The Controversies of Technology

In this day and age, we are experiencing a rapid change in culture, education, personal interaction, and information flow. The Internet and the many new technologies associated with the World Wide Web are the primary cause for this transformation. The debatable question for this complex metamorphic process is quite simple: “Are these new technologies doing humanity good or bad?” In Digital Nation, a man named Marc Prensky, CEO and founder of Games2train, answers this question in a very logical and acceptable way. His words can be paraphrased as such: ‘like all other technological adjustments we have gone through, people will complain. In truth, there are skills and pieces of knowledge that we lose. But there are also many important things that we gain (1).’ There are pros and cons to this new technology that we have allowed into our lives and our society.

In terms of the benefits, technology allows us to rapidly obtain information as well as communicate with people from all around the glob without taking a step outside of our house. Due to technology, the world is becoming more and more globalized. The more these communicative technologies grow and expand, the more efficient and small the world becomes. Now that we have smartphones, one can reach out at any time of need to a loved one or the authorities. Instead of crossing the ocean via ship or plane, one can simply take the technological alternative: jump into the virtual realm and accept it as a less expensive, more convenient substitute. Socializing with people thousands of miles away whom you have never met in person has become a simple task. So much information is at the very tips of our fingers where before it was stored in the minds of men or leather bound volumes. The ability to find so much with such little effort seems such a great treasure until we examine the consequences such privileges have on our human minds.

With so much information so close at hand, society has become dependant on the new machines of this technological era. So many of these machines have become “necessary” for work, socializing, entertainment, etc. that we cannot escape. The majority of society cannot completely disconnect themselves from the digital realm without facing extreme anxiety. It encompasses, their life and work. It swallows society into a sea of information, flooding the brain and goading insanity and anxiety. As seen on Digital Nation, many people become addicted, whether through games or social networking, to this technology. One of the major problems deriving from these changes is that of becoming immersed the digital world and seemingly forgetting about the true physical realm. Those that are caught in this trap must be rehabilitated in camps or clinics much like those who fall prey to a drug addiction. There is a great potential for the endangerment of human health in this technology via addiction. Though, like most things, there is good in moderation.

In order to lead a healthy life while still incorporating the new technologies into one’s life, one must practice strict moderation. For most people, this isn’t an issue. For others, managing the time spent on such technologies is difficult. Regardless, with moderate use, the Internet and its luxuries are a great boon to humankind. We are now able to do certain calculations through computers that would be impossible by hand. We are now able to stand at the front of our academic areas while keeping in touch with the leaders of the field and their research regardless of where they are. Meetings from across the globe can convene in a virtual room over the Internet saving time and money. The convenience of technology in society and business is something that should be used, not lived. Once you begin over-immersing yourself in the virtual world and neglecting yourself in the physical, your life will decline.

Sources:

1. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view/

Time stamp: 1:20:35 for Prensky