adminNgoni Taruvinga
OUR world today is changing fast due to the introduction and upgrading of technology. Most people say technology has brought positive results because of the improving social well- being in our societies. However, there are people who are sceptical about the positive changes that technology has brought about.
Technology has enhanced modern life in many ways two of them being communication and transportation.
Before the advent of the telegram and telephone, moving information from one place to another for long distances was quite challenging and unmanageable.
If we look at it today, information can be conveyed from one end to another swiftly within an instant. The global news networks have helped people all over the world through informing them.
For instance, news can be presented on what is happening on the other side of the world instantly, weather forecast and natural disasters are foretold before they occur.
Transportation means have improved significantly. Goods and people can be transported from one destination to another reliably and efficiently resulting in building up of the economy and social well-being of a country.
Technology has cut distance between people and brought the world together making our lives quite easy and convenient.
Education systems have improved quite well although some developing countries have obstacles on upgrading their technology because of other matters. It is now easier to do academic research or work because of the internet, television or using other specific types of advanced machinery.
As one Roman Catholic priest put it: “The information and knowledge of the Bible has taught quite a lot of people since the creation of Facebook and Twitter.”
Distance learning of certain programmes can also be done through the internet.
Medical institutions have improved in terms of examination, treatment and research all over the world, leading to improvements in life expectancy and mortality rates of many countries.
Treatments for many diseases, too many to outline, are being discovered.
Furthermore, preventive treatments are improving for previously deadly diseases like HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and cancer.
The introduction of new technology as well as upgrading of medical equipment has reduced the spread of these infectious diseases.
Due to new medical technology, the majority of the people in the world now have better knowledge of some of the world’s common killer diseases.
Technology has simplified our lives but in some ways it has also brought up some negative impacts. Although technology has improved medical treatment, it has brought danger to people’s lives.
For example, the creation of Genetically Modified Organisms are said to have contributed to the development of some cancerous infections. Technology also has harmed the environment in many ways.
Oils and fumes from vehicles and factories has caused air and water pollution causing the destruction of plants and animal life. Most people do not know that chemicals used in refrigerators contain fluorocarbons that contribute to global warming.
Schoolchildren these days are spending more time on social media than on their academic work or talking to their siblings or parents.
According to Dr David Volpi, who specialises in sleep and snoring problems, “heavy technology use is linked to fatigue, stress and depression in young adults”.
Although he does not explain how I would like to believe it is true. Technology has improved the search for information; students now just go online rather than physically going to the field or library.
Most things are now being done through the internet; that is shopping, school work, banking and work assignments. Because people do not move their bodies due to technology, it is literally killing our social behaviour.
Some people have become overly dependent on technology as a result making them lazy and ignorant of other aspects of life. Technology has simplified our lives but we should use it wisely knowing what can occur in the future as a result of its use.
Has technology simplified our lives or it has destroyed it? It’s now up to you to decide. But I urge you to think twice before you use it.
Online Reporter