In our global society and economy, technology is overwhelmingly deemed as inherently good. The rapid growth of this industry in the last ten years has not given any time to contemplate, analyze, or speculate the societal repercussions these expansive changes will have. We merely guess. We merely imagine, with childlike faith (sometimes fear). But we have no true historical insight, beyond the recent effects of industrialization, to draw our conclusions off of.
In the United States, as well as other developed countries, the average man has access to the newest innovations technology has to offer. Without any understanding of its functions, the processes of design or assembly, these changes are placed in his lap, exposed right at his fingertips, and posed as an additional tool that is supposed to add value to his life.
Those who are skeptical as to the value these new technologies add, have no true insight with which to base their criticisms. Their fears are easily argued and readily dismissed by innovators and users alike. A growing pressure on the general population then ensues- if you don't adopt these new technologies, you will be buried at the bottom of the ocean of change that is taking place right before your eyes. Technology screams to the modern man, "Quickly, take my hand! Please jump in my boat. You are sinking and if you don't get on now, it may be too late!"
It becomes our hero. Technology is making our lives far more brilliant than man could have imagined. It asks men to stop imagining, with exception of employing the utilities if offers. "Imagine with us". It is the ship sent to carry man to new frontiers and new futures. However, when we look at a larger frame of this illustration, technology is also the cause, unclear if through deliberate intention, of this flood.
We are witnessing entire industries being swallowed whole by technological innovations, especially through the digitization and automation of information. (I am going to name drop some companies. This is not out of disrespect or disapproval, but just to illuminate the gravity of what is currently taking effect.)
Google- through its super-database and alluring advertisement space is killing newspapers.
Amazon- is destroying electronic retailers- small and macro alike.
LinkedIn is all but eradicating the recruiting industry.
Spotify is wiping out record companies.
And these paramount changes are just the beginning of a massive paradigm shift we will soon face. This is just a beginning. These are just the adapters and changers who stand the best chance of thriving in this new digitized economy. The consumers are becoming the products. The private walls of urban life are crumbling behind our social media presence and online footsteps.
We live in a society that is gluttonous in its creativity. This is where technology thrives. Scientific innovations are trapped behind doors of political tension, philosophical implications, historical transitions, and ethical concerns. All the positive advances in this field must give due credit to the aid of technological advances. In fact, all schools of thought and human advancement must, at the very least, give a slight bow of gratitude to technology.
Its expanses are limitless. Its power-limitless. Its impact is limitless. It has no constraints. Those who try to confine it are too weak in their assertions to be helped. Those who are moving technology forward aren't necessarily pummeling over all skeptics, however. They soothe the doubters. "We understand your concerns and assure you, we've had the same convictions. We promise that we are taking every effort to ensure ethical standards are upheld." But ethical standards are largely determined by social norms. And social norms are being shaped and wielded by the introductions of these new technologies. So really, the assertion of ethical and moral integrity, are all but idealistic hopes. They have no full way of controlling their impact.
Should we forsake our new technology? Should we embrace every new innovation with full commitment? Most of our convictions fall somewhere between the two. The success of navigating through this quickly shaping world will be determined by our relentless questioning of the utility and impact of the tools set before us. We must not loose sight of humanity, and we must not loose sight of what's important.
I've always had a passion for history, so your essay sparked my thinking about past technological advances it history. Since I'm from the Detroit area I landed on the automobile first, the fear and criticism that came along with it, the doubters who said it wouldn't last, and where the car is today. What the emergent engineers couldn't foresee was the tricky future. The impact on the environment, the fuel source issues, etc. you can track the history of the telephone and the T.V. And see the same lack of foresight. I see that the common interest in all of these technological advances is that our society, our world, if you will, is playing out. We are heading towards something that has an almost magnetic effect. With each paradigm we must recalculate our ethical and moral compass so that we stay on track, stay vital and working for the good.
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