Does technology assist or harm our future? 

Technology was born through trial and error to find alternatives to make life simpler. Over time, the invention of the light bulb, the telephone, and even radio technology have played significant roles in our lives, information industrialization, and even our health. The advantages of technology have made our lives more efficient and solved many problems that have affected our lives.

Every day, technology is becoming an important aspect of our lives, present in almost every aspect of our existence. From the creation of the wheel by Carl Benz in the late 1800s to the latest innovations in AI (artificial intelligence), humans are defined by an unwavering desire to keep creating technological progress, and we depend on it too. Throughout the years, technology has evolved from simple tools to complex tools that improve our quality of life, changing the way we communicate, work, play, and interact with the environment around us. The fast pace of innovation has resulted in levels of connectivity, facilitating immediate communication and collaboration on a global scale never seen before by our ancestors. Nonetheless, these technological advances have their challenges, particularly concerns about privacy, inequality, and the ethical issues of new technologies. However, as we navigate the digital age, one thing is clear: technology is and will continue to guide us to our collective future.

Science and technology mark the beginning of a new age for us. Each year brings new advancements and discoveries, each of which impacts our daily lives. The entire world evolves and changes instantly. When technology affects us, we also influence the development of technology. To support this statement, I have chosen an example from one of my sources, “Future of Scientific Technology in Society.” This source will provide evidence to substantiate my claim. “The sense of entitlement among scientists can be traced back to the 1870s, with the various ‘endowment of science’ movements in the UK, France, and Germany. These movements established science as a valuable institution and led to increased funding for scientific research. This sense of entitlement has been reinforced over time as science has become more institutionalized and has received more funding and support from various governments.” This example shows that people and society are adopting the advances made by technology, trying to make it work in their way, and ensuring they have a proper understanding of its uses and how it exists to help us and make our lives easier. It also ensures that there are no risks involved with science and technology. The source “Future of Science and Technology in Society” provides information on how humanity has accepted and adapted to technology in a way that is bringing change to us and the entire world. I believe technology will continue revolutionizing our way of life until the end of time.

In this world, many people believe that technology is the future, promising luxury and success. However, others view technology as a source of destruction and calamity, bringing death and despair wherever it goes. These contrasting views make people uncertain about the future as technology grows and develops rapidly. An online source, “Is modern technology killing us?” provides evidence supporting the claims that technology can be harmful and that our future might be overrun with dangers caused by technology. The article states, “The problem with technology is that most innovations have unintended consequences, and those unintended consequences are piling up, causing harm and creating dangers of existential magnitude. We turn a blind eye to those dangers and uncritically presume that, for all but the creepiest technologies (such as animal cloning), the benefits outweigh the risks and that technological innovation is humanity’s highest calling.” This example illustrates how technology negatively impacts our lives, leading to doubts about its use and purpose. The evidence stated above validates many concerns and fears, but, it is also important to remember that technology can provide us with a better life beyond what people’s fears and rumours suggest.

Another reason why technology supports our future is because technologies have emerged that allow us to attend classes without having to commute. As the text describes, one of the advantages of attending class without having to commute is that it allows the student to engage in class when in-person classes are not ideal for that person (Florenthal, 2019). As this world becomes more expensive, everyday, working-class students, who represent the majority of the population, need to work in order to pay for tuition and their everyday expenses. This means that often their schedule will not allow for on-ground learning due to their necessity. With online courses, they are able to access quality classes without being physically present. This is important because not allowing students to have access to online classes means that the system is discriminating against the working-class student population by not allowing them to make a living and study simultaneously.

Additionally, technology aids our future by enabling us to harness the potential of waste. For many years, garbage was transported to landfills where it would remain for extended periods. Unfortunately, many elements, such as plastic, are not biodegradable and pose a significant threat to the environment due to their longevity in these sites. However, thanks to modern technology, scientists have developed a process that converts waste into energy. According to eia.gov, “For every 100 pounds of municipal solid waste in the United States, about 85 pounds can be burned as fuel to generate electricity.” This represents a significant advancement for humanity and technology, suggesting that there is hope for slowing climate change through technological progress.

Finally, our lives are being transformed by technology. Its impact is felt in both simple and complex ways, including artificial intelligence. While it facilitates our work and interactions, it also introduces significant issues such as privacy and inequality. Fortunately, like all things in life, technology has its pros and cons. It can help solve critical problems, from making education more accessible to raising environmental awareness. In summary, despite the challenges technology presents, we always have the ability and opportunity to leverage it to improve everyone’s lives.