Technology, a word derived from the Greek, means “the practical use of scientific discoveries”. The advent of the Third Industrial Revolution made this expression essential to humanity. Unfortunately, it seems that our technical advance is accompanied by setbacks. The innovations contribute to hastening our transformation into machines: a group of limited creatures, unable to think, incapable of truly integrating ourselves – we are hostages of our own creations. The technological development, many times, affects our essence.
By improving a machine, it can display processing power greater than the one men have. Due to this, every individual has the ability to delegate tasks to the equipment he possesses. Although this has several advantages, an issue is born: people have become idle. It is easier to make a piece of equipment do something, rather than do ourselves. This way, contemporary world is marked by an intellectual regress. Why should we bother with working, thinking and learning when there is artificial intelligence to help? Students rely on Google. Factories rely on robots. Planes rely on automatic pilots. Innovations are taking human’s role of modifying the Earth’s environment.
Moreover, this “advanced” way of life is apparently neglecting the most important aspect of it – the people. We have evolved to times when technological applications grow exponentially. Each new day ends with uncountable new gadgets. Not even the most productive person can possibly keep the pace of this. Consequently, we have humans adapting themselves to this frantic routine by incorporating its rhythm to their personal relations. In the biggest urban centres, the “time is money” motto prevents its inhabitants of nurturing true relationships because they are always running against the clock. Our development was based on cooperation. Therefore, losing the capacity to integrate our minds may cause major problems in the future.
Indeed, technology is responsible for wiping out several of our human characteristics. However, it can also be used to improve them. There are initiatives like edX, which provides top-level education by the internet. Advances in medical products are helping people to reach more than 64 years of life. The evolution of our means of transportation now allows us to move from Newark to Singapore in mere 19 hours – actually, that is the longest flight route still active. Additionally, we are no longer subject to Thomas Malthus’ apocalyptic forecast because of new farming techniques. These examples suffice to illustrate a point: technology may have its disadvantages, but it remains a huge player in mankind’s domination of the entire universe.
Originally published on thimabi.wordpress.com.