Technology is Changing the World: Is That Good or Bad?
There’s no doubt about it. Technology is having a dramatic impact on the world as we know it. However, the change it brings with it has many people wondering if this is a good thing or a bad thing. To put it succinctly, the answer is unequivocally maybe. While that may seem ambiguous, so are the risks and rewards of such technology. Ultimately, while tech has impacted us for the better, it has also undeniably bred negative characteristics in society.
Kaleem KirkpatrickDec 18, 20219271 Shares356572 Views
There’s no doubt about it. Technology is having a dramatic impact on the world as we know it. However, the change it brings with it has many people wondering if this is a good thing or a bad thing. To put it succinctly, the answer is unequivocally maybe. While that may seem ambiguous, so are the risks and rewards of such technology. Ultimately, while tech has impacted us for the better, it has also undeniably bred negative characteristics in society.
It is no secret that breakthroughs in technology are being implemented every day as quickly as they are being discovered. With an ever-changing and ever-progressing world, it’s only fitting that the ever-progressing field of tech is accelerating that change in our society. But do the pros outweigh the cons as it pertains to how tech has affected our lives? Below outlines the pros and cons of technology and its effect on everyday life. You be the judge.
Pro: Convenience
Advancements in tech have brought most of what we need to our fingertips. Especially in the case of tasks requiring immediate solutions, technology provides us with the convenience and efficiency necessary to fulfill most tasks. With purchases, communication, and even falling in love being a click or tap away, most tasks are available from the comfort of your own home.
Con: Convenience
No, it’s not a typo. For although convenience can be a pro, ease of access can be equally harmful. Studies from the University of British Columbia determined that the human brain is naturally attracted to sedentary tasks and behaviors. Adding screens and technology at our fingertips only feeds this attraction and desire for an inactive lifestyle. Added convenience further supplies easier opportunities to spend money without moving a muscle.
Pro: Work And Social Training
Businesses have been very quick to utilize new tools in employee training and development. In-depth training, such as OSHA 30, has implemented cutting-edge courses to properly equip each worker. These advancements have established the foundation for safer work and social environments across the globe. Gone are the days of insignificant orientation videos that provided little or no information to help you succeed.
Con: Decreased Social Interaction
In a world run by technology, the desire for social interaction has plummeted to disturbingly low levels. Researchers have found extended screen time contributes to brain waves with activity similar to addiction, and these same nerve fibers are linked to a decreased desire for physical interaction and communication. One study revealed that up to 31% of Americans prefer texting to vocal communication. This declining desire for social interaction leads to both emotional and physical detachment from society.
Pro: Business Growth
The implementation of modern tech has increased and revolutionized business productivity. Whether through signatures, meetings, or money managementsoftware for company vitals, technology makes it available with a single tap. Even the ability to have a meeting at any moment has become an expected option. Even self-checkout tech for consumers has increased sales by a monumental margin. All these factors, accelerated by technology, have business cohesion and expansion flourishing in the digital era.
Con: Customer Service Interaction
Businesses would argue chatbots and other artificial intelligence (AI) customer service resources are a necessity. However, what they may save in time, convenience, and financial resources is sacrificed in lacking personability and customer attentiveness. General response software cannot wholeheartedly resolve personalized customer service issues the same way as an attentive human response can.
To further expound upon this, a survey of 1,000 people by Enterprise Treasure Datafound that 80 percent of customers prefer human interaction. Trying to slog through their grievances with a chatbot can only further serve to frustrate and alienate them. This highlights the fact that although technology drives businesses in positive ways, there are some personable interactions that studies show consumers clearly prefer.
The Determining Factor
Technology affects every person in different ways. What may be considered a tool for some can also be a vice for others. The fact remains, though, nearly all of us are both positively and negatively affected by technology. Many of us could even agree that tech gadgets can be addictive. Nonetheless, it is up to you to come to terms with whether or not technology is more of a problem than a boon. Perhaps the real question is, can our unquenchable fixation for tech be held in check enough to consider it an asset?
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