There are many reasons why technology has become one of the largest topics of conversation over the past few decades. Now, cell phones, social media, and the internet have all provided people on earth with easy communication, learning, and exploration opportunities that could only have existed in the imaginations of people 50 years ago. However, when speaking about the advancements of technology, it is important to note it's shortcomings as well. On the other side of the coin, cell phones and social media have raised a more depressed generation than ever, and one that is more suceptible to suicide and other forms of harm. The ease of communication online has also made basic human interaction a skill that some do not hold, and it makes those individuals less able to function within society.
When taking a look at the benefits of the advancements of technology, there is a lot to talk about. Computers have allowed people to become more efficient at work, and they can use the internet to explore and learn about any topic they can imagine. As a student myself, it makes research and learning new things a lot more fun, because I can learn about my topic of choice easily, and can use multiple sources across the web to analyze what different people think of the same thing. Tech has also advanced when it comes to making humanity safer. When it comes to car crashes, natural disasters, and even some freak accidents, phones and GPS systems have allowed many people to escape from terrible situations, where if put in that same situation 50 years ago, they would be toast. For example, some phones and cars have the ability to reach out to emergency services in the event of a crash, and this can save a life if someone crashed in a remote location with no other witnesses. For weather, broadcasts about hurricanes and tornadoes have helped people in finding safety and shelter. For my final point in favor of technology, it has helped tie people from all around the world together. I have a lot of friends and family who live in different places, like Tennessee, New York, Florida, California, and even across the border in Mexico City. I can now communicate with all of those people by phone or text, so our relationships can still be kept strong even though we are so many miles apart. It's also helped when I forget the grocery list at the house, and I call my dad to see what we need from the store. All in all, it provides a greater amount of convenience for everybody, across almost all fronts.
However, technology cannot just be looked at through rose-tinted glasses. Although there are so many benefits, there are an equal amount of shortcomings that technology has introduces, some even posing grave danger. When it comes to older folks, they are more likely to get scammed online for their life's savings, and they are less able to identify the dangers because they did not grow up with technology. For high school and college students, we spend a majority of our time staring at a screen, so much so that we may ignore parts of real life that are right in front of us, like a pretty sunset or a meal with friends and good conversation. For myself, I have to now be careful about my digital footprint. As of now, the most incriminating thing about me online are some poor golf scores from high school. However, some other people I know are not so lucky. Some have been arrested, and their charges are listed online, and some have posted pictures of them drinking and smoking, which is not good for their futures.
At the end of the day, technology has paved the way forwards, both to a fantastic and detrimental future. So far in history, technology has provided people with extraordinary opportunity to do incredible things and save lives. Technology has a wonderful upside, but if not regulated properly, this technology carefully, then it could pose a threat to humanity moving forwards.
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