On this date, we live in a tech World. A world that runs on technology in every aspect. It is as old as people are. One way or the other, every organism in the world is affected by technology. The recent development has geared up the speed of technical tools compressing the world into a small capsule. From the start of scientific discoveries till today, the world has changed. Watching and reaching the other side of the globe is at our fingertips. The inertia of technology is pushing the envelope forward.
We say it’s something new and that something hasn’t been tried. But as a dish may be made sweet or sour, so is the impact of technology which is positive and negative. As said, every aspect of life is tech-touched, but here we are to peep into a few.
How Technology Transformed Our World
Technology has drastically transformed our world by introducing innovations that have reshaped how we communicate, work, learn, and entertain ourselves. From the internet connecting us globally to artificial intelligence automating tasks, technology continues to revolutionize every aspect of human life.
With that being said, let’s have a look at the different aspects in our daily lives where the technology has made changes:
Media
Digital Technology has widened the scope of the word media. Today, it doesn’t mean a news platform, but any company that helps pass information across the globe through social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
About half of the world’s population using smartphones shares a phenomenal amount of information through social media networks (technology has also transformed television). It is a big statement that connects people globally. This social networking has been possible just because of the internet, which has provided humans with an unlimited amount of information across the planet. It has offered us the fastest communication mode.
One can see a white picture if the background is black. The same is the scene with this aspect of technology. The dark background hides the identity of a person online, misleading others sitting in front of a computer. Family members in a house living together have disconnected personally and connected socially but on social media.
Children prefer entertaining themselves online rather than going to parks which makes them sluggish and less creative. Also, there is no check on the authenticity of the limitless information. That creates chaotic and confusing conditions misleading the users. Pornography and unethical content are easily accessible for spoiling teens in every part of the world.
Medication
Seeing doctors and physicians using technology, one becomes speechless. A doctor sitting thousands of miles away controls robotic arms to perform surgery. Isn’t it amazing? He can help the resident with complicated procedures virtually. To see the latest discovery in a groundbreaking surgery in any part of the world internet takes the responsibility to accomplish the task.
Another example is the discovery of vaccines in a short span for the ongoing pandemic-causing virus the corona. Booking an appointment with a doctor and consultation from any country is just a click of a button away. The aging population has been blessed with various medical and technical tools to make life easier. It has become feasible to take care of the old ones although one stays away from them working at any other place.
No doubt technology has revolutionized the world in medicine too. But it has also generated diseases, and problems like diabetes, mental disorders, stress, obesity, and depression in young and old. The virtual study of surgery is insufficient to build confidence in an upcoming doctor to hold a scalpel in his hand and dissect a human being on an operation table.
The scholar needs to experiment with the research done in the lab on a computer before launching a vaccine in the market that needs practical handling. A developed country of the world can invent a cure for a disease through technology, but if it does not make it affordable for an underdeveloped country, then it is a pity.
Climate
All the people on earth try to find their comfort zone for living. It is essential also. To fulfill our needs, we use technology. Just look around and see sitting in a room that cools in summer and gets warmed up in winter, the word behind it is AC. Storing the food and getting the cool water and ice cream refrigerator is the one to do the job. Cleaning clothes and utensils and cooking appliances, running cars, flying airplanes, dashing jets, propelling rockets, and so forth are the gifts of technology.
And along with this yet other gifts it has given are pollution, climatic disasters, skin and allergic problems, and many more. This is because of the emission of harmful gases by various devices being used by man on the earth. More and more resources are being used that have disturbed the ecological balance of the planet to fulfill the excessive needs of humans. Global warming is the alarm for people to rethink and redo technical discoveries.
Industry and infrastructure
In the industrial sector, a new world has emerged when customers are buying products uptime. Routine jobs are automated to achieve this. The use of AI, Cloud Computing, machine learning, and intelligence tools now manage a more effective business.
Technology has also flipped the development of infrastructure from slow and unstable to fast and steady. Dams, roads, flyovers, metro stations, and underpasses are examples of growing technology. Seeing the other side, we find that, no doubt, technology has proved to be a boon for Mankind, but it is also a cause of unemployment.
In the name of automation, robots are taking over human jobs. The driverless car is an add-on to this problem. Degree holders can be seen working as drivers for cabs. The technology used for mapping employee performance and productivity is causing immense pressure on employees resulting in dissatisfaction and critical illness. The discharge of industrial waste into the environment diminishes the quality of soil, air, and water.
Industrial advancement in terms of technology is confined and controlled by few countries resulting in widening the gap between the developed and developing countries and thus unbalancing the global economy.
Education
Certainly, technology has also changed education. It has not only increased access to information but also made global learning and education a possibility. For the better part of our history, books were the only source of information and, thus, the only reliable medium for a systematic education.
But the introduction of technology like the internet and smart devices has changed things. In fact, an entire industry surrounding smart education has sprung up and is only going to grow much more in the future. Technology has made education possible for everyone.
We also have to understand that a large part of the role that technology plays in enriching education is rooted in classrooms and actual learning methods. It has allowed us to use devices such as computers, smartphones, laptops, and tablets to become more efficient in our pursuit of knowledge.
Transportation
From the wheel to the Hyperloop, we have come a long way as far as transportation is concerned. And all the credit goes to technology, especially if we take into account the evolution of transportation in the last few decades. It seems like yesterday when we transitioned from coal-powered steam engines to petroleum products, and today, we are ready to harness magnetic force and electricity as if it’s no big deal.
We are in an era where self-driving cars are real, and things like flying taxis are just around the corner. And all this is due to technology. It has impacted transportation in more ways than any other industry, save IT and communication. It has played a vital role in our daily lives and made transportation marvels commonplace. And by the looks of it, it is not going to stop.
Impact of technology on our world
Technology has become a big part of who we are, and it impacts our world in various ways. We utilize it daily and rely on it to make our lives easier. We have integrated technology into our lives so deeply that sometimes, it can even cause us some rather serious inconveniences. As we always say, technology is inherently neutral; however, it is how we use it that makes it either good or bad.
Positive impact
Given below are some positive aspects of technology and how it has changed our world:
- It has improved communication, making the world much smaller.
- It allows us to interact in real-time, even if two people are in two different halves of the world.
- Technology has revamped education and the entire learning process.
- Information is much more easily and readily available, often a few clicks away.
- Production has increased across all sectors.
- Healthcare has been on the rise, and people have longer and safer lives.
- New cures have been found, and many diseases have been conquered.
- It has made the workforce more efficient.
- Travel is more convenient and safe.
- Technology allows us to harness more power and even offers alternative sources of energy.
- It has made our society more secure.
- It has also revolutionized finance and transactions and contributed to economics.
Negative impact
Similarly, we have also mentioned a few negative aspects of technology:
- It has become a new source of mental health issues.
- It makes us more socially isolated.
- We have become overly dependent on technology.
- In many cases, technology has also created unemployment.
- Pollution has risen considerably due to technology.
- It has opened the doors for a new brand of crime.
- It can lead to addiction.
- Technology is also a constant source of distraction.
- We have become more averse to human interaction.
- It has reduced our attention span.
The future of technology
Technology is ever-evolving, and it will continue to do so, especially in the foreseeable future. Hence, it is not surprising that we might get something new every day. The future of technology is bright, and so are its implications for our world and society—at least, that’s what most experts seem to believe. Technology will revolutionize our world in the coming years. How?
Here is a table that details up-and-coming technology, the current trends, and how it will impact our world in the future.
| Technology | Trends | Future Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | We are seeing an increase in its integration across industries. | Can enhance automation, data analytics, and prediction |
| IoT | Most devices are becoming smart, smart homes and kitchen appliances are on the rise, and they have also started integration with 5G. | Will make life more convenient. |
| Blockchain | Already started adopting decentralized finance and has been used in supply chain management | Will be the second coming of the internet, can improve global trade and markets, and has the potential to change the currency model |
| Biotechnology | Progress in personalized medicine and drug research | Can help with many diseases and streamline and personalize treatment. |
| Quantum Computing | Already have better hardware for the computer, being used in cryptography | Ethical considerations aside, they can be monumental in terms of data security and encryption and also solve complex scientific and mathematical problems. |
Conclusion
The run of technology is unpredictable, and it will never stop. It has turned out to be advantageous for the overall development, but too much use of anything is not good. Climbing on the stairs of technology we have risen high, very high up to space leaving behind the fulfillment of the primary needs of a large part of the global population. If technology has changed the world, then why has it left this problem unsolved? It has become an evil necessity for some who have become dangerous Masters. Technology is a faithful servant that should be used with caution and care to make this world a better place to live.