Technology is any solution, development or knowledge that facilitates life in society. And in the last half century, technological advances have been so important that they have even changed our way of living, communicating and relating.
Technology has brought great advantages for social development, but also disadvantages that are expressed individually and collectively.
Advantages of technology
Modern technology makes everyday life easier and has multiple positive aspects from which society benefits, such as:
1. Quick access to information
Access to information through technologies such as the web is practically instantaneous. This allows more and more people to have access to data that makes it possible to make better decisions, from the state of the weather to financial forecasts in a large corporation.
2. Access to multiple sources of knowledge
Technology, through the web and the use of devices, allows users to have access to any type of knowledge and for all levels of learning. This, together with the speed with which information can be found, is a valuable tool, especially in training processes.
3. Stimulates creativity
Today, there are many technological resources that allow creation in multiple fields (artistic, academic, musical, literary, cinematographic, computer science, etc.) From free software for image, audio and video editing, to 3D modeling tutorials.
Over time, these kinds of resources (which used to be very expensive) have become more accessible, helping to stimulate creativity and encourage new spaces and formats for creation.
4. Stimulate innovation
With technological advances come new challenges for society. And innovation makes it possible to create satisfactory and, in many cases, massive solutions. Distance education services or robotics applied to health are examples of this.
5. Promotes entrepreneurship
Another of the benefits of technology is that starting a business becomes much easier. There are many resources available, free or low cost, that make entrepreneurship more accessible. Today, to develop an idea, you can count on a remote multidisciplinary team, you can sell it online, you can seek financing anywhere in the world, etc.
6. Facilitates communication
Woman communicating via video conference.
Until well into the 1980s, most instant messaging services did not exist, and neither did video communications.
Internet access and technological improvements have brought about a shortening of distances that is reflected in the personal and economic sphere, positively influencing the workplace.
7. Allows for longer and faster trips
Another of the positive aspects of technology has to do with the development of solutions that make life in society easier. The progress of transport systems has been very notorious, and new alternatives are being proposed every time that allow more people to be transferred to new destinations and in less time.
The Japanese bullet trains are a tangible example, while space tourism (trips to the moon for entertainment purposes) are getting closer.
8. Simplify housework
The use of technology and the development of electrical appliances such as the washing machine, the vacuum cleaner or the microwave, simplified household chores. As time goes by, its design, utilities and efficiency improve, that is, obtain more and better functions by reducing its energy consumption.
Today, many domestic devices have an Internet connection and allow remote activation and control of heating, automatic doors, the security system and even the car.
9. More efficiency in industrial and administrative processes
Technology helps us increase productivity in industrial processes. It allows the manufacture of parts in massive quantities and in less time. On the other hand, technology makes it possible to control processes that were previously manual, which guarantees, among other things, fewer human errors and much more verifiable data in real time.
In administrative terms, cloud technology allows companies to free themselves from the expenses involved in IT infrastructure and guarantee the security of their data.
10. Enhance and increase entertainment media
The benefits of technology have influenced all areas of entertainment. From the services of streaming to live broadcasts on social networks and video games. In addition, it allows those who were previously consumers of content to now also be creators, which has influenced the communication dynamics and has expanded the entertainment options available.
Now not only are there more platforms to display the content, but each person can be their own means of communication.
11. Facilitates educational processes
Technology favors the approach of educational resources to inaccessible places. It allows more and more people to overcome the digital divide and join an interconnected world.
Distance education processes and augmented reality applied to education are examples of how modern technology can significantly influence academic training.
12. Allows the development of technical skills at an early age
Unlike other times, today it is very common for children to have access to technological devices and resources. This puts them in a position of advantage with respect to previous generations, since it stimulates the development of certain skills.
Currently it is common for children to show interest in programming, computing or the development of video games. This helps boost the technical capabilities of future professionals.
13. Create new jobs
With technological advances, problems arise that require innovative solutions. This creates new job opportunities, which drive economic development on multiple levels.
The growing development of online banking (fintech), for example, demands professionals linked to software engineering, UX development (user experience), specialists in data analysis, etc.
14. More affordable energy production
Another of the benefits of science and technology is the improvement in energy generation and distribution processes. This makes it accessible to a greater number of people, both from an economic and logistical point of view.
More and more developing countries have access to electricity thanks to installations based on renewable energy.
15. Increase in wages and profits
Technology helps us to carry out jobs, tasks and processes using less time and resources. This fact favors an increase in profits.
This increase has a proportional impact on the tax contribution, that is, the higher the profits, the higher the taxes. An increase in tax collection allows the State’s economy to grow and can continue to invest in scientific and technological development.
16. Improvements in healthcare systems
State-of-the-art surgical equipment.
The development of science and technology has meant an important advance for the optimization of health systems. The improvements benefit both patients and health professionals.
The care, diagnosis and treatment processes are increasingly efficient thanks to new tools, drugs and intervention systems.
17. Longer life expectancy
The increase in life expectancy is a direct consequence of the evolution of health systems. With better diagnostic techniques and medicines, it is possible to deal with diseases that could previously be fatal.
18. Increased production of goods
Industrialization brought about a technological revolution in production processes, a transformation of the economy, which began to broaden its horizons globally.
On the other hand, the application of modern technologies not only makes it possible to improve the production processes of already known goods and services, but also favors the creation of new products.
19. Help fight world hunger
Technology provides solutions to improve access to food and food security.
Technological and scientific development is put at the service of agriculture and livestock to improve their processes, to implement pest control and water treatment and purification systems.
These are some of the measures used with the aim of improving food production levels in less developed countries.
20. It favors the energy transition
Technology plays a fundamental role in transforming the energy landscape and in the fight against climate change.
There are measures such as the implementation of renewable energy production systems (solar panels for the generation of electricity and thermal energy) or digital technology, which develops applications to manage resources in a more sustainable way.
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Disadvantages of technology
Although we cannot deny the positive impact of technology on collective development, it has also brought disadvantages that affect individuals and even the planet. These are some of them:
1. It can negatively influence productivity
Inadequate handling of technology through mobile devices can generate inconveniences in the work, student and personal spheres, since it encourages distraction and procrastination.
Social networks and online games are two of the main distractors in classrooms and work environments. For this reason, in many cases, the use of devices or access to certain web pages is restricted.
2. It raises complex ethical dilemmas
The development of artificial intelligence (AI), for example, is raising dilemmas that previously seemed like science fiction. How should a future interaction between humans and AI be approached? Who will be in control of this type of technology? What will be the limits of these advances?
The technology applied to the development of massive weapons, or to medicine, also raises similar questions, such as their use, control and limitations. And although this is not a disadvantage in itself, if there are no clear guidelines in the present, it can generate problems in the future with negative consequences for society.
3. It can generate unemployment
In the near future, the mechanization of processes, especially in the manufacturing sector, may make human labor less and less necessary. This puts those who cannot access adequate technological training to face changes in labor dynamics (older people or people without access to education) in a delicate situation.
4. Stimulates isolation and loneliness
The use of technology through home devices facilitates isolation. It is no longer necessary to leave home to work, do the…