When we speak of the impact of
technology on society, we always talk about the positive effects of technology
and about how technology has made life easy. We talk about the Internet as an
information resource and a communication platform and conveniently ignore the
fact that an overexposure to it leads to Internet addiction. We often discuss
how technology has made life easy but easily forget that it has made us overly
dependent on it. Have you thought of the impact of technology from this point of
view? I am sure, most of you haven't. Let us look at this aspect of technology
here.
Think of the days when there were no computers and no modern means of transport.
Human life was highly restricted due to the unavailability of technological
applications. Daily life involved a lot of physical activity. Life of the common
man was not as luxurious as that of modern times, but he was more active.
Exercise was integrated into routine physical activities. It was contrary to the
sedentary lifestyle of today, which leaves no time for exercise and fills days
with inactivity and laze. Today we don't want to, and thanks to the advancement
of technology, don't even need to walk, move around, or exert ourselves
physically to great extents in order to get things done. We have the world at
our fingertips.
We think of technology as a boon to society. I am afraid; it's not completely a
boon. The Internet has bred many unethical practices, like hacking, spamming and
phishing. Internet crime is on the rise. The Internet, being an open platform
lacks regulation. There is no regulation on the content displayed on websites.
Internet gambling has become an addiction for many. Overexposure to the Internet
has taken its toll. In this virtual world, you can be who you are not, you can
be virtually living even after you die. Isn't this weird? Children are spending
all their time playing online and less or almost no time playing on the ground.
Youngsters are spending most of their time social networking, missing on the
joys of real social life.
Think of the days when there were no online messengers, no emails, and no cell
phones. Indeed cellular technology made it possible for us to communicate over
wireless media. Web communication facilities have worked wonders in speeding
long-distance communication. On the other hand, they have deprived mankind of
the warmth of personal contact. Emails replaced handwritten letters and
communication lost its personal touch. With the means of communication so easily
accessible, that magic in waiting to reach someone and the excitement that
followed have vanished.
Moreover, we have become excessively dependent on technology. Is so much of
dependency good? Is it right to rely on machines to such an extent? Is it right
to depend on computers rather than relying on human intellect? Computer
technology and robotics are trying to substitute for human intellect. With the
fast advancing technology, we have started harnessing artificial intelligence in
many fields. Where is the digital divide going to take us? How is our 'tomorrow'
going to be? 'Machines replacing human beings' does not portray a rosy picture,
does it? It can lead to serious issues like unemployment and crime. An excessive
use of machines in every field can result in an under-utilization of human
brains. Over time, we may even lose our intellectual abilities. You know of the
declining mathematical abilities in children due to use of calculators since
school, don't you?
The impact of technology on society is deep. It is both positive and negative.
Technology has largely influenced every aspect of living. It has made life easy,
but so easy that it may lose its charm one day. One can cherish an
accomplishment only if it comes after effort. But everything has become so
easily available due to technology that it has lost its value. There is a
certain kind of enjoyment in achieving things after striving for them. But with
everything a few clicks away, there is no striving, there's only striking. With
the developments in technology, we may be able to enjoy all the pricey luxuries
in life but at the cost of losing its priceless joys.