Technology is all that solution, development or knowledge that facilitates life in society. And in the last half century, technological advances have been so far-reaching that they have even modified the way we live, communicate and interact.
In this sense, technology has brought great advantages for social development, but also disadvantages that are expressed individually and collectively. These are some of them.
| Technology | |
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| Definition | Knowledge, technical developments or practices that help improve the life of a society. |
| Advantage |
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| Disadvantages |
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Index
Advantages of technology
Technology makes everyday life easier, but it also has a profound impact on multiple areas from which society benefits, such as:
1. Quick access to information
Access to information through technologies such as the web is increasingly fast. This allows more and more people to have access to more data that allows them to make better decisions, from the state of the weather to financial forecasts in a large corporation.
2. Access to multiple sources of knowledge
Technology, through the web and the use of devices, allows users to have access to any type of knowledge and for all levels of learning. This, together with the speed with which the information can be found, is a valuable tool especially in training processes.
3. Stimulates creativity
Today, there are many technological resources that allow creation in multiple fields (artistic, academic, musical, literary, film, computer, etc.) From free software for image, audio and video editing, to 3D modeling tutorials.
As time passes, these types of resources (which were previously very expensive) become more accessible, which helps stimulate creativity and foster new spaces and formats for creation.
4. Stimulates innovation
With the advancement of technology come new challenges for society as well. And innovation makes it possible to create satisfying and, in many cases, massive solutions. Distance educational services or robotics applied to health are an example of this.
5. It favors entrepreneurship
As learning becomes much easier and there are so many free or low-cost resources available, entrepreneurship has become much more accessible. Nowadays, to develop an idea you can count on a remote multidisciplinary team, it can be sold online, it is possible to seek financing anywhere in the world, etc.
6. Facilitates communication
Nowadays it seems obvious, but just 10 years ago most instant messaging services did not exist, and video communications were not as efficient. Access to the internet and technological improvements have brought about a shortening of distances that has had a global impact, because they are not only reflected in the personal sphere, but also in the workplace, which has a direct impact on the economy.
7. Allows longer and faster trips
Technology goes far beyond the internet, and has to do with the development of all the solutions that make life in society much easier. In this sense, the advancement of transport systems has been very noticeable, and new alternatives are increasingly being proposed that allow more people to be transferred to new destinations and in less time.
Japanese bullet trains are a tangible example, while space tourism (trips to the moon for entertainment purposes) is getting closer and closer.
8. Simplify housework
The so-called internet of things allows the connection of domestic devices to the same network. With this, it is possible that a person can remotely control, and from the same device (the telephone, for example), the heating, the automatic doors, the security system and even the car.
Beyond this interconnection, nowadays household appliances are designed to be efficient, consume less energy and, in many cases, have an internet connection.
9. More efficiency in industrial and administrative processes
The use of technology in industrial processes helps to increase productivity, as it allows the manufacture of parts in massive quantities and in less time. On the other hand, technology makes it possible to control processes that were previously manual, which guarantees, among other things, fewer human errors and much more verifiable data in real time.
In administrative terms, cloud technology allows companies to free themselves from the costs of IT infrastructure and guarantee the security of their data.
10. Improve and increase entertainment media
Technology has influenced all areas of entertainment. From streaming services to live broadcasts on social networks and video games. In addition, it allows those who were previously content consumers to now also be creators, which has influenced the communicational dynamics and has expanded the entertainment options available.
Not only are there more platforms to display content, but each person can be their own means of communication.
11. Facilitates educational processes
Technology favors the approach of educational resources to inaccessible places, and allows more and more people to overcome the digital divide and join an interconnected world. Distance education processes and augmented reality applied to education are two examples of how technology can significantly influence academic training.
12. Allows the development of technical skills at an early age
Unlike other times, today it is very common for children to have access to technological devices and resources. This puts them in an advantageous position over previous generations, as it stimulates the development of certain skills.
Currently it is very common for children to have an interest in programming, computer science or video game development, and this contributes significantly to boosting the technical skills of future professionals.
13. Create new sources of work
As technology advances, problems arise that merit innovative solutions. This creates novel job opportunities, driving economic development on multiple levels.
The growing development of online banking ( fintech ), for example, demands professionals linked to software engineering, UX development (user experience), specialists in data analysis, etc.
See also:
Disadvantages of technology
While we cannot deny the positive impact of technology on collective development, it has also brought disadvantages that affect individuals and even the planet. These are some of them:
1. It can negatively influence productivity
Inappropriate use of technology through mobile devices can generate inconveniences in the workplace, student and personal, since it encourages distraction and procrastination.
Social networks and online games are two of the main distractions in classrooms and work environments, hence in many cases the use or access to devices or certain web pages is restricted.
2. Raises complex ethical dilemmas
The development of artificial intelligence (AI), for example, is posing dilemmas that once seemed like science fiction. How should a future interaction between humans and AI be approached? Who will have control of this type of technology? What will be the limits of these advances?
The technology applied to the development of massive weapons, or to medicine, also raises similar questions, such as their use, control and limitations. And although this is not a disadvantage in itself, if there are no clear guidelines in the present, it can generate inconveniences in the future with negative consequences for society.
3. In the near future, it can lead to unemployment
The mechanization of processes, especially in the manufacturing sector, makes human labor less and less necessary. This puts in a delicate situation those who cannot access adequate technological training to cope with changes in work dynamics (older people or those without access to education).
4. Stimulates isolation and loneliness
The use of technology through household devices facilitates isolation. You no longer need to leave home to work, shop, or socialize. And although this is an advance in technological terms, in social terms it is generating the formation of individuals increasingly connected with the world, but disconnected from each other.
5. It is increasingly complex to separate what is real from what is not
Advances in photographic, audio and video editing technologies make it increasingly difficult for non-expert users to differentiate real events from fictitious events. A very clear example has to do with fakes news , but there is also a very recent phenomenon that is becoming increasingly difficult to combat: deepfakes , which are videos edited using artificial intelligence.
This technique, which began being used in the film industry, allows you to create faces and superimpose them on the face of another actor, achieving a very realistic effect. But unfortunately, today it is being used to create false news or to accuse people of committing acts in which they have not participated. As the video quality is very high, it is very difficult to tell that it is not real.
6. Generation of technological waste
In the past, technological developments were designed to last. Today, planned obsolescence causes multiple devices to stop working or become useless in a relatively short time to stimulate the purchase of new devices.
Beyond consumption considerations, planned obsolescence generates a lot of technological waste that in many cases is difficult to process, that takes a long time to degrade or that is highly polluting, which considerably affects the environment and with it, the quality of life of people in the long term.
You may be interested in seeing input and output devices .
7. Privacy and security issues
Today, the use of technology involves the exchange of personal data in exchange for the enjoyment of certain services. This has brought negative consequences of various kinds, such as digital scams, online harassment, extortion, identity theft and other problems that endanger the privacy and security of users.
See also
