Society has been heavily reliant on technology. It plays a big part in our everyday lives. We use technology in traveling, communicating, learning, and working. You won’t be able to separate a human being from technology willingly. Technology has been advancing as time passes by, and it also has been so accessible that it greatly impacted the needs and demands of society.
Some of the significant positive impacts that technology has given society are:
Improved Transportation
The transportation system has dramatically improved since the 80s. It has been more accessible and more convenient for people and commodities to get from point A to point B. Air travel has also been more accessible to people, and the travel industry has gained a lot from this.
Improved Education
Technology has enhanced the schools’ learning process. Before, students had to go to the library to research assignments, projects, or thesis to get it done. Now, everything is available online. Students have a lot of resources to choose from, and there are even online classes offered to people around the world. There’s no excuse for unfinished projects or assignments in this day and age as everything is readily available on the Internet.
Improved Communication
People have been using technology for communication. In the old days, you have to mail a letter and wait days if not weeks to receive a reply. Now, there’s a lot of programs and apps that give us the best, instant, and effective communication with friends, family, workmates, and even strangers. We have e-mails, social networks, video streaming services such as Skype, Zoom, and Facetime. There is a lot to choose from. It isn’t that hard to communicate with someone who is at the other end of the world, of course, it doesn’t replace physical interaction, but it sure has made it easier for us.
Improved Business Interactions and Transactions
Internally, it makes business easier to handle. Whether it’s the effective communication between employees or more organized systems in place that handles the nitty-gritty of a company, there’s no question that technology makes it better. Externally as well, the technology that we have has made it more convenient and more accessible for customers and clients to their transactions, such as online banking, online shopping, or applying for jobs. Thus, business always needs to keep up with technology.
While there is no denying the benefits we get from technology, there is a growing concern for its negative impacts:
Depletion of Natural Resources
Technology advances as time passes by. And with the latest and new technologies and gadgets that large companies and manufacturers are releasing, there is a high demand for people to get their hands on the newest technology. Hence, manufacturers are likely to increase their supply to meet these demands. But to produce these gadgets and other technologies, some materials will come from our natural resources. The result of this is natural resources are vulnerable from exploitation.
Detachment
Devices or gadgets are addictive. Nowadays, it’s becoming more difficult to disengage from technology. We are usually on our phones, even on dinners and social gatherings. Society has become more and more detached in the real world. We care more about what we post online than what we do in real life.
There should always be a balance. We should enjoy what technology has offered our society, but it’s also important to be cautious and mindful of it if we feel that it’s negatively affecting our lives.
