Many people argue that technology helps to improve our standard of living by making our lives more pleasant and comfortable. Technology has changed our lives in ways that are too numerous to count. Over the past decade, technology has had an enormous impact on society. Technology allows us to do extraordinary things such as work and play more efficiently. We can get limitless amount of information in an instant and communicate through elaborate online social networks. Technology is changing rapidly, what use to have a 10 year lifespan is obsolete in less than a year. According to the “Shift Happens” video, the amount of new technical information is doubling every 2 years. For example the number of years it took to reach a market audience of 50 million has change significantly, according to “Shift Happens” it took Radio 38 years, TV 13 years Internet 4 years, I pod 3 years, and Face book 2 years.
Rapid change in technology is also evident in our education system. American students continue to fall when compared to those in other countries. 50 years ago Americans ranked first in the world with the number of young adults who had a high school diploma or a college degree. However today “the 25% of India’s population with the highest IQ’s… is greater than the total population of the United States” according to the video “Shift Happens”. I personally find that statement to be astonishing, and question rather techno gadgets has helped America’s youth.
Despite some peoples beliefs I think the new epidemic of techno gadgets has become an addiction to society. A good example is the amount of cell phone texting, according to the Shift Happen video, the number of text message exceeds the total population of the planet. Online social networks also have enormous impact on society, the number of register users on My Space and Face Book is over 200 hundred million. From young to old technology has affect society in every way, from daily living to being entertain technology plays a big role in our life. According to “Shift Happens” the # 1 ranked country in Broadband Internet penetration is Bermuda, United States rank # 19 and Japan rank # 22. As global expansion of technology becomes more imperative for everyday life society is force to question, rather technology is a blessing or a curse.
Shanta how did you get such a cool picture backround? I barely was able to set up my blog account. I was amazed about all that technology is doing now everything is moving faster than I can keep up with it. It is interesting how fast technology is moving to advertise everything to get you to buy things. Now you can record and fast forward through commericals on television where before you just listened or left the room. I have noticed that commericals have gotten louder because they expect you to leave the room. My space and facebook have grown very rapidily over the last few years. My husbands family tells us to go on facebook but I don't want all the drama when they fight amongst themselves I like not knowing who is upset with whom. I think we would be in a lot of trouble if computers crashed like they thought was going to happen on January 1, 2000. Everything is done by computers. But I am still old school, I will not bank or pay my bills online. I don't trust them yet.
ReplyDeleteIt is all about how you look at today's youth, quality vs. quantity? You have to find what works for you and your family. I don't blame rude behavior on the gadgets but rather if the users were or in most cases not taught manners. You can't blame technology for our bad choices. Although it is often the escape goat. I think technology is a blessing but with all things it is how you use it which determines when it becomes a curse.
ReplyDeleteI must agree with your observation, "...techno gadgets has become an addiction to society." Years ago, cell phones were upgraded for the conviency of others, enable everyone to communicate anywhere. It was not a big deal as to whether what kind of cell phones each owned, but rather if it is in great usage. Now-a-days, cell phones is an expressions of how high-tech and upgraded you are to the society. With this direction, I am worried the future of our children would be granted with great technology, yet deepen with low-intelligence.
ReplyDeleteI think technology is a good thing, but to a limit. We cannot depend on it for everything. Like I said before, we as parents need to limit the amount of time that our children are spendig on computers, watching tv., or playig video games.
ReplyDeleteThat's a hard question at the end. "Is technology is a blessing ,or a curse?" I can honestly say that it is a little of both. If technology was use correctly then it is a total blessing, but I feel people abuse it at times. I see parents use the Television as a babysitter for their children, I just don't understand that. Then you have the iPad, which helps out the educational and professional world. So I believe it is a little bit of both.
ReplyDeleteI am going to agree with you about are we helping or hurting society. What scares me the most is what happens if this country was hit by a huge computer virus? I have been at the store when the registers did not work and the whole store comes to a halt. Hand a clerk a coupon after they totaled the order and watch them try to subtract the difference, some cant do it. Technology is nice and makes life easier but what happens when we all rely on it and it does not work, we still need to function.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Shanta. I know that technology has become another type of addiction in which our society suffers from. However, when directed properly and especially directed towards education, technology can enhance the way we learn. Teachers need to be willing to adapt and must be encouraged to broaden their technological knowledge. In order to be a successful and effective teacher, one must be willing to broaden their knowledge of how to incorporate technology in their classroom. Computer and networking technologies are an integral part of our society. Technology allows teachers to use many tools to help their students learn their subject matter. Technology does not hinder learning in any way it enhances the learning process by making learning more meaningful.
ReplyDeleteShanta, I would have to side with technology being a good thing. Technology has helped mankind in so many way. Medical treatments are now available that help so many people. Transportation, communication, and available information help us in many ways. There is also a down side to technoloy when people are not able to manage it. There are some people who spend too much time being non-productive on technology. People have become addicted as you said to things like texting and social networks. That would be the negative side of technology, buy over all I think it is a good thing.
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