you down in the end? Or is it a complex mix of ill and good? Why? EXPLAIN!
In your blogsite posting, please feel free to take these questions and answer them wherever they pique the interest. The door is open for you to comment on what interests you most. This posting offers you a great opportunity to tie themes and ideas together not only from this year but from all throughout your high school experience here at Foothill. I look forward very much to reading your responses.
Your blogsite posting is due Friday morning April 15, 2005 at 8:00 a.m.
posted by 515guyforlife at 4/12/2005 10:52:00 PM
5 Comments:
The last (I think) blogsite posting of the year, involving dilemmas and ideas we have talked about for hours and hours over many years... give it your best, please! Draw from all your experience, observations, and learning.
Like any major shift in society’s demographic, the integration of technology with the everyday lives of people all over the world carries both positive and negative repercussions. However, I feel that the benefits offered by technology far outweigh the detriments. Technology in education is especially wonderful, as multimedia can engage a student’s interest and put the “show” in show-and-tell. For a kinesthetic and visual learner like myself, being able to watch microscopic protists jetty around on a screen accompanied by interactive programs and advanced machinery far surpasses what I would learn by staring at motionless 2-D type. Also, the internet allows the entirety of humankind’s knowledge to be placed hovering at a student’s fingertips. Students learn more when there is more available to learn, and the internet provides the information. A student can research anything from the economic concerns of middle-class laborers during the 60’s to the composition of the mortar used to build the Great Wall of China.
Another reason that technology has benefited the world is in the speed and ease of communication. Whereas it used to take months for a letter to travel cross country, carried by complete strangers heading to who knows where, a person in Switzerland can instantly communicate with a person in New Zealand and then receive instant feedback. This speed is extremely important in the relaying of news stories and updates. Whereas people in Ohio used to be isolated from events in Morocco, now news can spread quickly and easily, increasing the speed of the response and magnitude of aid, if needed. An excellent example of this is the recent and tragic tsunami that decimated much of southern Asia. In a similar instance during the eruption of Krakatoa in August 1883, inability to communicate left millions of people unprepared for the watery slaughter that headed their way, as the tsunami generated by the blast swept away entire islands in its deadly wake. However, due to the presence of modern technology, scientists during the recent tsunami were able to predict the path of the wave, assess the danger, and instantly alert threatened cities. This saved many lives that would have been added to the death toll. In addition, the efficiency of the news networks and their influence on billions of people around the world resulted in an elephantine relief effort that drenched southern Asia with millions of dollars in aid. I myself participated in a worldwide online art auction whose proceeds were donated to the relief effort. Without television and internet news mediums, this relief effort may never have happened or at least reached this magnitude, as was the case with Krakatoa.
So technology has been a great attribute to our lives today. Even if it carries its internal evils, the bountiful benefits should take precedence over the negative.
I pretty much agree with what seems to be the overwhelming majority in that technology is not a "pure evil" force. I would characterize technology as the midrange between scientific knowledge, power, and art; all of which can be used to positive or negative results, especially since 'good' and 'bad'seem to depend largely on the individual ideology that ones perception of the world generally stems from.
With that philosphy in mind, my perception of the "art" issues (ie the claims that television and computer technology somehow "cheapen" our society) is disposed to strongly disbelieve complaints of this nature, primarily because of my own strong affiliation with technological medias such as television and video games. I question strongly why those who rail out against video games, television, and the internet as time wasters that bind youths to a shadowy hermitage inside don't have the same complaint about books and literature. After all, books were one of the first activities that bound people, who began calling them selves "scholars," "academics" or "scientists" or some such nonsense inside for the express purpose of staring at a processed piece of tree bark with little marks on it for hours on end. The same or a similar case that is made against the supposedly mind numbing effects of television or video games could be made just as effectively against books. Why, video games are charged with only induced a few murders in a Columbine High School; books and pamphlets, such as Karl Marx' "Communist Manefesto" have been the catalyst for WARS. The argument that the modern media is diverting people from doing things that are more important and rewarding essentially relies on a definition of "worthwhile behavior" that was standardized in the Enlightenment era centuries ago - one which was vigorously opposed in its own time as well. And when you get right down to it, is anything that human beings can do on Earth REALLY worthwhile? The question essentially goes back to the timeless quandry of what the meaning of existance is, which, many seem to believe, is to do the exact same thing that your parents and their parents parents before them found rewarding, instead of significantly changing anything in your cultural sphere. To do so implies "social degredation," which many believe is why the world is ALWAYS heading towards a cultural apocolypse of some sort or another.
As for the related argument that technology disparages the development of knowledge, I would like to cite the very existance of this blog as an indication to the contrary, along with something that I like to call "The Internet," which has the peculiar capacity to allow anyone in the world access to any information, literature, or scientific/philosophical discource in the civilized world through multiple languages, in a horrid spectacle of productivity that threatens to let people learn things faster, which would clearly foreshadow the earthrending collapse of all that is decent and good in society, ushering in an age of intellectual anarchy.
The argument that technology is detrimental to society because of it's power, however, strikes more of a chord with me. The possesion of power, almost by definition, entailes the capacity to be used for both constructive and destructive ends, and while I believe that it has transformed everyday life for the better in many ways, the pollution, massive consumption of resources, and constant demand for the "next big thing" that it introdoces into society and the world is, in my opinion, cause for extreme concern. I believe that this problem could be solved, or at least improved, with more regulation of the enviromental practices of businesses and with further research into more bio-freindly methods of assembly and use. While the constant demand for new goods is a distressing cultural phenomonon, it is, at least to some degree, necessisary to maintain a capitalist economy and to prevent the emergance of a general depression because of a lack of markets and market development, such as the infamous "Great Depression" of the 1930s...
Anyways, I've actually rambled on writing this blog for like an hour without realizing it, so I'm going to stop now before it gets as long or longer than Mr. Hollowed's piece, which, though interesting, is unfortunately likely to remain largely unread because of it's dismaying length... =D
-Adam
wow this is going to be a big rant...
Perhaps indeed this is too much for just a single bog site posting for we have written a few essays already regarding the influence of technology upon our daily lives, there are such vast fields pertaining the morals of humans relationships with computers, but I must answer as it is part of my grade to the best of my ability in this time given.
In my life as a high school student, technology plays one of the biggest roles when compared to my daily routine, sure I am somewhat of an artist and im somewhat of a writer, but I write and draw because I find inspiration, and inspiration surely comes from many forms of technology. Technology as entertainment perks my interest so that I may have something to do in my off time, perhaps I live only to meet the physical and mental norms of my social generation, but am I really a part of it… not really on some respects, but on others I fit right in, and by others I mean basically the journey to complete assignments so that parents don’t yell, and teachers don’t get mad, just so that I may once again plug into my computer and sit reclusively until I have to sleep or go to school. Does it make me as a person better, well I would think so because im the one being shut away and doing my own thing in the cyber world, but to my family they may think it’s a bad thing considering I’m locked away in my room, my point being I grow spiritually by many things I may witness on the Internet or on TV, but does that mean I prosper from it.. for instance, I can download Japanese anime that would take years to come out in the US on my brand new cable modem that is one of the fastest residential modems produced in Ventura (it maxes at 5.8 mbps… I dl anywhere from 700 kbps - 1.5 mbps depending on the upload source) , I watch it and from watching and experiencing entertainment (literature or film) I am inspired to think a certain way, and from what I see because of this I grow more as a person and more spiritually than I can whilst operating around normal humans, my opinion… but that is based on my personal dealings with humans, and my judgement comes as an equilibrium of the two in order to satisfy my needs as both a human, and a cybernetic leech. The idea is if I exist in both worlds ill be able to become centered on the best attributes of both, now it is far fetched but then again so is this rant.
Anyway more to the point Technology as far as games, Television, and other mindless forms of entertainment are considered by some to be a thorn in the side of the childs ability to grow up as a functioning human (physically… mentally… ) I argue that it is the actual ability of the child to test the boundries of his or her mind. Im an artist, yet I also play computer games, does that mean that whatever Inspiration I get from computer games is going to destroy my art? No it doesn’t, it just means I may be inspired by one way of thought. Computer games may take up time of my life I could spend fratranizing with human beings, but then again aren’t I enjoying myself with human beings, just human beings all over the globe? And the argument that computer games murder peoples health, are just bogus, in my opinion it is the fault those who complain about such things, when people think gamers they think Pizza Eating Coke Guzzling Obese Computer nerd, I myself may be a bit chubby but I can tell you that I have not drank a coke or any other carbonated sugary dring in a little over a year now… also I am active in kendo and I work out at the gym regularly, though I do eat pizza every now and then, I would much rather dig into sushi or something healthy and fresh, hell I haven’t eaten candy in months, and last time I touched fast food… cant even remember, so the point im trying to make out of this is, it’s the fault of those who cant maintain discipline over their own habits that have the most to loose from the technological entertainment industry.
The over all point im trying to make here is, its your life, you choose how to live it, if someone screams and throws a tantrum about how technology is murdering our world, let them they will be all the more ignorant for their rants. The flow of News, Entertainment, Thoughts, Standards of human beings, all of it just a click away on the internet, in a world where there is soo much possibility and not enough probability the limits are unknown, there are no cycles to human lives, there are no cycles to human existence, if one wants to seek guidance on any type of scale, they can do it, and by learning they can better themselves and the next generation of people to fall under this category..
Wow now that was a convoluted rant if I ever saw one…
Laters… ill probably add more when im more coherent
For me personally, technology has a large influence over everything I do. This influence has its bad points, but these are far out weighed by the positives. Even as I write this, I am using technology: my computer, the internet, a lamp, a cd player, headphones, and even the retainer I am wearing is a result of technology. So is it a bad thing that I use all of these technologies that make my life easier? Would it be better if I wrote by candlelight with pen made from feather dipped in my inkpot? I don’t believe so. None of these technological advantages are harmful to me in a way that will inhibit my intellectual integrity. If anything, these have assisted me in my understanding of the world around me. Some may argue that Foothill uses too much technology, and that the use of power point presentations is not as beneficial as taking notes from the book or a teacher lecture; that these power points leave students thinking in bullet form with no understanding of the deeper concepts. Nothing could be further than the truth. The advantage of having projectors in each classroom opens up a whole new medium to be used in educating students. How is it a bad thing that by using more modern techniques, the teacher can keep their students active in the learning process and keep their attention? Some may argue that technology is to blame for the students getting bored in the first place. I say wrong again. Teenagers are naturally more interested in the social aspects of school; their hormones speak for them. Technology cannot change what has always been true.
Another area where technology has positively influenced my life is communication. My dad travels a lot because of his job, and he is away from home more than he is here; advances like the cell phone and the internet help to ease how much we all miss him while he is gone. He can call everyday to check in on how we are all doing, and see if anything new has happened while he’s gone. We can email him pictures, and he can send us messages about what he’s doing, where he’s going. New advances in travel, like the airplane and automobile, also help to ensure his safety while traveling, and shorten the length of his trips.
Medical technology has also been a great benefit. Childhood vaccines, MRI scans, x-rays, anesthesia, and other such advances have led to the extended life expectancy to the mid-seventies. Also, living in the US is an advantage in itself because our country has enough wealth to invest in instilling these medical advantages- even making some of them required.
Military advances are where we start to see the negative side of technology. The development of accurate firearms, machine guns, the atomic bomb, the hydrogen bomb, and biological warfare all contribute to the more recent threat of massive destruction. The world has enough atomic and hydrogen bombs potentially to destroy the whole earth. How these are a positive influence, I have yet to find. However, I suppose it was inevitable with the natural human instinct to defend yourself. It is better that more than one nation be in possession of the weapons than just one to prevent one nation dominating over the whole world. I suppose these weapons are necessary in keeping the balance of power between the major world powers; the knowledge that if one were to attack, their whole country could be blown up.
So is the presence of a computer with internet access and a television with cable in every American home a bad thing? Is internet jargon an omen for the future of literature? Will reality television lead to the eventual intellectual downfall of the human race? I say no. Ours is a society based on superficiality and the need to be entertained by some sort of technology at all times. There is a fear of boredom, a fear of idleness. The “go-go-go” mentality of modern America pushes researchers and scientist to keep pumping more and more technology into our lives, and I am not going to try and stop them. Sure, we may not spend as much time as we should reading, and a little more intellectual stimulation wouldn’t hurt. But this does not in any way mean that we are any less capable of intellectual activity than if we had none of our technological benefits, we simply lack sufficient dedication and time in those areas. If you want to be successful in this economy, it is not understanding the symbolism in Bartleby that will get you there. Technology literacy is the future we are headed toward. It is unavoidable.
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