Technology's impact on society. Web site critique - Essay Example

Web Site Critique Web site: Technology's Impact on Society (http comm202.uscannenberg.org/project/webprojects/tech_impact/Index.htm) Site's Point of View PoV: The site wants to send a message that increasing use of technology is leading to erosion in societal values. The web site intends to generate a healthy debate about the uses and misuses of Technology. One school of thought says Increasing technological awareness amongst the people have made lives much more easier. Now we have computers and robots to assist us in almost every walk of life. We can interact with each other across long distances with just a couple of clicks of mouse. Technology has not only made this process much quicker, but in monetary terms also this has become much more convenient. This is an information age, and 'information' has become a very powerful tool in the hands of mankind. Now one looks on the net, for the latest scores of matches, weather conditions in another city/ country, to chat with our friends etc. One survey carried out by the web site points out that 52.8% people say, "I have used the Internet to make myself feel better when feeling sad, overwhelmed, or blue." The other school of thought says, technological advancements have made the society less considerate towards each other. The computer savvy human being is no more bothered about social obligations. The personalized touch is no more there in the human relationships. Emails have now replaced personal visits. One to one greetings on occasions like birthdays and anniversary's have almost become things of past now. Some surveys carried out by the web site also point out towards this phenomenon. For example, one survey points out that 71.3% people say that, "More than once I have missed a meal rather than interrupt my time on the Internet." that we used to pass on to another person Arguments for PoV: 1. Normal Human interaction has become very limited and therefore causing a dehumanization of society. 2. The emotional and intellectual attachment of kids with elders in the society is on the wane. 3. The health of new generation is getting affected as kids keep sitting in front of computers for hours together. 4. Now people are more engrossed in themselves as they can even do all there purchases online without taking help from their next door neighbor or other near and dear one's Strengths and weaknesses of the argument: Strengths of the Argument: Indeed today very little time is left at the disposal of someone having computer, cell phone and mp3. Interaction gets limited to answering emails, replying to messages or calling someone on the cellophane. Some more time is taken up for relaxing when we listen to 'soothing' music with our mp3 and earphones. Socializing is at bare minimum. Society is defined as the totality of social relationships among humans. But here one's society is his own-self. The only company that we prefer is that of computers and other technical gadgets. We are missing out on meeting new people, learning from our fellow peers' experiences and growing both emotionally and intellectually with the potential knowledge from our social interactions. With the advancements in technology, people are able to go weeks on end without ever having to leave their homes. Groceries can be bought online, as well as clothes, books, prescription medications, plane tickets, and cars. Even story times nearest libraries have been replaced by interactive storytelling web sites for kids. Children no longer have to sit around a circle with other children and listen to the story being told. As children get older, they learn to play online games, chat with friends and even do their homework, all on the Internet. Children are no longer interested in playing tag or jump-rope outside in the fresh air. Instead, they prefer sitting in front of the computer for hours on end. Many web searches on the Internet lead students to harmful web sites. According to Mariko Yamada, an executive director in clinical psychology, the curiosity that teenagers develop leads them to linger on to these web sites and get influenced by their negative content. It is argued that today instead of participating in class discussions or corporate meetings, America is occupied with text messaging, surfing the net, and entertaining themselves through some form of technology. Weaknesses of the argument: Going back to history when we remember the early and medieval era we notice how difficult it was for mankind to communicate with each other, travel longer distances, provide medical relief to the ill, and make arrangements for his clothing and meals. Rapid advancements in technology, thanks to the likes of Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Alva Edison, Reginald Fessenden etc. it became 'possible' to send across one's messages and talk to each other. Then came the computer era with the sale of first commercial computer, UNIVAC 1, to the US Census Bureau in 1951. Since then the technology has never looked back. The Internet has in fact given people the opportunity to research, e-mail, send instant messages, purchase goods online, etc. This fast and easy medium for communication has seemingly brought people closer, but in turn, it has also limited their ability to communicate. Alexander Graham Bell did not envision that his invention of the telephone would actually lead to people's inability to communicate in person. Technology has been incorporated into society as a personal convenience for people. It is upto the society to make judicious use of this technology. Because time is an issue for people in the fast paced world of today, the cellphones provide them mobility which has today become essential for most people's lives. Today we can meet friends online through chat rooms and keep in contact through email and telephone calls. People could sit inside their home at their computer and have the ability to talk to others, learn new information, listen to music, and examine pictures without ever interacting with others. Conclusion: The site makes good use of the space and comes out with good supporting examples in favor of the arguments. Some statistics, like survey results make the discussion more interesting. Web site makes it amply clear that technology needs be used judiciously for optimum benefit of human beings. For example a Nuclear reactor can produce many more Mega-Watts of electricity than the convention coal and thermal power station, but the same Nuclear Power reactor can be used to decimate the entire society. Read More