technology Is there an issue with the technology age?

[BronyPony 575]

You have probably met those people who think that technology is the end of all and will turn everyone into a vegetable brain-washed drone that will do anything they are told and will always have no-life. And then there are people who praise technology and state that we are merely entering a technological revolution where humans are adapting to a new environment and we will soon evolve into a species that greatly deals with technology dealing with communication and daily life.

 

I would have to agree...with both. Here is a list of reasons why I believe so. First, the end of things by technology.

 

1. More energy drain: Of course technology requires much energy to run. Humans do as well, but we have to admit technology drains much energy to process much information. This can be fixed, however, when new energy resources are found(nuclear fission).
2. Dependability: Our species will continue to rely on technology to accomplish daily tasks and soon lose touch with reality. We need skills that do not involve technology, especially if there is an emergency situation where electronics do not work...at all.
3. Less brain power, more computer power: Problems will arise with evolution. Since our species will become more dependent on technology, the brain will be less required. Though I could be wrong on this one, the IQ of humanity will continue to decrease with exceptions over the years when we become so dependent on computers. For example, a majority of the United States now cannot even multiply and will rely on electronic devices to carry out the calculations.
4. Eye sight will worsen: According to the statistics of the Department of Health and Human Services, 14 million people through out the United States have visual impairments and it is increasing rapidly(http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/may2006/nei-09.htm). Many studies show that digital screens and long periods of staring at computer screens can cause many visual impairments(http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/computer-vision-syndrome).
5. Health of the human species will decrease: Computers do not require much movement of the body, as many would know. This can bring many problems, such as loss of muscle and many problems dealing with bodily function caused by the lack of movement. As technology improves, movement of the human body is decreasing slowly. Less people are finding it essential to excersize(which I admit I am one of these type of people). Though our medical advancements are recovering for this, the human body can only take so much.
6. Our bodies will become useless: As trends show, the most important job fields that get paid the most do not require much excersize and people are running low on time to do such activities to keep their bodies moving to keep them fit.

Now, here are some good things about the technological revolution:

1. Way faster computation: working in the field of mathematics and computer science, computation of equations is becoming easier. Tasks are becoming simpler, which means there will be an increase of discovery within the fields that require MASSIVE computations.
2. Artificial Intelligence Development: It is one of the heights of today. AI is becoming a popular branch within the computer science realm and it is developing quickly. It will help us explore the outer reaches of the Universe to the sub-particles within the quantum realm. it will definitely speed up the process of exploration.
3. A faster business world: Economy will be easier to recover. We will soon be able to predict with more accuracy the trend of economy, the market, and be able to fix economical problems within a flash(unless of course there is corruption).
4. Medical fields will advance quickly: More medical treatments for diseases, such as cancer, will be found quicker and easier. The age of the human species may increase along with this.
5. More easily accessible information: Instead of dealing with localization barriers, one could find information about any planet at any time at the seat of their desk.
6. The human species will build contraptions that will make humans stronger: Armor is already being built for humans to carry tons of steel and many other things.

Half of these are only futuristic concepts, but half of them are reality. Do you think the technological revolution is good or bad based on these and other pieces of information presented? 

[Inactive01 5,299]

I think the biggest problem with scientific advance is that people just progress for the sake of progressing. They don't have a clear direction in mind for humanity. Their only "direction" is money and the present. If they can get something for their efforts now, then they'll go for it, regardless of the ethical implications. 

 

Of course, I'm well aware that much of this undoing is due to the large companies who desire money. Think of the oil companies who have chosen to buy out solar power companies despite the fact they themselves state that they believe that solar power is going nowhere. They do that to force everyone to rely on oil and prevent the world from leaving its drastic direction towards global warming. 

 

So long as the direction is money and the present, the technological age will bring more bad than good. In our technology, we need to consider the ethical and social implications of the technologies. I can list off a whole bunch of techs that have serious implications in these regards and yet the scientific community moves so fast that the government just accepts it as progress, even though it can lead to detriment.