The Dangers of Technology Within the past two years computers have become a new way of doing business, enjoying various forms of entertainment, and interacting with others for the majority of our nation. Almost every aspect of technical work in industry today involves the computer in some way. It is hard to find something in the world at this present time that wasn’t either made by a computer program, or houses a computer of its own. Keeping this in mind while reading Ray Kurzweil’s article “The Virtual Thomas Edison” makes one realize just how much humans depend on computers, and Kurzweil’s hypothesizes that “Within three decades machines will be as intelligent as human beings”(Kurzweil, pars 16). Kurweil continues, by stating, “Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, has written about a wide range of dangers that could arise when we no longer have our metaphorical hands “on the plug”(Kurzweil, pars 2). It’s an unsettling thought, assuming Kurzweil’s prediction is correct, that computers may surpass man’s intelligence in 30 years and progress beyond our control. Kurweil’s quoting Bill Joy sums up the feeling of uneasiness towards the quick progress of computer technologies very well. It produces a slight tinge of fright as it is read because it could indeed be true. Kurzweil offsets his feelings of apprehension by going into great detail about how these advanced computers will help us in the future. He goes as far to state that computers will be able to create ‘nanobots’ to help rid of humans of several diseases and possibly prolong man’s collective life span. “By 2030 there will be ubiquitous use of surgery-free neural implants introduced into our brains by billions of “nanobots” (i.e., microscopic yet intelligent rob... ... middle of paper ... ... be able to keep a firm grip on the reigns of this technology. “I am optimistic that we will ameliorate these dangers while we overcome age-old problems of human distress”(Kurzweil. Pars 15). Kurzweil’s optimistic view of the humans prospering greatly from the machines is a happy ending, but it is not a completely reassuring one based on some of his conjectures. If the computers are smart enough to assimilate all of human knowledge, then how is man to predict the capability of holding them on leashes as they grow to gain artificial intelligence and awareness. “Technology has always been a double-edged sword, and we don’t have to look further than today to see both profound promise and peril.”(Kurzweil, pars 15). If Kurzweil had used this statement for his conclusion instead of his optimistic final view, his article would have produced a more convincing argument.
Carr captures his audience's attention by using an allusion from “Stanley Kubrick’s movie 2001, A Space Odyssey”. He stated the essay with “Dave, stop will you?” and the Supercomputer HAL plead. Any reader who has watch A Space Odyssey or interested in supercomputers to read his article. He highlights the fact that a computer could think for you. The states, “I’ve had an uncomfortable sense that someone, or something, has been tinkering with my brain(Is google making us stupid? By Carr page 2)”. He made a point that the more people are found of the internet the more we lose ability to deep think.
Today’s world is full of robots that vacuum the floor and cars that talk to their drivers. People can ask their phones to send a text or play a song and a cheerful voice will oblige. Machines are taking over more and more tasks that are traditionally left to people, such as cleaning, navigating, and even scheduling meetings. In a world where technology is becoming increasingly human, questions arise about whether machines will eventually replace humankind altogether. In Ray Bradbury’s short stories, “The Veldt” and “August 2026,” he presents themes that technology will not only further replace the jobs of humans, but it will also outlast humankind as a whole. Although this is a plausible future, computers just cannot do certain human jobs.
When talking about the future of technology, one can only imagine what it will be down the road. The future of technology evokes many questions about the preservation of human existence, human advancement and intelligence. Some writers even discuss their positions on the future of technology and human kind. Writers such as James J. Bell, who explains the theory of the ‘Singularity’. In summary, he states that the rate of technological advancement, compared to human intelligence, will one day reach the ‘singularity’ were it will surpass the human mind (pg. 52). We may never know if technology will ever have the power to surpass the human intellect or what the consequences will be if it does attain these capabilities. Will humans still maintain control over them, or will they control us? Theses eight articles illustrate the implicit and explicit control that technology holds over humans in the future.
Movies and literature alike have often served to villainize technology. These topics survive and persist, perhaps because we are morbidly fascinated with our own predicted downfall. Many people will admit to being concerned, as cummings is in "of all the blessings which to man," that the world will one day be run by machines. This potential future governing force is "without a heart" and "couldn't use a mind," and that may scare humans most of all (25, 28).
Have you ever had the thought that technology is becoming so advanced that someday we might not be able to think for ourselves? There is no questioning the fact that we live in a society that is raging for the newest technology trends. We live in a society that craves technology so much that whenever a new piece of technology comes out, people go crazy to get their hands on it. The stories that will be analyzed are The Time Machine by H.G Wells and The Veldt by Ray Bradbury. These stories offer great insight into technologies’ advancements over time that will ultimately lead to the downfall of human beings. These two stories use a different interpretation of what will happen when technology advances, but when summed up a common theme appears. In the story, The Time
Humans are becoming more technologically-efficient every day. New inventions and innovations are constantly being made. The Internet is becoming more “reliable” every day. However, how much do we really get from the constant advancement of Internet use and smarter technology? Should we look at their contributions to the world as a benefactor or a curse? The common effect of “artificial intelligence” in the technology we use every day is examined by two brilliant authors, Nicholas Carr and Jamias Cascio. In Carr’s article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid”, he explains the effects of the Internet and technology in our society and claims that the overuse of technology is dangerous and can affect how our mind operates. Jamias Cascio, on the other hand, uses his article “Get Smarter” to show the positive effects of technology in our constantly adaptive society claims that technology may just be making our society smarter and more efficient. While Carr and Cascio both use the claim of cause in their articles to provide valid points on how technology affects our society, Carr’s article proves to be more effective because it focuses on skeptical-based evidence and uses a variety of appeals and proofs.
In his original essay, titled “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Nicholas Carr explains how our brains have changed with the technology that we are using at the time. He ends his essay stating, “As we come to rely on computers to mediate out understanding of the world, it is our own intelligence that flattens into artificial intelligence” (328). Carr is describing here that our minds are changing to meet the technology we are using. As we move towards artificial intelligence, we risk sinking into nothing more than robots. This statement represents the theme of his essay because it is indicative of the way humans’ minds change with the technology they are using. The author cites many examples of the earliest forms of technology used today to support his argument, but does not accurately describe what technology is. His essay brings up technology such the printing press and how it changed peoples’ minds by giving them access to information, and how Friedrich Nietzsche’s use of the typewriter made his writing change from persuasive speaking to basic communication. Carrs’ writing is very clear, but he does not clearly define technology. Providing an explanation will make it easier to see how it has affected the human mind throughout history. In short, technology is the invented and innovated tools that aid in the completion of everyday tasks in measurement and recording, communication and labor.
As the years progress, technology keeps on improving and is reaching to the point of artificial intelligence. Throughout the history, many inventors came up with innovative ideas to improve technology. However, these advancements have led to few ethical, environmental and moral issues which have affected the way the society behaves and what values it holds. This correlates to these short stories, I, Robot by Isaac Asimov, August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury, “City People” by Lydia Davis, and Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. These short stories show how advancements in technology leads to reduction in our ability to think critically, and makes us feel lonely in a world full of machines with no sense of humanity. Technological
...ers. "Finally, just as computers shape our world, so our own dreams and desires influence technological change. Where will our dreams and desires drive the technology of the future?" (241). Eventually, we need to be able to 'read the world,' (239). Computers will continue to impact our ways of life. People have begun to experience more leisure and less hard labor because of computer-related technologies. Perhaps in the future, these luxuries will be extended to the poor, and human rights and equality issues will be improved. As people become more connected, they will hopefully become more aware.
...ecome alarming as these machines could become very complex. With new forms of computers on the horizon, the exposure and availability is greatly increasing. It is true that computers bring a lot of benefits however they also enhance the potential for unimaginable chaos. The day will come, sooner than we expect, when humans will no longer be needed to maintain the earth. Computers will for instance, be able to control vehicles and other devices. Providing all the computers are programmed correctly then nothing can go wrong however if one small program fails this could result in disaster. As humans we must take heed of the power of computers and try to maintain our role in the world as the ruling beings and ensure that we are still in a position where we are able to control technology as it will be all too easy to suddenly discover that technology is controlling us.
“The day may come soon when we are forced to share this status with a new kind of being, one whose intelligence is of our own design (alumni.berkeley.edu).” Robots are coming, in fact, they are already in our lives today. There are, currently many self-cleaners in households around the world. Before we know it, robots will be driving cars, taking care of old folks, and in use in many more ways. What’s after that? Something too intelligent for their and our own good, a robot that is either as smart or smarter than the human race. One of the most important points in these creations is, the robots knowing right from wrong. At what point does the robot become too smart and how can we stop this from happening? “Right now all modern technology is designed to bring the world to you; phone, radio, television, internet, but if trends continue, robots will soon bring you to the world, everywhere, and at the speed of thought. (theguardian.com).” This statement by Mark Tilden, robot physicist, is interesting as it states the robots will bring us everything, but these are all things humans are able to do themselves. If the robots become smarter than everyone, how will the world
The robots are taking over and planning to destroy humanity as it currently stands. They’re smarter, faster, and stronger making them superior to humans in every way. Because humans were too lazy and put all their faith in technology it was easy for the machines to rise up and take over. Soon all of humanity will be enslaved by robots and computers. This is the plot for thousands of science fiction movies and novels in which humans make computer, personal robots servants, and other technology that are so advanced and make life easier that in the end humankind has lost most of its intellect and physical abilities dooming the world to a fate that has inspired many armageddon theories. In the early 1960’s the world was introduced to the first ever supercomputer marking the era of the technological age in which it is not only possible for an ordinary person to do complex mathematic equations in mere moments but then share it with another person half way around the earth in nanoseconds. In the modern world the personal robot servant is still just a dream in the minds of scientist. Humanity made spectacular advancements when it comes to making life easier using machines. From the first computer to the latest handheld cell phone technology has helped in the daily life of mankind but at a great cost. By building and creating modern marvels that think for people and takes the muscle strain out of physical labor. Humankind has become weaker and completely dependent on these creations. A high price made by humans to have technology do things that with our own abilities we could achieve. The advancement in technology has made humanity’s intellect and physical strength decrease. Humankind has made great advancements in technology such as comp...
Is technology dangerous for society? Do you believe long term technological advances will ultimately ruin us? Technology has been evolving at a rapid pace through the twenty first century. Growing up in the nineties, I single handily witnessed how the tech world made leaps and advances in a matter of years. Many technological innovations have helped the world make a better place, but would too much of a good thing bad for us? Will technology be the downfall of society and our planet in the near future? Many people believe technology is harmful for our planet and our future for various reasons and there are others that have become so distracted by it that they don’t believe that it could ever cause any harm until it’s too late.
...rise of Artificial Intelligence brings with it new technological advancements and will change the lives of people forever. The introduction of AI to different technologies such as industrial production robotics replacing workers, virtual assistants creating a centralised device for all your information and autonomous vehicles that will see humans driving alongside AI, these are all set to make a large dent in the workforce as factory jobs and autonomous jobs begin being taken over by autonomous robots and artificial intelligence which can replicate the work of a human becomes commonplace .(Gartner Research, Fenn , 2013) The impact in the future as artificial intelligence gains an ever larger grasp on the world is hard to predict yet the fact remains that artificial intelligence is technology of the future and it will become a major dominant technology in the future.
Our minds have created many remarkable things, however the best invention we ever created is the computer. The computer has helped us in many ways by saving time, giving accurate and precise results, also in many other things. but that does not mean that we should rely on the computer to do everything we can work with the computer to help us improve and at the same time improve the computer too. A lot of people believe that robots will behave like humans someday and will be walking on the earth just like us. There should be a limit for everything so that our world would remain peaceful and stable. At the end, we control the computers and they should not control us.