As the advent of the scientific era already came, people use technology as much as they can. Technologies give people a lot of advantages. However, they never concern about the bad influences that bring with technologies. In the essay “Attention Deficit: The Brain Syndrome of Our Era”, Richard Restak examines the brain’s ability to multitask and the consequences of multitasking as the result of technological impacts. He realizes technology makes people lose the ability to create happiness, because multitasking forces individuals’ brains to process ever-increasing amounts of information at ever-increasing rates. Similiarly, Tenzin Gyatso presents the complicated ethical dilemmas of genetic technologies in “Ethics and the New Genetics”. …show more content…
People can stay in several dimensions with the help of technologies. As Restak says, “as a result of technological advances we participate in many different and disparate ‘realities’, yet as a result of our attention and focus problems we can’t fully participate in them ”(419). Nowadays, as technology eliminates time and distance limitations, people can stay in several places at the same time. Due to it, people can learn more ideas from several surrogates at a time. For example, people get ideas through talking with the person next to them and making a phone call at the same time. By contrast, in the past, people can only get ideas from one person at a time. Therefore, technology works better as a surrogate than that of a normal person. However, although technology benefits people, it distracts them and makes them not work efficiently. They not only have to talk on the phone, but also have to pay attention to the person next to them. Thus, they cannot focus on one activity at a time and it results in working inefficiently. On one hand, technologies distract people that make them cannot work efficiently. On the other hand, technologies develop so fast that peoples’ ethical thinking cannot follow them. Gyatso illustrates it as, “the rapid increase of human knowledge …show more content…
The modern society develops so fast with the help of technologies that the public’s mind changes a lot. Restak illustrates the situation as, “shifting attention from one activity to another-a strategy that is now almost a requirement for survival”(414). In the past, people think ADD/ADHD is an illness, and one of its symptoms is they cannot focus on one activity at a time. Nowadays, as the speed of life increases, people have to deal with more work in a shorter time than before. As a consequence, they have to multitask through switching attention between activities frequently. On one hand, employees will feel temporarily happy if they can finish tasks quickly, because they will have free time to relax. On the other hand, employers will get temporarily happiness if they can earn more money in a short time, due to their employees can finish tasks quickly. Gradually, in the modern world, ADD/ADHD is seen as a special characteristic rather than an illness. Thus, peoples’ ethical boundary becomes loose. In order to avoid lose their ethical boundaries totally, people have to keep their fundamental human values in minds. As Gyatso says, “a moral compass must entail preserving our human sensitivity and will depend on us constantly bearing in mind our fundamental human values. We must be willing to be revolted when science-or
In “Attached to Technology and Paying a Price” (part of the New York Times’ “Your Brain on Computers” series), journalist Matt Richtel details technology’s effects on an actual family and recounts their experiences. Although Drs. Restak and Samuel are both widely respected in their individual fields, Mr. Richtel’s journalistic career has been almost exclusively devoted to studying technology’s impact on our lives and attention, and his views are voiced loudly throughout his work, even though they are not explicitly stated. In the course of reading “Attention Deficit”, it can feel at times as if Dr. Restak had come to the conclusion that technology is damaging to our brains and our personal lives long before putting pen to paper, then proceeded to search for evidence to back up his viewpoint.
From communicating with one another to researching for an essay, these high-tech gadgets are constantly being used. Unfortunately this is slowly becoming a danger to the human mind and an individual's ability to carry out simple tasks. This can be shown through the examples in Carr’s novel. He states multiple times that technology is damaging the brain and is struggling to do the simple tasks it should be able to do. Through his multiple examples, it is clear that technology is hurting us because we can no longer contemplate, concentrate, remember certain details, and more. Although, we cannot avoid using technology, we should be mindful of how often we use
Technology has played a vital role in human progression over the past century, with new advancements like computers, smart phones, and orbiting satellites paving the way for a world more connected than ever before. The ease of accessing knowledge via these devices ensures that individuals can have the world at their fingertips, as any and all questions they may have can be answered in only a matter of seconds. Such a free flow of information requires little mental aptitude to understand and access, and some observers of this relatively new phenomenon are starting to ponder if technology is actually hurting us rather than aiding us. One such
Although advanced technology acts as a surrogate that helps people make better decisions and saves their time; it distracts them from the everyday reality of life. Individuals face large quantities of problems in their whole lives, but they always get help from others. By contrast, if people try to solve every problem by themselves, they will waste a lot of time. Gilbert illustrates the situation as, “One of the benefits of being a social and linguistic animal is that we can capitalize on the experience of others rather than trying to figure everything out for ourselves”(211). People get benefits from communicating with others, because they share their knowledge and experiences with others. As a result, when they meet problems, they can use others’ experiences to get solutions. By contrast, if people do not talk with others, they have to solve problems by themselves at the expense of wasting a lot of time. Most people never
A dependence on technology will not create a utopian society. Relying on technology for everything can create disruption of people’s bonds and love towards family members, disruption in people’s emotions and feelings and disruption to people physically.
Today, in 21st century United States, people are concerned with the fast pace of new and growing technology, and how these advances should be used. In the last decade alone we have seen major advancements in technology; in science, cloning has become a reality, newer, more powerful drugs have been invented and, in communications, the Internet has dominated society. There is a cultural lag due to the fast rate of increasing technology, and while the governments of the world are trying to keep up their role as censors and lawmakers, we as individuals are trying to comprehend the effects it has on our lives. Will these advances enhance our lives to an unprecedented level of comfort, or lead to the loss of actual happiness? In the early 1930's, when Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World, this was a question he felt was worth asking.
When talking about the future of technology, one can only imagine what it will be down the road. The future of technology evokes many questions about the preservation of human existence, human advancement and intelligence. Some writers even discuss their positions on the future of technology and human kind. Writers such as James J. Bell, who explains the theory of the ‘Singularity’. In summary, he states that the rate of technological advancement, compared to human intelligence, will one day reach the ‘singularity’ were it will surpass the human mind (pg. 52). We may never know if technology will ever have the power to surpass the human intellect or what the consequences will be if it does attain these capabilities. Will humans still maintain control over them, or will they control us? Theses eight articles illustrate the implicit and explicit control that technology holds over humans in the future.
Since the Industrial Revolution, technology has become an essential tool in human life. Technology impacted lives in society by offering a way to “multitask” by using two or more technological devices. Technology and internet offers the facility to do homework faster through Google, while listening to music on Pandora or YouTube. Sometimes, you can even talk on the phone while you listen to music and do homework. All you need in order to multitask is to have all the technological devices needed. Many people consider technology as a positive change in our lives, because of the facilities it offers us. However, many other persons, like Christine Rosen, think that technology instead of improving our lives, it has only changed it negatively. Technology, in fact has provided us with many facilities, however such facilities are affecting our interactions with the physical space.
Savulescu, Julian. “Genetic Interventions and the Ethics of Human Beings.” Readings in the Philosophy of Technology. Ed. David Kaplan. 2nd ed. Lanham: Roman & Littlefield, 2009. 417-430.
Scientific and technological advances are the products of man's inherent desire to improve the society in which he lives. Such progress often accompanies an expansion of intellectual boundaries. As one acquires knowledge, one also encounters new opportunities to be explored. This is true in the area of human genome research. The implications of The Human Genome Project and other attempts to further understand the human genetic code clearly demonstrate the basic principles of social benefit versus social cost. The desired effect is obviously one in which the benefits significantly outweigh the costs. The actual impact of such technology, however, remains only an estimate until this scientific advancement becomes a reality. It is out of this inability to predict how new technology may transform society that controversy arises. For if one estimates the value of knowledge and progress to ultimately influence society in a negative manner, then, perhaps such advancement should not be attempted. The Human Genome Project and other studies involving genetic research invite debate on the most controversial and highly moral issues that characterize and define the nature of life.
Just a few days ago terrorist attack the Paris where many people die and injured, and run on the emergency rooms. I cannot imagen how the chaos that existed especially for all of the doctors that tried to save them. In the article “Medical Technology and Ethical Issues” William E. Thomson and Joseph V. Hickey point out that discuss sociological and ethical issues related to medical technology that also try to save life. There are some argument about overreliance on new computerize system to make important decision about the patients treatment. Also, medical technology is going to change future but “where do we draw line”?
Scientists and the general population favor genetic engineering because of the effects it has for the future generation; the advanced technology has helped our society to freely perform any improvements. Genetic engineering is currently an effective yet dangerous way to make this statement tangible. Though it may sound easy and harmless to change one’s genetic code, the conflicts do not only involve the scientific possibilities but also the human morals and ethics. When the scientists first used mice to practice this experiment, they “improved learning and memory” but showed an “increased sensitivity to pain.” The experiment has proven that while the result are favorable, there is a low percentage of success rate. Therefore, scientists have concluded that the resources they currently own will not allow an approval from the society to continually code new genes. While coding a new set of genes for people may be a benefitting idea, some people oppose this idea.
In the early years of computers and computerized technology, computer engineers had to believe that their contribution to the development of computer technology would produce positive impacts on the people that would use it. During the infancy of computer technology, ethical issues concerning computer technology were almost nonexistent because computers back then were not as multifaceted as they are today. However, ethical issues relating to computer technology and cyber technology is undeniable in today’s society. Computer technology plays a crucial role in all aspects of our daily lives. Different forms of computer technology provide unique functionalities that allow people to perform daily activities effectively and efficiently. In modern society, we use computer and cyber technology to communicate with friends and family via social networking sites, participate in business transactions, and get current news. Different tasks require unique technological feature in computer technology to function properly. Although, unique technological features increase people’s proficiency in accomplishing various tasks, unique technological features in computer and cyber technology increase security vulnerabilities. In many cases, the security vulnerabilities in computer technology are exploited by cybercriminals to invade people’s privacy, and steal people’s identity. We know that computers have no moral compass; they cannot make moral decisions for themselves. Essentially, people make moral decisions that affect others positively or negatively depending on how they use computer technology. Some of the biggest ethical issues facing people in the computing environment include privacy concerns on the web and identity theft. Privacy concerns...
The world is getting smaller, yet remains full of possibilities due in part to technology. Interestingly, the very first emails could only be sent to someone using two computers, literally side by side. Technology dates back to the first manipulations of materials to assist in human survival. There are many definitions for technology, John D. Carl describes technology stating,” it deals with the creation, use, and application of knowledge and its’ interrelation with life, society, and the environment” (Carl, J.D., 2011, p.301). For the purpose of this paper, any instrument, invention, or method influencing and allowing people to control or adapt to their environment, is technology. With the increased availability of technological tools (smart phones, text messaging, image scanning, email, and social media), communication is rapidly changing. Society has moved beyond the Industrial Age and into the Information Age, where the sharing of knowledge and ideas is the new driver of power and world economy. Technology possesses many merits, and as with any tool, it carries drawbacks. Misuse and overuse creates unsavory dependence. This dependence can have adverse affects on people, business, and education. Technology receives vast criticism for reducing face-to-face interactions. Although the information technology of today is widely held as impersonal, it promotes communication; technology reduces costs and leverages productivity by facilitating access to information and knowledge, and augmenting interaction amongst those who utilize technology.
In conclusion, since technology is exceeding our humanity, humans have relied on technology for everyday use. Technology is also affecting our future generations with providing the ease of doing school assignments without using their knowledge. Also, toddlers today are professional in using electronic devices before they even pronounce a word. On the other hand, children also rely on the use of technology their entire life like a bad habit. In the end, technology lessens a person’s intelligence and thinking skills, because he/she depended on technology rather than figuring it out on their own.