Balancing Technology: Innovation and Privacy Concerns

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Ever since David Packard and Bill Hewlett founded Hewlett-Packard in 1939, the industry of technology has grown rapidly, and does not show signs of slowing down any time soon. The technology industry is constantly growing, providing innovative and helpful ways to accomplish various tasks. New technology is very helpful, however, this machinery is only beneficial if used for the right reasons. For example, a company by the name of NGI (Next Generation identification) has a system where they use scanners and a state-of-the-art biometric identification system, to identify anyone 's identity within seconds. Though this may sound helpful, many people can argue that this is an invasion of privacy. Technology is used to help cure diseases, accomplish tasks in fractions of the time, and open doors of opportunities never thought possible, though technology is only an asset to society if used properly. When Maxwell Smart first whipped out his shoe phone in 1965, everyone saw an act of pure movie magic. Back in the mid to late 1900s everybody had the same idea of the future. Everyone pictured the future as talking robots (Siri), computerized pocket-sized dictionaries (smart-phones), hovering devices (drones), and much more. Today, everyone thinks of these technologies as commonalities. Most of these current devices have a valuable impact, while few create debatable issues. The company NGI has a system that will revolutionize the field of biometric facial recognition. In the article titled Embracing Big Brother: How Facial Recognition Could Help Fight Crime, author Jim Stenman says, "The mission is to reduce terrorist and criminal activity by improving and expanding biometric identification as well as criminal history information s... ... middle of paper ... ...e can use high-speed conveyor belts to shoot newspapers out as fast as lightning. These newly introduced processes have altered the need for jobs and will continue to create ease to many occupations. Throughout the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution, technology has changed the world, conforming it into the techno-savvy world of modern times. While technology can cause slight problems, like in the example about the Next Generation identification, the possibilities of technology are continuously changing for the better. The everyday items of modern society were simply fiction several decades ago. While technology is used to complete tasks in fractions of the time, heal epidemics, and open doors of possibilities never dreamed achievable, this technology is only a beneficial resource to society if used with true intentions.

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