Technology and Social Change

In the 21st century nothing has been more influential on the human race than technology has. Technology is a part of anything and everything and the thought of no technology would be considered the apocalypse. Two women, Jane McGonigal, a video game designer, and Sherry Turkle, a technology professor at MIT, both have their own perspectives on technology and how it impacts emotions. McGonigal’s main focus is how video games can be used as a model on how we as humans can make this world a better place. Turkle’s studies are focused on how technology such as cell phones, online avatars, and social media make a whole generations personal development different from past generations. McGonigal is extremely optimistic towards the idea of not only video games but technology as a whole being a huge impact on the improvement of earth’s population. Turkle is more skeptical on technology bringing up thought evoking questions regarding whether technology and its effects on us should be considered good or bad. Even with their contrasting topics both of these women are trying to show how the technology of everyday life alter the emotions. Turkle and McGonigal’s ideas are comparative regarding the emotional effect on people using alternate realities being positive and they also agree that technological communication has become a tool for emotional benefit in society, but their technological views differ on how technology will help us mature as a person.

Technology is everywhere. People have become so infatuated with technology that they forget there was a time where we didn’t have any. A lot of the technology we see today such as: TVs, computers, and cellphones, came about during the 1900s starting off as boxes you constantly had to fool with to make work. As time progressed people sought ways to make them better and better. Today, technology has developed into one of the most prominent things. Technology influences the way we do things. For example, back in the day we would write letters to communicate back and forth with each other; as opposed to today where we can communicate via text message, phone call, or direct messaging. It also rules out a lot of things. For example, instead of reading a newspaper you could view the news via television or cellphone.

Close your eyes, Now imagine the world without all the technology we have today. Hard to imagine right? Anyone born in the Twenty-first century has grown to know modern technology. From the printing press to the iPhone 7, We have all used and grown accustomed to the benefits of modern technology.

This report will examine how changes in technology are affected by society, in turn, how the society that produced this technology is impacted by this creation. The paper will specifically address the impact of personal computers, cell phones, and the internet on society, and how these technological advancements relate to the three major sociological perspectives; equilibrium model, digital divide, and cultural lag.

Technology has hindered the American society by making people more self-centered, selfish, and boastful. One of the ways that people are more self-centered is through social media. 7 Deadly

Over the years, technology has become a great advancement that has led us towards a new way to live our life. We can see that the use of technology has increased as time has passed. Kids as young as 4 years old are exposed to technology such as tablets in order to entertain them. Not only has technology created a way to entertain people, but has also created a way to motivate others, become a convenient tool for those with a limited amount of time and a reliable source for other things. We have become more dependent on technology because of the different ways it can be used such as on the go or right at home. The truth is that technology has positively impacted the lifestyle of Americans.

1) Based on the resources provided above, how would you define technology? Be sure to use your own words!

Nicholas Carr wrote an interesting article about why social media is not good. He does have some solid points about this. For instance the kids of today do not go outside much anymore and do not know what hard work is. Most kids nowadays stay inside on Snapchat and instagram. I believe that kids are getting sucked into their phones and do not go outside as much. I also believe that they do not know what it is like to work hard. But i believe that it is good to be able to keep contact with your friends and family even if they are on the other side of the world. As well as showing them what you are up to. Carr says that this superabundance of personal information can create an oppressive sense of “digital crowding”. I have to say that he

American technology has become an enormous influence in each other’s life. Everybody uses their smartphone and laptops for about anything that they want to search up. Some people go into websites that give them cookies that are good or bad for your device. Plenty of people around the world uses social media to contact their family members and friends around the world. Most Americans in today's society are just too lazy to go to the library and do it themselves. Now we have a smartphone in today's society to give people the right answer for it. Having technology makes people become lazy, ignorant, isolated and begin to gain trust issues.

Technology is used on a daily basis to accomplish specific tasks or interests. Modern technology increases human capabilities and this technology has evolved with years. Technology simplifies life in so many ways and everyone defines technology in their own way. They’re new types of technology on the market, this technology simplifies our daily lives. They’re endless demands as consumers of technology, people use technology to accomplish simple tasks every day. Technology’s used in business, education, communication, healthcare, entertainment and so much more. There’s an unquestionable impact of technology on society. Whether considering the plow, vaccinations, or the internet, technology has had a huge impact on society. While not every advance benefits society, there’s many positive effects of technology. Modern technology makes life more convenient now more than ever. Modern technologies like broadband internet makes it possible to access relevant information at any time anywhere. Today’s technology makes it simple for students to learn from anywhere through online education and mobile education, which improves the education system. It also improves the health system, most hospitals have implemented modern technology in surgical rooms, which may reduce the number of mistakes made by doctors. Modern technology’s more convenient than when it was simpler because, it provides an easy way to access information, improves the education system, and it improves the health system.

Technology has played an integral part in shaping society in many different ways. Throughout history, technological inventions have changed everything from the way humans are clothed and fed to the very ways we communicate and interact as a species. Examining the effects technology has on society illustrate both how technology shapes culture and society and how society can affect future technology. This can be seen by examining a few of the major technological innovations in human history followed by a look at a new technology and how it may shape future society.

While many people put off and ignore the issue of social media and its downfalls, others say that people should think about how our lives are being affected by this advancement in technology, including, lack of human contact and precious time being lost due to consumption with social media. Social media is currently a highly controversial topic in which numerous people have mixed feelings. Society has typically viewed new advancements in technology as beneficial and a sign of success within their country. But, has it solely caused successful outcomes, or are there downfalls to these advancements?

Predicting about the future, Albert Einstein once said, “I fear that the day technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots." This quote does apply for this current generation, a generation that relies on technology for almost everything. Is that a bad thing? Are we those idiots Albert Einstein is talking about? Well that depends on how much we depend on technology on our daily lives. Most people agree that no matter how much excessive it gets, technology is the best thing discovered in the world thus far. On the other hand, others think too much technology is a major tool for people to ignore reality and sink deeper into an imaginative world. Since everyone has to keep up with modern lifestyle, they have to know how to manipulate some sort of technology, but if they don 't know when and how to gain control of it, they will be led to an obsessive life style. Although some people claim that social media has a positive psychological effect to those who have difficulties in the actual world, others argue that unlimited social media usage is an addiction: an addiction causing neurological complications, psychological disturbances, Social and family problems that need serious mental treatment in order to live stable life style.

Technology has played a pivotal role in the socioeconomic development of virtually every modern country. Technology allows humanity to do more with less, thereby speeding up the pace of production and accomplishment. It changes the perception of the nation-state, giving significantly more power to emerging multinational corporations. As a result, governments no longer have as much control over their citizens, whose jobs, households, and futures are controlled by these large companies.

With this new glass of Merlot by my side, I sit and wonder at the amazement of technology. Each velvety sip opens me up in my corner a little more just as technology has done so for the world. But now I must go off and ponder further on into an important philosophical question of whether this technology, endless as it has come to be, should be considered as a thing that has brought out the best or the worst in society. How complex a question! Surely I could easily look back fondly and count the many ways that technology and its manifold presence has been nothing but a blessing, not only to facilitating human kind, but also our intrinsic pursuit of society. But now, as easy as that might be, it would be a more healthy venture to play the