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Impact of technology on the human race
Effects of technology affecting humanity
Impact of technology on the human race
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As quoted by historian and political scientist Christian Lous Lange, “Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” In Uglies, Scott Westerfeld demonstrates that technology has become more of a master than a servant in society. Hence why, technology has an integral place in society, as long as humans do not rely on it too much. Although Westerfeld demonstrates the benefits of technology in his novel Uglies, the potential physical and mental dangers outlined outweigh any potential gains.
The benefits of technology are demonstrated profusely throughout the entire novel. When Tally watches “the guy [get] caught by his bungee jacket a few seconds before splatting on the ground,” (11) we can get a sense of how much they rely on technology,
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that they would die without it being there for them. With the imagery surrounding the use of the word “splatting” we can picture just what could have happened to the man if it was not for the bungee jacket catching him. We can also see this when “[Tally and Shay are] as high up and far out as hoverboards would go... nothing but a board and crash bracelets between [them] and a long fall” (45), because both Tally and Shay can go high up on their hoverboards without a fear because they know that the crash bracelets will always catch them. Westerfeld emphasized how high that the two girls are going to show their trust and comfort with technology and knowing that it will always catch them. Although we can see the benefits that technology have on society, with every benefit comes a danger. Proceeding with the physical dangers of technology, that may not be as prominent in the novel but, are a far more pressing component in the story.
When Westerfeld wrote, “[Tally] sighed, closing her eyes. Without an interface ring, she was nobody, the elevator wouldn’t even listen,” (15) he is conveying how the citizens think without technology, they do not have a place in their society. When Westerfeld uses the word “nobody” we get a sense of isolation from anyone who is not associated with the use of technology. This is very effective in proving my thesis because when the citizens rely on technology to such an extreme extent, that when one person becomes disconnected for a brief moment, they can no longer function in society. This also hints at a more dystopian society where citizens are under such control, that their government does not allow anyone disconnected have any control in their society. Lastly, when one of the rangers explains “about 300 years ago, some Rusty figured out a way to engineer the species to adapt to wider conditions. She messed up the genes... they crowd out other species,” (173) shows us how using technology to modify something natural, at some point, will result in the complete termination of the natural aspect of society. This is a metaphor for the lesions in the brain. When you try to modify how a person thinks and acts, soon enough, there is no more of that person left and their minds are completely fake, leading us once again towards that
dystopian society where everyone is under control. These physical consequences show us how severe the dangers of technology are. Regarding the mental effects of technology, any benefit is easily outweighed by the consequences. When it is stated that “having lesions is normal now, [they’re] all used to the effects,” (258) we get a hint towards that dystopian society where everyone is blind to the big problem of a sort of mind control. By saying “they’re all used to the effect,” Westerfeld shows the readers how blind the rest of society is towards what is actually going during the operation and in their brains. Having your thoughts and brain changed is not worth simply being a pretty face. Next, when Dr. Cable explains that “[The] city is a paradise. It feeds you, educates you, keeps you safe. It makes you pretty,” (103) it emphasizes that while all the technology in town may support the citizens, the city may be more dystopian than the government is letting on. With the use of the word “paradise”, we can imagine an ideal world with no problems. This town is in fact the opposite of that. Even though the government provides for every citizen, this hospitality comes at a cost, and that cost is their minds. To follow, when Az says, “whatever the lesions make us, it isn’t a far cry from the way humanity was in the Rusty era,” (258) we see an allusion to the Rusties and how they used to live. This comparison shows to be ironic, given that the government created this new city and the operation to change the ways the Rusties used to live, only to have an even worse effect on not the environnement, but on its citizens. After seeing the benefits and mental dangers, it is evident that these dangers outweigh the benefits.
Technology has been around as long as people have and has been advancing ever since. It is the reason that we have access to the miraculous tools that we do today. From the forks that we eat our supper with to the cars that get us from place to place technology is everywhere. However, with technology advancing at such a rapid pace, it could pose a threat to our future society. In the short stories “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut and “By the Waters of Babylon” by Stephen Vincent Benet, the authors describe how bleak society could become if we do not take precautions when using technology.
In today’s society technology is everywhere, whether it be in a car, on a billboard, a laptop, or even on one’s phone. However, is all this technology a bad thing or is it truly a worldwide phenomenon. Even back during 1992, author Neil Postman wrote about how technology is both a blessing and a burden. Many people believe Postman’s views are arrogant or far-fetched, but there are also those who agree with him about the dangers of technology.
This text was also among my most favorable topics, as I can relate to the generation of technology, its advances and consequences, and its role and influence on society. I evaluated three pieces of texts, all of which presented thorough research. My analysis was an investigation of a book I found to be an outstanding read, amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman. I evaluated Postman’s argument, and incorporated and established my own stance and position towards the consequences of technology today and in the future on our society. I created a persuasive argument connected to Postman’s
What forms Our Identity is individualization, no one is a carbon-copy of one another and there are many things that makes each person unique whether that be their ethnic background, personality, religious beliefs which can range from Non-religious, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Etc; In the book Uglies by Scott Westerfeld the book is set three hundred years into the future, with the government giving surgical operations which provides every citizen with the “Pretty” operation which makes everyone meet the standard of societal beauty.
Advances in technology have been used to modernize our lives, yet this same technology can alienate members of society from each other and even alienate individuals from themselves. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 explores the use of technological advancement as an instrument of government censorship and population control.
Scott Westerfeld’s dystopian book, Uglies, published in 2005, takes place in Uglyville and New Pretty Town. Tally Youngblood, who’s about to turn sixteen isn’t excited about getting her driver’s license like any other teenager usually is, but instead excited about finally being able to turn pretty. In Uglyville 16 year olds go through an operation to get a whole new look; a new face, new skin, basically a chance to become a whole new person. Although not everyone is positive they want to go through with the operation, including Tally’s new friend Shay. Shay would rather be risking her life in the outside world than to go through with the operation of getting a whole new look. Throughout the book as Scott Westerfeld shows how Tally Youngblood and her best friend Shay overcome their obstacles, he also includes many messages about how
In the book Fahrenheit 451, by Ray. Bradbury, technology is a great privilege. Montag, the main character, is surrounded by technology that can help humans live and become a great society. In the real world technology is more terrible than healthy. It can be used to do amazing things
It is commonly believed that technology aids in the advancements of society and the idea that technology comes with its own set of repercussions is often ignored. In the novel Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, there is a parallel created between technology and ignorance and through technology, characters tend to have a lack of regard for others and their surroundings, thus criticizing human behavior and how technology correlates with humans lacking in awareness.
As time progresses technology increases and improves. However, this progression could pose as a serious problem for generations to come, and New York University department chair of communication arts Neil Postman expresses this concern in his 1992 book, Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology. In the opening of Postman’s book he expresses that technology is indeed our friend because technology provides our society with fast and easy convenience and accessibility. As with most other things, there are always two sides to everything and Postman notes, that “of course, there is a dark side to this friend” referring to technology (Postman, 1992). Many people do not address the negative sides to technology and just turn a blind eye to them so it is refreshing to have someone point them out and discuss the issues technology possess on our society.
In today's world, technology is constantly changing from a new paperclip to an improvement in hospital machinery. Technology lets people improve the way they live so that they can preserve their own personal energy and focus on the really important factors in life. Some people focus their energy on making new innovations to improve transportation and the health of people that may save lives and some people focus on making new designs of packaging CDS. Technology is significant in everyone's life because it rapidly changes what is in the market. But, some new innovations of technology are ridiculous because they serve no purpose in helping mankind.
‘Uglies’ is a science fiction, fantasy, adventure book written by Scott Westerfeld. Scott Westerfeld’s inspiration to writing Uglies was because his friend whose dentist asked him to consider getting cosmetic surgery. Uglies is set in a distant future where the technology is far more advanced. Uglies is a dystopian society where the world got wiped out by a horrible disaster and fell into ruins as the years went by. In Uglies a whole new civilization is created, and a law which the people in ‘Uglies’ have the option to make themselves beautiful when they turn sixteen. ‘Uglies’ introduces a civilization where people are judged and divided based on their appearance. The inspiration of a dystopian society was because Scott Westerfeld read the
The topic of technology and our society has become a very controversial subject today. Many people believe that technology is an essential component of our modern world, helping us to improve communication from farther distances as well as giving us easy access to important information. On the other hand, there is the opinion that too much technology is affecting social interactions and our basic development. “Technology…is a queer thing, it brings you great gifts with one hand, and stabs you in the back with the other.” (Carrie Snow.) The CBC Documentary “Are We Digital Dummies” displayed the pros and cons when it comes to modern technology that we use in the western world everyday.
Technology is unavoidable in our modern lifestyle. You wake up, you use technology; you use technology while cooking, while eating, while driving. While you’re lying in bed before you fall asleep, you use technology, technology wakes you up in the morning. Is all the technology around you good for you, or is it harmful to your health? Was our society healthier or safer before all the advancements? So many questions and concerns about all of the technology we crave, but there are very few people who know the answers. Technology affects all parts of human life. It can create jobs, motivate people to get active, and assist people in learning, but this does not balance out that there are dangers that follow the use of technology.
...many benefits for us, but it is not really needed all the time. Maybe in some situations for people technology is needed every day in their lives. But the fact is that people don’t really need all these new gadgets, they didn’t have all of this kind of stuff back in the day, and they still mad it through. Education is being helped by technology and sometimes just giving the student the answer. Later on though it can affect the student when a more difficult situation comes, they will not know what to do.
Technology has more negative effects on today’s society than positive. Due to technology in the past few decades Canine Shock Collars have been increasingly popular. Students in school pay more attention to texting than they do their classes. Violent addictive video games have made their way into American homes. Parents encourage their children to not text as much, but them to face the problem of constant communication. The Internet gives the students easier ways to cheat in school, and reinforces laziness. Internet Porn gives every bored male a chance to look at the seediest film in the comfort of his own home. Technology has taken the innocence and mystery away from the American family.