Examine an issue from the Article (Neil Postman: Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change)

Technological Change
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Technology is the enhancement of human power artificially by use of machines. Computers are the form of advanced technology mostly employed and this has found its way in many applications and disciplines. In recent times, what was considered as a means of improving the economy and application of knowledge has become a threat in recent times as it contributes to the social chaos and stagnation of most economies. The invention of Nuclear power, for instance, apart from terrifying and paralyzing creators has led to much harm and fear in the society. Most industries are faced by challenges attributed to the ever surging patterns of quality innovation given that it is usually associated with cost innovation. As most industries evolve especially the one’s dealing with microelectronics, the rate of quality improvement does not diminish and as a result profitability attributed to improved quality may be higher later (Fox, 2010).
This paper will thus explore the concept of technology in the society by looking at the past historical development of this aspect, as well as the benefits it has subjected to the contemporary community. In order to advance its rationale, technological investment has been a center stage in all operations, both in small scale organizations as well as in big corporations. The society is indeed embracing both the advantages and disadvantages of technology, with the positive side arguing that technology is the pivot concept towards expanded worldly operations. Indeed, it’s no doubt that we have seen enormous growth in technology for all spheres of life. Much as we may say of it acting as the core process in our larger process of experiencing a widely growing state of occupation in the global perspective, we cannot shun away from appreciating the devastating effects that its bringing to the society. Much imbalance in the social structures of the society has been as a result of the rapidly growing state of technology. Insecurity and compromised health of people from the negative implications of technology have been significant.
Technology has played various key roles in the economy. Much of its impact can be seen in the way it contributed to the growth of industries, a process referred to as industrialization. As factories and major manufacturing companies resort to the use of machines, this new technologies has led to a vast population to harm out their without employment. In essence, most workers were retrenched as most work is being undertaken by computers and machines. The current technology is at great risk of being obsolete as new inventions are being undertaken each day. Consecutively, there is need of this generation to prepare for tomorrow especially scholars, politicians and businessmen as they are the ones affected to a great extend before the impacts of technological changes resting on the larger population. In order to effectively prepare, the problems posed in the future need to be analyzed given that the challenges that will be faced in the future are the same like those faced in the past but in a new dimension (Jin, 2011).
Technology has transformed most aspects in the economy like turning of the agricultural sector into an industrial economy. Means of communication and transport have been developed and as a result it has facilitated the international trade. The availability of satellites have enabled people in different destinations in the world to keep in touch and be informed via radio, wireless, telephone, magazines, TV and the internet. Moreover, it is possible for people and goods to move from one place to another with ease and urgency as road, rail, water and air travel are convenient. However, the new technology presents many threats to the population. The once used nuclear power as a form of energy and for medication purposes is fatal and can cause to massive destruction when placed in the wrong hands like in the hands of terrorists. Greater technological advancement in nuclear power can lead to complete elimination of the human race. Other effects of technology are perceived in the marriages, family, state, religion, politics and (Atkinson, 2010).
Technological changes have played a great role in the transformation and magnificent growth of the current advanced structures in the economy. The technological era came with expansion of the economic activities level which was accompanied by reduction in the total human workforce given that much work was automated. Workers in most industries are responsible for guiding servicing, directing, and repairing powerful machines. Technological changes posses many impact on the religious faith and hence the need of considering the cultural balance and stability. Culture plays a big role in influencing changes in technology. This makes it to present a trade-off bargain in the sense that apart from coming with massive benefits to the society, technology poses some threats too thus making it to carry mixed blessings Soares, Cruz, Pereira & Reis, 2010).
The invention of computers for instance has led to most people to lack employment opportunities. Apart from this, computers are associated with a number of health issues to man which are not addressed but instead attention is focused on the wonders performed by them. The environmental degradation and greenhouse effects are attributes of technology which has led to increased volume of carbon gases in the atmosphere. In addition, salting of oceans and depletion of ozone layer is caused by combustion of fuels from automobiles. Technology especially new ones are associated with great costs that need to be overcome. In religion, technology reduced the sensitivity of religion into a form of fanciful superstitions even though the aim was to present inductive science (Riley, 2006). Printing technology made the Bible to express God in a local potentate dimension as if God is a German, Frenchman or an Englishman especially when translation is being done from these languages to other vernaculars. New information technologies carries with it social and psychic impacts all of which are associated with the printing press, telegraphy and mechanical clock.
Technological changes faces uneven distribution among the population thus one part of the population may face advantages while another population may experience disadvantages of the new technology. As a result, some people will benefit while others will be affected negatively. The printing of bibles led to break up of the Holy Roman given that the authority of the church hierarchy was undermined. In turn, the Protestants were pleased with this break up, while the Catholics were infuriated at that time. On the other some including the Jews were not affected by the breakup. Computers are mostly applicable in banks, tax collection institutions, and military and airline companies thus making it advantageous in these firms (Stiglitz, McFadden & Peltzman, 1987). On the other hand, vegetable store owners, musicians, steel workers, theologians, dentists among others; although they make use of computers the impact is at a lower percentage. Large corporations operate with the help of computerized systems which are operated by human.
Man is expected to give orders to machines which will execute the commands. As a result, most of work which would otherwise be undertaken by man is now performed by machines. Hence, technological change is characterized by winners and losers parties where as one group gains another one is busy losing. The winners include computer companies, nation state and multinational corporations while losers mostly comprise of people who came up with these programs during the great computer revolution. This makes it to give power to others while withholding the same power to the rest of the society. The invention and embracing of new technology led to difficulty in creation of jobs and this grants business owners an upper hand given that they only employ a few workforce who will be responsible for running the operations of the company. In the long run, automation has made manufacturers and other business owners to come out as winners in the current market while making the workforce who are not able to secure employment to be losers. Jet planes, for instance, are being flown by computers thus no need of a navigator (Keel, & Mayer, 2010).
Human effort is not applied in the weapon system that protects warships as they do react very first without the intervention of human beings making it hard to disable their effectiveness. Technology is always characterized by powerful ideas which are mostly hidden due to their abstract nature. However, these ideas present some consequences which are practical making new technology to have prejudice. In times when machines usage has been embraced, work will always be accomplished with fewer mistakes (Tushman & Anderson, 1996). The powerful ideas in technology make it to surpass human performance as machines have indefinite concentration and endurance limitations. The goodness of new technology then is to do away with erratic, unreliable and the slow human workforce which have become a liability to the organization.
In this computer age; the concept of wisdom tends to vanish given that computers are agents of information with nothing to do with knowledge. The medium of technological change is the message. This is in view of the fact that every technology has a philosophy that enables people to use their ...