The Role of Computer Technology in the Human Race - Thesis Example

?Gaurav Sandhu Prof. Wolf English 101 November 8th, Computer Technology. THESIS MENT: The role of computer technology in the human race. INTRODUCTION The advent of computer technology has revolutionized the human society. From what it was beyond its advent, the society has completely transformed into a new version of itself. Computer technology has been a source of numerous changes that could not have been thought of before it. With the help of this new horizon man was able to compute large calculations and thus realize the meanings of the most of the data that was present around him. This ability to compute large amounts of data within very less time provided the basis of conducting analysis and comprehensive overall views of scenarios. Thus, computing assisted man immensely and was able to put to maximum use all the sources that were at hand to him. Literally speaking, Computer technology refers to the process of planning, constructing, designing and implementing a computer system. Since the basic meaning of ‘compute’ is calculate thus computing something was calculating it The History of computer technology can roughly be traced back to the year 1940 in which the first programmable computers were built for the very first time. The first computer ever built was the size of a typical modern bedroom and consumed power equivalent to that consumed by a couple hundred modern day computers. To give you the perception of the potential this computer was, think about the first generation IPhone. Yes, in fact the Phone was a significantly more powerful machine than the first “supercomputer”. Back In those days, institutions had to dedicate a special room just for the computer lab server. The Temperature had to be on point ever single minute of the day or else the computer lab would become over heated. 1971 saw the advent of the microprocessor. The size of computers reduced considerably with this invention. The first Intel microprocessor had the name Intel 4004 associated with it. The advent of microprocessors then paved a very rapid way to the Personal Computers, Laptops and then eventually the present day tablets. Computer technology has excelled manifolds in the past seventy years; think about all the different features available on a modern day computer; you can email, draw, chat instantly with other people around the world, watch movies, download and listen to music, create your own music, build your own computer, design blueprints of the worlds most sophisticated buildings, you can do practically anything you desire on a modern day computer. Technology incorporated in present day computer CPU’s, memory, hard drive space, etc. is multiplying year by year without us even acknowledging how it is benefiting us. Engineers are constantly striving to figure out how to improve battery life, power consumption, and even most importantly, cost. For example, the Apple Ipad is the most user friendly tablet in the market and also the most advance when it comes to the components inside, yet the cost is only a few hundred dollars. Since its initiation the technology of computing devices has been of assistance and productivity for man. Specifically it may be said that this technology accompanies unimaginable horizons of positive aspects within it most of which are yet to be discovered and explored. Everywhere around us we see innumerable advantages of computer technology. May it be education, health or everyday use computer technology has been beneficial for man by extensive means. Though the advent of computer technology in the present times has primarily been extremely beneficial for mankind it does accompany certain drawbacks as well. These drawbacks may become potential hazards if not addressed with timely and appropriate measures. This perfectly comes in line with that technology behaves like a ‘double edged sword’ (Kurzweil) and, C. P. Snow, who is a renowned English physicist and novelist, said that, “Technology…is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other.” Social Networking is a term that is very familiar within the modern human society and is one of the blessings the advancements of computer technology have resulted in. Social Networking is seen as a blessing by many but they seldom glance at the cons that it accompanies with it. The indulgence of the present generation into the realms of social networking throughout their day and night has bought stern transformations in the human society as a whole. Parents get to spend lesser time with their children and vice versa because each one of them are more concerned about the status updates of the members of their virtual families that exist online on the social networking websites. The hearts and minds of each individual are glued to their connections over the social network and they become addicted to them. They seldom remember anymore what their responsibilities towards their actual, physical personal life are what is the outcome of their current attachment to the virtual world. Studies reveal a very alarming fact: ADHD or The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder could emerge in children to access social networking website excessively. This is a very serious ailment that hinders the children from having real life in person conversations with another human being because parts of their brain have remained underused for long duration on time. (Alan Waldez) According to recent studies the average rate at which teenagers access social networking websites in a day is ‘Nine Hours per Day’ (National Schools Board Association). This leaves these youngsters with practically no time to spend with others in person. The advancements in the computing technology are very rapid and its rate of development is increasing manifolds with every passing unit time. It is because of this rapid rate of development in the computing technology sector that new devices outdate their earlier versions at a very rapid rate. Every newer model that emerges becomes the talk of the town and is envied by all those who do not possess it. This irrelevant trend of inclination towards every newer model often results in youngsters developing a sense of discrimination and deprivation if their monetary status does not permit them to instantly purchase the latest upgraded model. This can sometimes result in the lowering of self-esteem of such individuals. Ease of Access is often termed as an advantage of the computer technology however it has also shown to have unfavorable effects. Since computer technology has enabled the ease of many of man’s tasks it has also made man used to this ease. It has notably been observed that the encouraging factors of struggling and striving physically to get anything done has reduced considerably ever since computing machines have taken over. Finding the personal details of a person has no longer remained a cumbersome task ever since the advent and modernization of computer technology. This is dangerous to quite an extent since privacy of personal data is essential and should not be at the disposal of strangers who might attempt to misuse it. Computer technology is unexpected since it is concerned with a computing device that is yet again a mechanical piece of structure. Thus, a mechanical device may stop working at any time due to a physical/ mechanical fault. This becomes a problem especially for those who tend to earn a living using the computer technology as a means for it. People who have grown up in an age that was devoid of computers fear that the current generation might, someday completely loose the feeling of emotions and heart out of their everyday handling and educational and corporate procedures. Wehrle states "the pre-computer age generation envisions designing computer technologies that still take into account the emotional needs of the students" (qtd in Gulley) The introduction and use of computer technology in the educational sector is sometimes discouraged since it is said that by its use the teachers tend to forget the emotions of their students. The feeling of human support that exists as a result of the student teacher relationship often gets neglected if computer technology is excessively used. Education is essential element of every human being’s life. The study of the effect of computer technology on the human race would not be complete without the mentioning of what changes this technology has bought to the education sector. Summarizing, the domain of education has benefitted a lot with the progression of computer technology. The inclusion of computer technology in educational institutions implies that both teaching and learning have been assisted by its modern trends. The use of Power point presentations, interactive study software, online learning modules, e-study campuses and internet based data banks are just a few examples of the advancements in the education sector. These advancements address the problems that teachers cannot without the interference of computers. Assistance from computer technology has resulted in helping students raise the standardized test scores. The technology helps in assessing students via online and computer based exams as well that are in convenient formats and also have increased usability. The focus now shifts to future trends in computer technology. Today is a world of computer technology boom. Every individual possesses at least a smartphone or a PDA. Portable and efficient computing devices have become best companions of man. Ever since the usability standards of the computing machines has been enhanced in the recent decades these devices have become inevitable. They are rated as the best companions and they tirelessly assist us human beings in whatever way possible. The latest touch sensory enabled smart phones and biometric assessment measures are the newest additions to computer technology trends. The future of computer technology is at such a rapid growth that we might just see the first holographic computer in every household in the next five to six years, which is incredible. Schools and households will soon be using computer tablets instead of books or newspapers to help secure our green life. The proposed studies and computer technology based advancements suggest that there is such an expanded horizon of knowledge yet to be discovered that it seems that man has not even explored the tip of the computational and networking. It is expected that within very less time from now cloud computing would become obsolete paving way for Nano technology based cloud infrastructure and quantum computing. It is proposed that the newer computers would be based on atoms, fiber and light. Quantum Computers: The methods of ‘Quantum mechanical Phenomenon’ are applied in order to perform operation on data. DNA Computers: The double Helix structure of DNA is an immense source of knowledge and coded information. The genetic combinations embedded within each part of the helix are being worked upon though the logic behind them has not been unveiled as yet. The vast capacity of holding embedded data may be of unparalleled use to data storage for computing devices. Optical Computers: Crystals and Meta materials may be used to control the data processing within a computer. Electro Optical materials are being used to observe blue laser light, the use of which is proposed in the optical computing devices. A scientist working on it, Dr. Donald Frazier says: What we are accomplishing in the lab today will result in development of super-fast, super-miniaturized, super-lightweight and lower cost optical computing and optical communication devices and systems. (qtd in Future for All) Artificial Intelligence: Excellence in natural language processing is due to advancements in Nanotechnology and quantum computing. The better artificial intelligence the computer systems are embedded with, the finer would their usability be. Spray-on Nano Computers: University in Edinburgh is conducting a research whereby which ‘spray on Nano computers’ of the size of a sand grain are being made. When successful, it is intended that the Nano computers would be sprayed on the chest of a coronary heart patient. These cells would record a person’s health and would transmit information back to the hospital computer. This would enable the monitoring of heart patients even when they are living at home. CONCLUSION Conclusively, it may well be said that computer technology is the governing force behind the survival of man in the present world. Man’s dependence on it is expanding at a very rapid rate. It is being supported with subsequent polishing of the technology itself as well. WORKS CITED: Future for All. What are optical computers? Science@NASA. 2011. Web. 8th November 2011. < http://www.futureforall.org/computers/opticalcomputers.htm> Gulley, P.K. Pros and Cons of Computer Technology in the classroom. California State University, Sacramento. Spring 2003. Web. 8th November 2011. < https://www4.nau.edu/cee/jep/journals.aspx?id=90> Kay, A. n.d. Web. 8th November’ 2011 Lomas, N. Kurzweil: Technology is a double edged sword. 2008. Web. 8th November’2011 National School Boards’ Association. “Creating and connecting-Research guidelines on Online Social-and Educational-Networking”. 2007. Web. 8th November 2011.< http://www.citejournal.org/vol8/iss3/editorial/article2.cfm> S. P.,C. New York Times. 15 March 1971. Web. 8th November’ 2011 < http://www.physics.udel.edu/~watson/scen103/quotes.html  > Waldez, A. The Disadvantages of Modern Technology among the Youth. September 24, 2010. Web. 8th November 2011 Read More