Human Evolution and Technology - Report Example

Human Evolution and Technology Technology and human evolution find much of a connection in the present world scenario in comparison withthe past scenario. Humans in the present time are growing smarter and efficient with the effective utilization of technology. For instance, if technology advancement records of the past few decades are taken into consideration, it can be observed that with time, the dependency of human beings on technology has significantly increased. If seen from a creative perspective, the concept of technology came into existence since the time of early human being evolution as a result of the imagination and need for human survival. At the same time, the use of technology brings about certain pros and cons entirely depending on its usage. In other words, it can be stated that this report will remain focused in terms of evaluating the impact of technology in the revolution as well as the evolution of the human species. 2. Overview and Definition The article titled ‘Will we one day find technology on our family tree’ by J. Scott Orr in the Forum 6- Human Evolution and Technology provides a reflection of both the bright side as well as the dark side of technological implementation within the lives of the human beings. Evolutionary reports describe the unsatisfactory nature of the human beings in terms of facing challenges. Human beings always have the curiosity of moving forward in terms of achieving new technological advancement depending on the challenges being faced. Taking into consideration the brighter side of the technological development, it can be stated that the use of technology has simplified the complex tangles within the lives of every human beings (Orr, 2008). Possibility in terms of accomplishing impossible tasks can now be attained through the implementation of advanced technologies. However, as far the dark side is concerned, technology has subsequently enhanced the comfort zone for humans making them more un-effective and lazy. For instance, people in the present generation often use calculators for accomplishing complex calculations rather than using their own brain for coming out with the solutions (Orr, 2008). 3. Values Emphasized and Values Compromised In a way, it can be stated that the implementation of technology within human beings is only with intent of drawing comfort and benefits. As discussed above, technology simplifies the complexities within human lives. In this regard, one popular example is the implementation of robotic technology and tools, by multiple automobile manufacturers with the prime intention of attaining benefits in terms of speeding up production, ensuring effective raw material utilization and minimizing the chances of error. Moreover, present day automobile manufacturers also implement technology gadgets within the car models in order to provide the customers better driving experience. In accordance with the article provided by Orr (2008), the implementation of technology in the areas of genetic and biotic development has subsequently helped in coming up with cures for multiple life threatening diseases as well. These aspects reflect the bright side of technology (Orr, 2008). It can also be stated that, innovative expectation has subsequently increased the dependency factor of humans on technology. In general sense, the accomplishment of every single task in the current world scenario might appear to be complex without the implementation of technology within it. Technology has a substantial contribution in terms of decreasing the physical working capabilities of the human beings. As per Orr (2008), humans of the technological age outsource significant amount of workload to technology based system and thus in turn deplete the employment opportunities for upcoming generations. However, multiple other critiques within the provided article have also quoted regarding the capability of the human beings to cover up the remedial effects of technology by the beneficial aspects of technology (Orr, 2008). 4. Arguments For Taking into consideration the article, multiple arguments can be made in the context of the implementation of technology within the lives of human beings. Correspondingly, three such arguments related to the use of technology for human evolution have been evaluated below: Technology Reduces Human Mental Capacity or Not? (Argument 1) Taking certain factors into consideration regarding the excessive usage of technology by students in the area of education, it can be stated that technology has contributed in terms of reducing the mental and evaluative capabilities of the human beings. Students of the present generation excessively rely on the electronic gadgets and the internet in terms of coming up with the answers of almost every possible question. This results in decreasing their interest level of going to the college libraries and performing some book reading efforts, which in turn has subsequently reduced their self-knowledge regarding the facts of external world (Roco & Bainbridge, 2013). Technology Reduces Social Interaction (Argument 2) Multiple positive facts in favor of this argument can be found by taking into consideration the tendency of young generation towards the utilization of social media. Youth of the present generation rely much on interacting through virtual online media rather than physical interaction with individuals. As a result, the interaction process gets confined to the usage of technology based gadgets and online tools such as laptops, Facebook and Twitter among others (Hendricks, 2014). Technology Has Encouraged The Scope Of Online Crimes (Argument 3) This can be considered as the most crucial argument in the context of the implementation of technology which seems to have attained high preference in the present day scenario. Multiple cases of crime through the usage of social media are continuously emerging. Apart from just the social media, cases of online thievery and fraudulences have also emerged within the past few decades due to the digitization of a majority of the work processes (Brewster, 2014). 5. Arguments Against The arguments against the above mentioned notions have been provided hereunder: Against Argument 1 The comments in favor of the arguments can be considered to be valid. However, if the above mentioned arguments are seen from a scientific perspective, it can be stated that an incapable mind cannot come out with a technological advancement or even use it appropriately. One contradictory comment in this regard, can be made that with the improvisation in the technology, the complexities within the educational areas have subsequently increased as well. Thus, the electronic calculation based gadgets are just like a support to the students in terms of performing quick calculation along with effectively managing their time for carrying out other tasks. Additionally, online gadgets also act like an easy source of information which can be accessed from any part of the world rather than remaining solely confined to libraries (Roco & Bainbridge, 2013). Against Argument 2 To a certain extent, the fact can be accepted that online technologies such as social media does reduce the physical interaction of individuals but on the contrary, it also provides the users with the chance of staying connected to their loved ones all the time. People using social media for communication always stay connected with their friends and relatives throughout the globe. Several business organizations get in touch with their customers through the utilization of social media sites effectively (Hendricks, 2014). Against Argument 3 In contradiction to the third above mentioned argument, it can be stated that technology has both negative as well as positive impact depending on its usage. It has given equal chance to the law abiding bodies and the common people of safeguarding themselves from being the victims of technological abuse. The functionalities of the law enforcement bodies have gradually fastened up with the implementation of technology in terms of effective and continuous connectivity between them (Brewster, 2014). 6. Validity of the Arguments Taking into consideration the above facts, it can be stated that the comments made against the notion find much more creditability than the comments which are made in favor of the arguments. This is mostly due to the fact that the pace in the advancement within technology and human evolution cannot be slowed down by thinking of the negative consequences. Rather steps are needed to be taken for minimizing the level of negative consequences in the coming phase (Karle, 2013). 7. Personal Position and Rationale Although if the negative consequences of technological advancement is a vital matter to be considered but still I would look forward towards holding my position in favor of technological advancement and human evolution. This is due to the fact, that technology and innovation has played a significant role in the area of human evolution and is even ought to play a further imperative role in the coming years. Technology has given mankind a completely new dimension to grow and safeguard itself and thus appropriate steps are needed to be taken for cherishing this concept rather than criticizing it. Bibliography Brewster, T. (2014). Is the global cost of cybercrime really £266bn a year? No, it isn’t. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/09/global-cost-of-cybercrime-266bn Hendricks, D. (2014). 3 ways social media is driving a business revolution. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/drewhendricks/2014/02/25/3-ways-social-media-is-driving-a-business-revolution/ Karle, J. (2013). The role of science and technology in future design. Retrieved from http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/themes/chemistry/karle/ Orr, S. J. (2008). Human evolution and technology. Forum 6, 27-29. Roco, M. C., & Bainbridge, W. S. (2013). The new world of discovery, invention, and innovation: convergence of knowledge, technology, and society. J Nanopart Res, 15, 2-17. Read More