Negative Impact of Technology - Book Report/Review Example

 Negative Impact of Technology Part A Cowan’s review As Ruth Cowan, I agree with the verity that despite the fact that human beings are confident that technology has numerous benefits to the society, the entire process is negative in a myriad of ways. As Tenner puts it, technology simply replaces the existent problems in the society with novel problems (357). Just like he gives examples in technology applied in the field of medicine, environment, office and in sports, the same would be likened to my example of the microwave. In the same way, I am of the opinion that the introduction of the microwave does not sort out the problem of women in the homes, and creates more work for them, the same case Tenner indicates that human beings suffer more consequences in an attempt to revenge, by devising more technological advances (114, 8). In the work of Tenner, he gives an example of how a computerized office would be more costly as opposed to a non-digitalized one (215). In as much the management would be aiming at increasing efficiency in the workplace, the management may be required to hire more specialists to maintain the new software and hardware introduced by technology (217, 266). Conclusively, Tenner and I are in the same school of thought that argues that an introduction of new aspects requires that individuals be tutored on how to deal with the new technology. This means that a lot of energy will be used to bring an entire system back to normal, as new persons are forced to adjust to the novel technology in the system. Tenner’s review As Cowan disputes, technology has not made work easier for women, but has actually reduced them to inventors of new solutions, I agree with her sentiments (52). As she complains about the women suffering negative consequences as a result of technology, I complain and share the opinion of sportsmen, office managers, medical practitioners, environmental resource managers that touches on pests, animal and plant introduction into the ecosystem. From an analysis of Cowan’s work, an intensification of technology into the society results to more problems for the users of the technological ‘products’ (237). Cowan indicates that women have been forced to work more as opposed to the times when they operated without machines like microwaves (4). Additionally from Cowan’s work, I am justified to argue that technology creates more persistent problems that require human beings to reinvent solutions to the chronic problems. As Cowan believes life gets worse by the day, I agree with her argument (13). Though the lives that individuals lead in the contemporary world is seemingly better, the real picture displays a long trouble- full life. Clearly, from the response of the microwave, technology creates damping effects, especially with the response of the same by the environment. As the title of the Cowan’s work suggests, the American housewives, especially of the middle class are not happy as a result of the industrialization process (7). As seen in the 1900s, the American woman would carry out house chores and have a job as well, whilst in the industrialization era, fathers have less work, leaving a great percentage to the mothers (Cowan 63, 215 ). Cowan clearly brings out this fact by equating the Open hearth to the microwave (54-6) , just like I would equate the digitalized office to the ‘archaic office’ that run well as an office would be required to run and perform. Part B As seen in the work of both Tenner and Cowan, new technologies have unplanned for consequences. From Cowan’s work, it was believed that coming up with the microwave would make the lives of American mothers easier, but that is not the case. The American mothers are forced to work twice as much as when they used the open hearth. The same case applies for Tenner’s work that clearly brings out the challenges faced in the different sectors of the economy as a result of technology, for instance in sports, office, plant and animal ecosystems amongst others. These difficulties mostly arise from the fact that there is need for more education on the use, application and maintenance of the new technologies, which consumes a considerable amount of time by the users. In this case, I believe that some technologies, without doubt, bring with them consequences we can neither predict nor avert, for instance the microwave. An application of the inevitability of technology effects on nuclear energy, genetic engineering, or computer technology on the society means that the society will pay a great mile, as soon as they welcome this technology. The effects have a high probability of causing adverse effects like the technology forms in Tenner and Cowan’s work. Computer engineering would probably lead to individuals being dependent on computers for data storage, entertainment, and communication, amongst others (Manion & Evan 181). In this instance, individuals will be more dependent on the machine, creating a less intelligent society, which can hardly function manually. Nuclear engineering would, on the other hand, create chances of devising numerous treatment options like x-rays, scanning, that would cause cancer to many patients, though at first the technology was seen to minimize sicknesses (Manion & Evan 43).Nuclear fissions would also cause death of numerous persons, as a result of the chemical reactors (Manion & Evan 43). Lastly, genetically engineered products- genetically manufactured animals that cannot survive for long as the natural humans and genetic foods that end up being cancerous are not long lived (Manion & Evan 186). Consequently, genes can be termed as powerful, and automatically jeopardize the health of humans. Part C Technology has both positive and negative implications on humanity. As seen in the work of Butte Patil, technological advancements have led to the use of technology in various aspects of life such as in healthcare, schools, communication, which allows for time and energy saving (3). The ‘great gift’ as Butte Patil puts it, has led to improvements in industrial production, ultimately creating a safer environment (3). With growth in every sector of the economy being noted over the years- for instance in astronomy, communication, architecture- humans are enjoying the benefits of improved systems. On a sad note, Butte Patil indicates that the society is slowly becoming dependent on technology (4). Individuals have been seen to be frustrated in an event that they cannot use technology as they are used to. Butte Patil gives an example of individuals despairing in the event that they cannot access their e-mails or even chat online (4). It can arguably be indicated to say that humanity acquires technology for the wrong reasons (4). Technology has also led to weapon engineering that has ultimately led to massive loss of lives in the society (Butte Patil 4). It is evident that technology causes society proportions, as men have started thinking like computers (Butte Patil 4). Butte Patil argues that humans have become robots, what he terms as artificial intelligence, and the internet reducing humans to slaves of the technology (5). Conclusively, with technology overcoming obstacles of time and space, humanity is slowly being reduced to lees human and more of robots. Works cited Butte Patil, Pratik. Technological Advancements and Its Impact on Humanity. Web. Available at: http://www.academia.edu/346486/Technological_Advancements_and_Its_Impact_on_Humanity. Accessed on 8th February, 2013. Cowan, Ruth. More work for mother: The ironies of household technology from the open hearth to the microwave. NY: Basic Books, 1983. Print. Manion, Mark. & Evan, William. Minding the Machines: Preventing Technological Disasters. NY: Prentice Hall Professional, 2002. Print. Tenner, Edward. Why things bite back: technology and the revenge of unintended consequences. NY: Vintage Books, 1997. Print. Read More