Technology

Hargee M.
Iligan City East High School
The Philippines

Technologies are important to us human beings. People depend on these technologies. Through these technologies, our work is made easy and fast. Despite of these advantages, it also has bad effects on our ecosystem, especially on humans. But what is this technology about?

Technology is a broad concept that deals with a species' usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how this affects its ability to control and adapt to its environment. In human society, it is a consequence of science and engineering, although several technological advances predate the two concepts.

Technology is a term with origins in the Greek technologia, techne, (meaning 'craft') and logia (meaning 'saying'). However, a strict definition is elusive; 'technology' can refer to material objects of use to humanity, such as machines, hardware or utensils. It can also encompass broader themes, including systems, methods of organization, and techniques. The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include 'construction technology', 'medical technology' or 'state-of-the-art technology'.

People's use of technology began with the conversion of natural resources into simple tools. The prehistoric discovery of the ability to control fire increased the available sources of food and the invention of the wheel helped humans in travelling in, and controlling, their environment. Recent technological developments, including the printing press, the telephone and the internet, have lessened physical barriers to communication and allowed humans to interact on a global scale. However, not all technology has been used for peaceful purposes - the development of weapons of ever-increasing destructive power has progressed throughout history, from clubs to nuclear weapons.

Technology has affected society and its surroundings in a number of ways. In many societies, technology has helped to develop more advanced economies (including today's global economy) and has allowed the rise of a leisure class. Many technological processes produce unwanted by-products, known as pollution and deplete natural resources, to the detriment of the Earth and its environment. Various implementations of technology influence the values of a society and new technology often raises new ethical questions. Examples include the rise of the notion of efficiency in terms of human productivity, a term originally applied only to machines and the challenge of traditional norms.

Philosophical debates have arisen over the present and future use of technology in society, with disagreements over whether technology improves the human condition or worsens it. Neo-Luddism, anarcho-primitivism, and similar movements criticise the pervasiveness of technology in the modern world, claiming that it harms the environment and alienates people. Proponents of ideologies such as transhumanism and techno-progressivism view continued technological progress as beneficial to society and the human condition. Indeed, until recently, it was believed that the development of technology was restricted only to human beings. However, recent scientific studies indicate that other primates and certain dolphin communities have developed simple tools and learned to pass their knowledge to other generations

(see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology)

Based on my opinion of these technologies, I can say that it's a THREAT. Though they give us great advantages, they give off many disadvantages, too. As you can observe in our Earth today, the ozone layer has been depleted and all forms of living things are suffering from this problem, especially the human beings. For example, cars emit gases which are not favorable on the environment. Though environmental friendly cars have now been invented, they are not 100% friendly. They also give off small amounts of carbon monoxide, still depleting the ozone layer. As years go by, the threats are increasing. Soon, it will not be able to be stopped. Which do you prefer - your temporary recreation or your lifelong happiness? Of all this problems, one thing we can do is to care and be aware of what we've made.

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