Advancements in Technology Have Helped in Improving the Overall Function of Daily Life - Essay Example

Advancements in technology have helped in improving the overall function of daily life.  Simple innovations such as running water and electricity that were originally used for cooking and warmth, eventually lead to more complex advancements as motorized vehicles and telecommunications.  The more advanced society becomes the greater the risk associated with obtaining these groundbreaking innovations. 

This is the argument proposed by Neil Postman, an American author, and theorist.  In one of his lectures, he speaks of five things that are important to remember before congratulating the advancements within the technological age.  Postman describes the high cost that society pays by becoming modernists.  In his first theory, he mentions that for every good aspect that comes out of a recent invention there will always be a corresponding difficulty.  His second theory explains how innovation is never evenly distributed amongst the general population.  What might be an advantage to some becomes a serious disadvantage for others?  Portman’s third theory is based on the fact that technology, computer systems, in particular, value information rather than knowledge.  As such by becoming a society focused on the latest of digital devices, in turn, loses its personal value system.  The fourth theory is defined as the technology is an additive rather than ecological.  A computerized system does not compliment society but rather changes it into something else.  Postman concludes the lecture with his fifth theory, stating that inventions that were originally created in order to facilitate people’s lives, have somehow become looked upon as though they were created by God rather than manmade inventions.   Although Postman formulated his theories before the 21st century, his theories still very much apply in today’s society.  The case in point is the recent devastation seen in Japan. 

On March 10, 2011, a devastating earthquake followed by a Tsunami rippled through Japan, leaving behind mass destruction.  This natural disaster caused severe damage to the population, the surrounding cities, and the large energy plant causing a nuclear crisis. The earthquake that struck the northern region of Tokyo was the fifth largest since the 1900’s measuring a 9 on the “Richter Scale”. The quake was followed by 600 aftershocks.  In less than ten minutes after the quake hit, a Tsunami struck and destroyed most of the Northern coast of Japan.  A Tsunami is the Japanese word for “harbor waves” and is caused by disturbances in the earth.  Formation and cycle of completion of a Tsunami only take about twenty minutes to complete.  Due to its high speeds and velocity, it does not give much time for the general population to save themselves from this level of destruction.   Despite the measures put into place by Japan, the recent natural destruction left behind many casualties, injured, and lost property.