Technology – Where Are We Going?
Technology - Where are we going?
The Oxford dictionary describes technology as “The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry”. Or we can say that any scientific development or invention or research which is done to make human life easy is known as technology.
In past 100 years, science & technology has made significant discoveries which are unbelievable. After world war – II science & technology has made so much advancement which we have not done in our entire existence. How can we do so much advance development in just a span of 80 odd years?
I believe that this sudden technological advancement does not fit our evolution process. On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk with their first powered aircraft. The Wright brothers had invented the first successful airplane in 1903 & on 20th July 1969 Armstrong became the first person to land on moon.
In just 63 years from first flight we landed on moon. This is really unbelievable -Only 63 years?
But the question which arises now is technology really a boon for human civilization or the negative impacts of our technological advancement are more. The negative impacts of technology can be majorly seen in environment & our lifestyle:
ENVIRONMENT
The main negative effect of our technological advancement can be seen in our environment. The natural resources are finite & we want infinite growth from finite available resources.
Pollution is increasing at a rapid pace. We are polluting air & water, forest cover has decreased considerably in past 100 years. Many flora & fauna species are extinct & many are on verge of extinction, the global temperature is increasing all these have led to increase in natural calamities like folds & drought are common feature.
I feel all of us are aware of it so I am not elaborating it.
LIFESTYLE
As earlier also stated the aim of technology should be to make human life easy. I agree it has done so but at what cost?
The main aim of technology is to make life easy but now it looks like we are becoming slaves of technology. In Hindu culture we have a tradition that when we get up in the morning we
pray to god. But now what is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Check your mobile! Is our cell phone so important?
Due to advancement in technology our current generation is facing is isolation. Though we are connected on social media like whatsapp, facebook, twitter, Instagram etc. but we are getting more isolated from human interaction. We have built one world of social media and we are lost in it.
Day by day new diseases are affecting humans. Blood pressure, sugar & heart attack are a common feature now a days. Now even children are prone to these ailments which were a rarity a century ago.
We are playing with nature. To increase the productivity, we are using chemical fertilizers, modified seeds & plant growth regulators. The end result is that though we have achieved to increase production but the chemicals have entered our ecosystem which in turn lead to various diseases.
The all above stated issues we are facing. Now let’s discuss some of current technological projects on which our scientists are working & what effect can it have on our civilization.
DESIGNER BABIES
The literal definition of designer baby is “a human embryo which has been genetically modified, usually following guidelines set by the parent or scientist, to produce desirable traits. This is done using various methods, such as germline engineering or preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)”
Genetically modified -> guidelines set by the parent -> produce desirable traits
What is this? Where are we going? Are we creating another superior race which will rule us?
If scientists are to be believed parents of designer babies can decide:
- Higher life expectancy
- Gender of child
- Positive attitude of child
- Reduced chances of genetic disorder
- Physical traits of baby
Let's assume today 2 babies are born. One is a designer baby & other natural.
After 15 years won’t naturally born baby will literally feel demoralized when he will see that he is lagging behind designer baby?
Why we are challenging nature? What we want & where we want to go?
Are we planning to create a superior human race which will rule us in near future?
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Artificial intelligence is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience.
Controlled robot -> perform tasks -> associated with intelligent beings
Some scientists believe that advance artificial intelligence machines could operate as high above human beings. The same way like human is above animals as on date. If it happens then there may be a big change in human civilization. It will be AI machines which will be superior to us & it will be their choice weather to co exist with humans or rule the human race.
Some of negative aspects of AI are:
- Major work will be done by computers so there will be no jobs left for human beings. There will be increase in unemployment which will further create distress in society.
2. In many law & auditing firms we are already seeing decrease in employment opportunities.
3. As seen partially with smartphones and other technology already, humans can become too dependent on AI and lose their mental capacities.
Its high time that we should introspect negatives & positives of technology & we should not become slaves of technology.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2019 Amit Dogra
