New Technologies, New Dependencies - Literature review Example

New Technologies, New Dependencies Computers have changed the world altogether. There have been massive changesin the world that were brought about by the invention of the computer. There have been concerns and disagreements in contemporary societies regarding the use of technology which mainly focuses on computers. People hold various opinions about the benefits of computers along with the harmful effects that come with it. Research has shown that the use of computers in the twenty-first century has had a great impact on socio-economic development; therefore, many people have this device in their offices, homes and schools. According to Griffiths, computers have enhanced communication on a global spectrum; this has happened not only because of the improved functionality of different computers, but also due to social media tools that have transformed the world into a global village (Griffiths). The development of computers has led to an increasing human dependency on the micro-chip. People hold various opinions regarding the development of this device. Many of them feel that it is a great way and it has proven to benefit many people and has revolutionized the entire world. However, others hold opinions against this device and feel that human beings have shown too much dependency on the computer. Technology endeavors have led to increase in business returns, enhanced consumer relationships, and have raised the standards of competition to the benefit of the market and have highlighted the positivity of the computer device in this era (Lai). The history of computers goes back to the time when the Abacus was used in 300 BC used by the Babylonians. Initially, in the abacus pebbles were used for counting. The word “calculus” is a Latin word which means pebbles. Human beings were the initial computers so to speak. They would carry out tasks that now computers are programmed to do. Also the computer is developed in a similar way like the human being in which a hard drive, stores memory similar to the human brain, the Central Processing Unit plays the role of the human heart, making the machine work. Human beings wanted work to be done fast, without any chaos, in an organized and systematic manner. Inventors had been searching for a way to do work fast and flawlessly. This actually led to the invention of the computer, that is work is done in a mechanized way. In 1936, the first proper freely programmable computer was invented. It was invented by Konrad Zuse. Slowly and gradually computer production developed, and in 1953 IBM (International Business Machine) became the latest computer system. Since then, there is constant development and improvement in various computer systems, and scientists are more and more focused on trying to develop the most user-friendly device possible. In 1976 Steve Jobs set up his company with the name of Apple and stars to produce the first personal computer kits. Apple kept improving and bringing out better and more advanced and latest models of computers. For Apple, The new “in” thing that has now come into the market is the touch. IPhones, IPads and IPods are the latest gadgets produced. Then, in 1985, Microsoft Windows made its grand entry into the computer market and has made itself a huge name and earned a major chunk of the market share. By that time, a subtle competition began between the Apple and Microsoft who hold together most of the market share in today’s world. In the 1990’s, particularly from 1992-1998, real businesses experienced an increase on an average of 44% per year on computer prices. Computer companies would sell their hardware’s and software’s convincing buyer that this was the latest and most reliable parts that promised improved productivity (Whelan). Now coming to the question of why there is an argument between people who feel that computers are an advantage opposed to those who feel it is a nuisance. Well, people have made it into one because of too much dependency on the device. But is there any other option than to depend of this microchip? There have always been important differences between the way a computer and man “thinks”, but it is important to note that no matter how accurate, fast and reliable computers have become, there are certain things and activities that can only be carried out by human beings (McCartney, 17-24). Now, it is more like we are “living in a dictatorship in which people cannot exercise free will to disengage” (London, 31) and it is true. People are so dependent in today’s age that they find themselves difficult to exclude themselves from the computer dependency. London cleverly points out that everyone is relying on computers, including the military, but what people fail to realize is the fact that computer viruses can just completely cripple the system and can lead to an “invulnerable hegemon” (London, 32). Businessmen at times suffer loses, customer-care personnel fail to satisfy disgruntled clients who have complaints or problems which cannot be catered to for the time being because the computer system is down, or the system has crashed or the system is unavailable. Earlier on, when things were manual customers were not met with such excuses and answers to their problems, but processes took more time to be carried out. “These computer programs and the computers themselves are wonderful tools, but don’t use them blindly” (Humphreys, 13). It is true, computers have revolutionized life altogether but we cannot afford to trust them blindly. No matter how good and dependent your system is, it can always crash or get a bug in it and can become a huge obstacle in your work or routine. If you have a back-up, you are lucky; however, even that creates somewhat complications and problems for the user. Too much dependence on these systems can cause a great trouble for people. A disadvantage and, on the same hand, an advantage of computer is that cyberspace does not lie within your borders. Now the disadvantage being that sitting within your national borders, you can easily access enemy land and keep an eye on their activities and doings. Whereas the advantage is that people all across the world can communicate and become friends. Software, like Skype and Facebook, has made communication so simple without taking the physical distance into account. It is cheap, effective and a reliable means of communication. Earlier on, where people had to spend hours in the library to search for information, now they can easily do it with just a click of a button. The internet is filled with loads of information on everything. It is absolutely remarkable how the internet is up-to-date with all sorts of information at every single second. However, this benefit can be misused by employees in companies. Research has proven that computers positively, as well as adversely, affects the development of children and expand their opportunities of learning. One of the most significant negative effects is that there is so much information available on the internet that, at times, children are exposed to material that is not suitable for their age. This leaves a damaging impact on the children’s personality. Parents need to keep a close eye and monitor their children’s activities. Along with that other issues that computers bring with them are eye strains, obesity, insensitivity to others and obesity along with back problems. People can spend hours in front of the computer and stay glued to the screens which can develop into health and behavior problems. Besides just the computer, the Social Media Network also has played a great role in bringing together people who are dissatisfied and are fighting to achieve a cause as we saw lately in the Middle East and Egypt. Whether people agree with it or not, computers are changing the world; “while change is challenging, it is also exciting” (Moncrief, 332). Computers have played a great part in organizing market forces and businesses. They have led to higher sales and increase in business revenues. Along with that it has made systems more reliable. Dependence on computers will keep increasing because the average human brain is not capable enough of processing the vast amounts of information needed in this global age, and the dependency on computers will, therefore, keep rising. For example, ten years back none of the manufactured television sets had any processing capacity in it, whereas today all the technical parts of a television, like LCD, Plasma and LED, use processing chips in their hardware to function. The same thing is also true for cell phones. As time passes, the dependency on the usage of smart phones is increasing worldwide. Considering the future, something certainly thought-provoking is to predict new technologies that come our way at increasing rate, as well as the ways they might affect humanity. Works Cited Griffiths, M. Internet help and therapy for addictive behavior. (Report). 2009. Web. 18th Feb 2011. Humphreys, Kenneth K. Don't Depend Upon Computers. Cost Engineering 44.1 (2002): 13. Business Source Complete. Web. 19 Jan. 2012. Lai, Cheng-Chieh. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer Technology in Second Language Acquisition. . n.d. Web. 18th Feb 2011. Tech addiction. Internet addiction Statistics- Facts figures and numbers. Web. 18th Feb. 2011. London, Herbert. You Can't, The Computer's Down' Hiccups In High-Tech. Education Digest 66.1 (2000): 31. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Jan. 2012 Marketing Intelligence & Planning. Bradford, England: MCB University Press, 1983. Internet resource. McCartney, Gerard. Some Considerations Concerning Computers. The Maynooth Review / Revieu? Mha? Nuad. 8: 17-24. 1983. Print. Whelan, K. Computers, Obsolescence, and Productivity. Washington, D.C: Divisions of Research & Statistics and Monetary Affairs, Federal Reserve Board, 2000. Print. Read More