Significance of Technology in the Future - Essay Example

Significance of Technology in the Future In her key address, Angela Saini highlighted technology as an important tool in society. Technology is becoming the daily reality that society has to embrace. Contrary to the time when technology faced resistance in society because of associated fears, it has proved to be the most reliable solution to most of the issues challenging humankind today. As expected, there is the dark side of technology that causes many to feel that through technology, humans are engineering destruction. However, research into the issue highlights some of the realities about the effects of technology. This paper will explore the issue in depth and highlight the application of technology to ceramic design. Technology in Different Sectors After the Second World War, the globe experienced a social and economic recession that instilled hopelessness in majority of them. However, modernism emerged, promising to present the glob with hope despite the hardships. The ideologies that defined modernism seemed to be promising a palpable pattern of social responsibility. In the opinion of many, modernism had the capacity to induce change in the living conditions of the people. Therefore, embracing modernism translated to changes in different sectors. In the years that followed, the globe saw technological innovations in agriculture, economy, medicine, and media. In agriculture, technology has registered numerous changes. High levels of mechanization have increased the rates of production in agriculture. As expected, mechanization and forms of technology in agriculture have served to provide enough for the growing population. Sadly though, there are two sides of the inside story (Lee, 2008:61). Whereas some nations have more than they need, the developing world has to rely on support from the developed world. Reports indicate that Europe and America waste food products that could suffice to feed the entire developing world. While some wastage occurs unavoidably during production, a high percentage of wasted agricultural products occur deliberately accounting for about 60 %. The current trends in agricultural production reveal that the developing world only gets wealthier while third world countries remain in ardent poverty. In order to address the challenges of some nations, biotechnology seemed to provide a solution through the development of genetically modified organisms. At first, this technology presented a viable solution to pests, diseases and unfavorable climatic conditions because genetic engineering provided crops with the capacity to withstand all these. However, safety and ethical concerns facing GMOs are making the globe cautious about their adoption (Žel, J., et al., 2011:3). Although Saini exhibited a strong conviction that technology had the capacity to provide viable solutions to global challenges, the controversy surrounding genetically modified organisms highlights new realities. There is evidence that biotechnology can serve to increase production in different parts of the globe. The fact that its application has stretched to animals only portrays its potential in solving agricultural problems. However, this will only happen after scientists provide evidence that can suffice to refute the claims posed by the conservative group. Although some of the criticisms of genetically modified organism have a substantial basis, it is critical to readjust the perspective of examining the issues (Lee, 2008:61). If the conservative group shifted its attention towards identification of solutions to the toxicity concerns, gene transfer and other issues surrounding GMOs, then biotechnology would have a future in society. Shunning all the possibilities it presents will be unrealistic. Evidently, there is need for creating awareness concerning the potentials of biotechnology and presenting people with realistic information about genetically modified organisms (Žel, J., et al., 2011:38). So far, embracing genetically modified organisms has remained an independent choice for each nation to consider. Moving on to a different sector, technology has connected the entire globe making it function like an interconnected global village. The 20th century presented multiple innovations and technological discoveries that have altered the entire perspective of communication. The invention of the technology of the airplane has enabled individuals travel worldwide with much ease (Artz, & Kamalipour, 2007:21). There is a new realm of network connections bringing convenience and ease of communication. The vast connection has increased the speed with which communication occurs. Technology has made the internet accessible to people from different regions. Since the cost of accessing the internet has become lower with the introduction of mobile phone connections. Moreover, optic fibers are available in different regions of the globe, easing internet connection (Artz, & Kamalipour, 2007:23). Technological advancements in the use of the internet have diversified business transactions. Shopping online is a reality to many potential buyers and sellers. Online marketing and shopping has transformed market trends for many organizations. However, organizations that choose to take their businesses online have to adopt security measures. The emergence of online marketing introduced a new form of crime called cyber crime. Cyber crime is threatening the security of many businesses and has destroyed some of them in the recent past. Business owners are hoping that technology will develop software that can prevent any intrusion into organizational data. The clients have encountered losses as well from failed shipment of purchased goods. This necessitates the introduction of safety measures of ensuring that online shopping occurs at reliable places. Previous reports reveal that organizations registered an annual USD 5.9 million in setting up bench market organization. In 2000 alone, internet crimes of different levels accumulated upto 16,833 and have increased immensely in the last decade. In 2010, the number had risen to 303,809. Moreover, there is great traffic to social websites that have become a defining factor in establishing friendships today. The great traffic translates to million of accounts on social websites. Remarkably, social websites and Skype have cleared distance barriers. People have the capacity to stay in touch irrespective of the distance (Artz, & Kamalipour, 2007:45). Sharing of information has become a constant routine with news spreading seconds. However, there are challenges to the current global connectivity. Impersonation cases are on the rise today, a factor that is threatening personal security. With so much information shared on social networks, it becomes difficult for an individual to set the limits of confidentiality. Consequently, cases of online bullying, and sexual harassment are on the rise. Statistics reveal that a third of teenagers the United States of America have experienced cyber bullying. Moreover, the global connectivity has made it possible for people to share erotically suggestive files and images. Fifteen percent of teenagers who own phones ascertained the surging threat of online sexual harassment by confessing that they have been recipients of sexually suggestive material. The knowledge about the threat posed makes it necessary for parents to provide children with sufficient knowledge on the safe use of the internet. Internet users should be wary of hackers and strive to limit the amount of information shared on social websites. It is devastating to imagine the level of environmental degradation implicated with greenhouse gases and the surging threat of global warming. The realities surrounding global warming are posing numerous uncertainties to the globe. In order to correct mistakes that humans have made in the past, scientists have concentrated on analyzing the alternatives that technology can offer. The reality of the matter is the fact that energy resources are on the verge of overexploitation. Overexploitation of the available resources and the resulting waste products has been the major cause of global warming. As the problem gets worse as indicated by recent adverse climatic changes, there is a need for the globe to develop an alternative energy source. Scientists have identified nuclear energy as one of the potential sources of energy that will present the globe with clean and unlimited supply (Smil, 2010:32). With the increasing number of laboratories venturing into the possibilities of exploiting nuclear energy in different sectors, a group of scientists have the conviction that the globe has found a permanent solution to the issue. Technology has revealed that nuclear fissions have the capacity to provide a lot of energy. Until the experimentation on nuclear bombs, the energy had gone without tapping. However, it becomes critical to re-examine the ethics and control mechanism of nuclear power. The devastation and destruction caused by a nuclear explosion in Fukushima in Japan only serve to show the potential detrimental effects of nuclear energy. It is possible for nations to use the power for destructive purposes such as terrorism. Therefore, there is need for nations to define the limits and lay down rules governing the production and exploitation of nuclear energy to prevent any form of unjustified use. In 2012, 30 countries had opened up centers for nuclear reactors with the aim of producing electricity from those reactors (Smil, 2010:38). Moreover, fourteen more countries were in the process of setting up similar plants. A close examination at the case of Fukushima mentioned above highlight the loss that Japan suffered in clearing up the resulting mess. Many nations can learn numerous lessons from the classical illustration of Fukushima. Technology in Design Technology can have great impact in design. The potential of technology in design motivated Saini to term it as a viable solution to various problems. Technology has led to the development of specific software for use in design. Such a platform has transformed the design from handwork to online design systems. Unlike in traditional design where designers had to perfect skills by use of their hands, technology provides multiple learning aids for practitioners in any design field. An extensive computer package offers a broad range of applications that have transformed the field of design. Technology brings reliability, detail and convenience in the field (Wachtman, 2009:1550). With an increasing need for new technical approaches in design, technology has introduced a new realm of possibilities in tackling challenges in design. As expected, these have registered positive effects, explaining why current design is proving impeccable. Designers can make a choice from mobile applications, internet client application, web and service applications such as windows. There is evidence that the competent use of these applications improves the quality of design products. Technology in Ceramic Design Technology has had immense effects on ceramic design. Innovations and inventions have altered the products delivered by ceramic companies. The new range of products has the capacity to meet the needs of the clients, offering convenience and reliability. A classical illustration is the availability of flashy ceramic products suited for the kitchen and bathroom. Application of technological innovations presents the buyer with more choices. Market trends of ceramic design industries indicate that innovation is a primary tactic that enables a company maintain its standing. Technology can ensure that the products exhibit a high level of desirability among clients. Moreover, the innovation of a wide range of conductors, and switches that exhibit a high level of innovation has defined the level of growth in the field (Wachtman, 2009:1550). As described above, there was a justification in what Angela Saini discussed regarding technology. Technology has the potential of improving different sectors. The modernization process that started after the Second World War has served to prove that technology deserves a place in society. Although it may not serve all the problems that the human race may face, it presents viable solutions. Without doubt, regulated use of technology can present the globe with a certainty amidst all the surging uncertainties. The research into the significance of technology has proved to be a mind opener. It has exposed the new realm of possibilities that would result from the controlled application of technology. Through the analysis process, it has become clear that the problems posed by the use of technology in different sectors need sufficient regulation, intensive research, and creation of awareness. In design specifically, technology can open up an avenue of producing quality products. It can augment skill with convenience and reliability. It is clear that technology presents a measure of hope for the future. Bibliography Artz, L., & Kamalipour, Y. R. (2007). The media globe: trends in international mass media. Lanham, Md, Rowman & Littlefield. Lee, M. (2008). EU regulation of GMOs law and decision making for a new technology. Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10310494. Smil, V. (2010). Energy myths and realities bringing science to the energy policy debate. Washington, D.C., AEI Press. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10454810. Wachtman, John B. (2009). Cofire Technology Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Volume 9, Issue 11/12. Amer Ceramic Society. Žel, J., et al. (2011). How to reliably test for GMOs. New York, Springer Verlag. Read More