[AJA Global Report] Convergence of Humanity and Technology

Technology is very helpful to us but unrelenting continual use of it may cause many problems. (Photo: Newsis)

The infiltration of technology into modern lifestyles can be viewed from two perspectives; the detractors may opine that it has become too important and we are overly dependent on technology, while those people who have embraced these technological incursions as part and parcel of daily living may view it as being indispensable.

From the time we wake up in the morning, our lives now revolve around technology. Many of us are awoken from our slumber by digital-alarm clocks, and we stumble out of bed and into a hot shower courtesy of a water heater.

Usually most of will eat breakfast in front of the television, or listen to the radio, or surf the internet for the latest daily news, or check our emails, before taking the car, bus, underground or sky-train to our various destinations.

To kill time en route to our school or office, and to avoid having to make any eye contact with fellow commuters, or dare I say, engage in a conversation with any human life forms, we immerse ourselves in our iPods, and check for sms messages or play applications on our mobile phone until we reach our destination.

At night, we still rely on technology for our food and entertainment. Electric appliances are used to rustle up sumptuous Thai or fusion dishes, which we wolf down while engaging in prolonged chats with our friends using our hi-tech smart phones, or via online messaging systems, or just stretch out for a spot of cable TV channel hopping.

However, this technological overload, while undoubtedly having a positive effect on our lives, is also not without its cons, not least, such heavy, unrelenting continual use of technology, can cause many problems.

Direct harm to humans

Health: Overuse of technology or using technology incorrectly can damage our health. For example, continual and prolonged use of a computer or a portable game console can result in a plethora of health issues, such as repetitive strain injuries (RSI), or the so-called Blackberry thumb disease, through overuse of the smartphone with the same name, or indeed other mobile phones.

Indirectly, the rising popularity of dating websites, can lead to casual relationships, which can also result in a number of unpleasant venereal diseases, or even AIDS.

Technology may also cause mental health problems, and lead to communication problems with family, friends or other people.

Lastly, the effects of using technology to engage in illegal and criminal activities such as hack into confidential information, sending out spam or phishing mail, or carrying out internet fraud, can range from annoying to devastating, with some people potentially at risk of losing their life savings after illegal breaches of their online banking accounts.

Economic, Social and Cultural Harm

Economic: Technology undoubtedly plays a significant part in permitting smooth communications and allowing countries to trade seamlessly with each other as part of the global trading system. Production processes have also become more efficient and cost-effective, thus allowing for production costs to fall, and income and profits to rise.

As a result, consumers need to exercise care and take steps to understand product liability within the context of consumer protection law, as this can help them to avoid being exploited by the business sector.

Furthermore, from an international perspective, it should also be noted that technological developments have resulted in widening the economic gap between developed and developing countries, which has lead to greater inequalities, both in terms of living standards and government and personal income.

Social and Cultural: Technology can lead us to become more “Materialistic” and moreover, the cultural values of some countries can be transferred to other countries through technology.

If the cultural power of these countries is not equal, the weaker country will have to endure a form of “Cultural assimilation”, or be forced to embrace “Multiculturalism”.

Natural Resources and Environment Harmful

All life can survive on Earth because of the circle of life. Thus, if that system is disrupted, the whole system will also be affected.
According to the processes used in the manufacturing industry, technology which is produced to meet human needs incurs costs, and many raw materials and natural resources are used in these manufacturing processes. Therefore, increased production will only serve to magnify the damage to the environment.

The important question that needs to answer is. “How can we sustain growth when we merge humans and technology together”.

It would appear that many problems are caused, and compounded, by humans.
For instance, humans typically use excessive technology, and consume or use this technology wrongly.

Embracing the thinking behind the term a “Sufficiency Economy”, which was a philosophical term bestowed by His Majesty the King of Thailand, may serve the public well.

This philosophy stresses the middle path as an overriding principle for appropriate conduct by the populace at all levels. The philosophy also points the way for a recovery that will lead to more resilient and sustainable development, and raise public awareness on the right way to use technology.

Thus, educating the public about the pros and cons of technology use may reap great benefits on the path to eliminating at least some of these technological-related problems.

By Tatchara Longprasert, Thailand, AJA Global Reporter