Technology - A Part Of Life

Technology has become a way of life. We use it in daily task accepting it as a simple part of life. Complex to simple, seldom to always the usage doesn’t matter until it is no longer available. Technology is in all things and the good is often forgotten in the comfort of always having it. The lost of electrical power eliminates the usage of many of our marvelous toys, gadgets, inventions and even life saving devices. While all of the technology is not power driven, a power outage creates a time for reflection on the pros and cons of Technology. Too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing. As I examine the impact of technology on the quality of life, the good the bad and the ugly are present. While technology may be good to have, the use of it, and the impact on the environment must be considered.

During the first week of class we viewed the video “The Gods Must be Crazy”. The simple coke bottle dropped form an airplane invaded the lives of the people and changes them forever. The initial impression of the bottle was a help source for various members of the tribe with their daily task. While life was simple and happy for them, this new tool, a new form of technology, brought creative solutions to completing task as well as conflict. What was a good thing quickly turned into a bad thing. Everyone wanted the one item that became the source of confusion and division among the family members.

Chapter 15 explored technology and who’s in charge of whom. Technology is a human creation designed to extend their natural abilities. It is always subject to human control. The belief that technology acts as an independent force in our lives is known as “technology determinism”. The influence of technology on our social, political, and economic relationships comes with a cost. Technology has presented valuable solutions to major issues from antibiotics to zippers. Technology has brought better opportunities as well as confusion and conflict to society. As we look to the management of technology we must look beyond other and self –assess what we are willing to give up for the modern comfort of today and examine the cost to the future state of our environment.