Technology: Dependence on Technology Hinders Society's Progression

Technology has expanded into every facet of our lives and continues to advance upon more and more ground. Some are eager to welcome this as a means to improve our standard of living since technology cuts distance between people, brings about new, more efficient medical treatments, and more. Others are skeptical of whether or not this extent of influence is more helpful or harmful to society. While seemingly benign, mass technological use acts as a detriment to society because it lends access to harmful means of communication and brings a variety of ethics into question.

The widespread nescience of technology’s adverse effect on the environment goes against standards of behavior that are seemingly held. Take the case of E-readers. Although, for all intents and purposes, E-readers are promoted as the greener alternative to regular books, the New York Times has reported that “the impact of one e-reader … equals roughly 40-50 books. When it comes to global warming, though, it’s 100 books” (qtd. in Morgan). People purchase E-readers in part because they think that “environmentally friendly” is another pro that they can add onto their list. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, nor is it the only piece of technology to bolster unjustified claims. Often, people will believe whatever claim is advertised for a product and not follow up with their own research thereby continuing with an unburdened sense of ethics. Similarly, this mindset transfers itself over to the field of offshore oil drilling. Experts are adamant that the “technology to contain oil spills in sea ice environments simply doesn’t exist” (Williams). They are also adamant about the 30-50 percent chance of an oil spill in that region (Williams). Despite these blatant risks, ...

... middle of paper ...

...tailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?query=&prodId=OVIC&contentModules=&dviSelectedPage=&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&disableHighlighting=&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&zid=&p=OVIC&action=2&catId=&activityType=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010509224&source=Bookmark&u=lawr16325&jsid=57289855f8aea411ebce18dda9dd37ec>.

Williams, Margaret. "Offshore Drilling in Alaska: Time to Slow the Rush." Yale Environment 360. N.p.: n.p., 2008. N. pag. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. .