Technology often Creates New Problems

Technology solves many problems, but in the process often creates new problems. Describe a specific situation in which a technology might not create a new problem. Discuss what you think determines when a technology's benefits outweigh its potential problems. The surge of technological innovations in the 21st century has drastically changed life as we know it--at least in the developed world. For instance, most people rely on electronic means of communicating with others and getting information. In the past, one's sources of news was quite limited and reaching others in the opposite end of the world took several months, as opposed to the click of the button. While technology has simplified life to an extent, it also creates new problems. For example, people can misappropriate technology to further their evil intent. More commonly, technology has caused people to become lazy and not be able to do basic things requiring common sense. As the saying goes, there are two sides of one coin and technology is no exception to the rule. While technology can help make our lives efficient, it can also be misused in a way that will harm people. For instance, the internet has helped educate people and become more informed about the world around them. On the other hand, it has also spread information that allows people to commit evil --such as creating a homemade bomb. Governments have also used technology in damaging ways, including dropping bombs on civilian populations. The same base material used to create nuclear bombs can also be used in a relatively benign manner, including providing a source of energy for millions of households. Indeed, most technology can be used to both solve problems and create harm. Technology has helped make people more efficient by allowing them to specialize in their trade. Long gone are the days when each family would plant their own food, make their own clothes, construct their house, etc. People have now delegated these tasks to companies and technology has played a big part in making this possible. On the other side of the coin, the availability of technology has created a generation of lazy people that cannot do any sort of manual labor---even to the point of having to drive their car to a place that is only 10 minutes away walking distance. Many people cannot even prepare their own meals or sew a button--tasks considered basic in the past and essential to survival. Of course, technology need not create problems only if people are aware of its limitations and do not depend on it for survival. When allowing technology to enter the marketplace, creators and perhaps policy makers (in the case of something dangerous on its face) should think deeply about how to best use technology in a peaceful and non-destructive manner. Sometimes technology can do more harm than good (e.g., the nuclear bomb) and everything should be done to keep it from being distributed. Other types of technology's benefits may outweigh the potential harmful effects. Granted, it is difficult to control how technology is used since there exists people who cannot be stopped from their determination to do harm in the world. Given this, it is important that governments provide the correct incentives to make sure that people use technology in the most appropriate way possible. This may include regulating technology and punishing people who do not use it correctly. Schools should also take responsibility of training young people how to use technology and also not let it take over their lives. Indeed, people should never take the presence of technology for granted and be fully aware of how they are using it in their lives--so not to create additional harm.