The adverse effects of Technology in our Society, and Environment

The adverse effects of Technology in our Society, and Environment

                There can be little doubt that advances in modern technology will change our world forever. As with anything, the changes brought about by technology will be both positive and negative. Currently, everything in the developed world, from banking and international finance, to education, to personal entertainment depends greatly on technology such as the internet, computers, cell phones, and other technological systems which we have come to rely on. This comes as both a blessing and a curse.  On a positive note, technology has, and is currently making our lives easier and more efficient. These days, even things like banking can all be done with a pocket sized Smartphone and 3G internet connection. However, the downside of all this is with technology and connections to the world so easily accessible, we often forget basic social skills which can lead to various social and emotional implications.

                Take this scenario: your wife comes home every day after work and spends upwards of six hours on a chat room. She feels great because she is meeting many new people, but she is forgetting about you, your family, and your shared household responsibilities. This is not an unrealistic scenario at all. Many people become attached to what could almost be seen as alternative families online.  People have been known to spend hours on these chat rooms, as well as online games such as World of Warcraft and there are many accounts of ruined relationships due to obsessions with excessive use of the internet. A similar example of this which many more people , (primarily those in high school and university) is social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, amongst others.  These are especially accessible because their so easy to use on mobile devices, which the majority of young people have. This means that if you have some form of smartphone, you are literally never disconnected from social networking. This can be a major distraction from real relationships and it can distract from important activities like school or work.

                Psychologically, addiction to technology can severely impact the social interaction skills of people due to lack of practice. This then transmits to negatively affecting society, because the individuals who make up society can no longer effectively interact with each other. Technology can also have adverse environmental impacts if discarded improperly. Many computerized devices contain heavy metals and materials which cannot break down and which are harmful to the environment. Future anthropologists will look upon the environmental degradation caused by our dependence on technology with distain. However, as with everything, we must attempt to pursue the lesser of two evils, and ironically, it is likely that future technological developments will assist in solving the problems which technology is currently creating for the environment.  And as we have done for thousands of years, humans will adapt to the changes technology is bringing both to society, and to individuals.