Technology has been advancing significantly across the world since the beginning of the twentieth century. Technology started in the developed countries and advanced exponentially. Today, even third-world countries have embraced it, and they are now termed developing countries. There have been many changes in the world following the growth of technology. These changes brought about by technology have brought a huge impact on the lives of human beings. There have been both positive and negative effects. This article will learn some of the remarkable long-lasting positive effects of technology and the negative ones.
Positive Effects of Technology
Improved productivity
It has always been the dream of a human being to do his/her activities within the shortest time possible. This has been enhanced by technology because working has become easier. A task that could be done by many people and for a long time can now is conducted by a single machine within a short period of time. This has perked productivity and efficiency in various industries and sectors. A good example is the manufacturing industry, where many products can now be produced within a short time to fulfill human beings’ needs. Vital services like healthcare have also improved because of technology. Generally, life has grown to be smooth and comfortable with the help of technology.
Improved communication
Earlier on, there was a big problem in communication among human beings. It was difficult to communicate with someone who was far from another because there was no elaborate communication mechanism. However, with technology, everything has improved as the world has turned into a village. Nowadays, you can communicate with someone who is overseas and interact with him/her like he/she is in your presence. Messages can now be delivered within some seconds, and communication has improved. The presence of software and applications has made the communication to be more efficient. Traditional forms of communication like postal and letter usage have been replaced with reliable and quick software and apps.
Improved connection
The only way that the world could grow was through the coordination of the people living in it. People had to share ideas and develop strategies on how they can develop the world to make it the best place to live. The connection has been enhanced by technology. Civilization is now available in almost all countries, and this is because of technology. The leaders of various countries can also interact and share ideas on improving the progress of their individual countries. It is now possible to speak your vernacular through technology, and the other person can hear what you are saying in his /her own language. A person in one geographical location can also know what is happening in another country/area through technology. Business people are now coordinated and they can work together to improve the business sector in the world.
Improved economy
Since human beings are now coordinated and work together, it has been possible to improve the world’s economy. The current economic status in the world is different from the status that was there before technology. This is also evident in developing countries. The things that are now happening in developing countries did not exist previously. Some of the developing countries have established their manufacturing industries, and they are now producers of various products, making them improve their economy. With the help of technology, education, health care, agriculture, natural resources exploitation, religion, and other sectors have advanced significantly.
Negative Effects of Technology
Social effects
There have been increased behavioral changes among people following technology advancement in the world. Human beings’ social life has been affected a lot because many people are now spending time alone. The spread of smartphones and online platforms has made people isolate themselves from others. You will find a youth spending the whole day inside because he/she is busy on social media platforms or the internet. This has resulted in the development of behavioral and emotional conditions among many people. Since there is reduced interaction with other people, it is difficult for an isolated person to thrive when placed in a social setting. Emotional conditions like low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence have also perked in the current generation. The situation will worsen if nothing is done. Cases of immorality have increased in the current generation, and it will continue to be worse if nothing is done. Technology has facilitated this because various platforms support this, and immoral actions have turned into business nowadays.
Health problems
Since the inception of technology, there have risen various health conditions, some acute and others chronic. Diseases like cancer have been associated with the machinery and electronic devices that people are using. With technology, scientists can also create viruses and cause health hazards to the world. There are also health conditions that have been indirectly linked with technology. For example, insomnia, stress, dementia, and depression. These are conditions that can arise because of using electronic devices like laptops and the internet. The use of the internet has also played a major role in compromising the lives of many people. A good example is cyberbullying in social media networks, which has made a lot of people commit suicide. Some have committed suicide because of the media influence. This was evident during the time of corona when people were seen committing suicide following the pandemic’s negative news.
Environmental problems
The climate of the world is not the same as it was initially. Technology has brought about adverse climatic changes to the world. The ozone layer has been depleted by the carbon monoxide gasses emitted by the manufacturing industries’ heavy machinery. The world is polluted by the use of plastics and other non-biodegradable products. These environmental changes have affected other human beings and also other living things in the world.
Conclusion
It is now crystal clear that technology has brought a lot of positive impact to the world. However, it has also caused menaces and long-term problems that need people to think widely to come with long-lasting solutions.