The Glass Cages Analysis

1467 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: 4. What are the disadvantages of automation

Essay #1 Riley Dirkes The Glass Cage: How Our Computers Are Changing Us by Nicholas Carr is a technological study about automation. Carr defines automation as “the use of computers and software to do things we used to do by ourselves” (1). Our society believes that automation is progress and benefits us in a positive way, but Carr challenges that idea. He criticizes society’s dependency on technology and the consequences that it has on our future. As a society we welcome technology and are amazed by its capabilities and the many ways it has simplified our lives. Carr acknowledges the benefits of automation, but believes they come with hidden human costs. When we work, we are the most satisfied because we are being challenged to use our …show more content…

He starts out the chapter by telling two stories about airline crashes that happened in 2009 that claimed nearly 300 lives. Both of these incidents were blamed on pilot error. Throughout time aviation has become more and more automated. From the very first automated flight in 1914 to now, airlines and plane manufacturers have been working on shifting the work from humans to machines. Today, pilots only control a total of three minutes between take-off and landing. Though plane crashes have been declining, there has been this new type of crash, which is due to human …show more content…

He first discusses technology-centered automation; the type of automation where technology comes first and the human comes second. Humans are given the smallest possible role in technology because they are seen as less reliable. Carr argues that this type of automation creates automation complacency, leaving us trusting the machine while our attention drifts elsewhere. If the computer makes an error, we become less likely to intervene, creating a whole new problem. Computers fail to know the outside world therefore must receive certain information from a human. This type of automation does not have the user in mind therefore may fail to communicate effectively, which can lead to undesirable outcomes. Carr believes though that this is the type of automation we as humans prefer. We chose technology that will simplify our lives and free up the most amount of time instead of the ones that will just assist

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of The Learning Curve By Atul Gawande

    712 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the text, Carr states, “The autopilot disconnected, and the captain took over the controls. He reacted quickly, but he did precisely the wrong thing…The crash, which killed all 49 people on board as well as one person on the ground, should never have happened.” This shows that by depending on technology, pilots run the risk of potentially crashing the plane. Although technology has made it easier to fly planes, many things can go wrong with technology which is why it is dangerous to depend on it the way many pilots do. In addition, Carr also talks about how pilots are unable to react during an emergency due to their lack of knowledge. In the text, Carr states, “Automation has become so sophisticated that on a typical passenger flight, a human pilot holds the controls for a grand total of just three minutes...They’ve become, it’s not much of an exaggeration to say, computer operators.” This shows how pilots are losing their knowledge which is putting the lives of the passengers at risk. Although technology has helped to an extent, it harmful as well since pilots are relying more on the computer than on their

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis of The Electronic Sweatshop by Barbara Garson

    2548 Words  | 6 Pages

    In her introduction, Barbara Garson gives the reader an idea of her personal work experience as a clerk with automation. One can see that Garson is a strong critique of automation. In order to convey how automation is affecting our society the author begins by analyzing and studying various jobs from the bottom on up (i.e. starting with the most unskilled labor).

    Read More

  • Outliers Chapter Summary

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gladwell starts the chapter with a specific plane crash that occurred while flying into Guam but the chapter quickly shifts to Gladwell analyzing what exactly is the source of a plane crash. Gladwell concludes that the accidents are not caused by a singular mistake, but instead a string of mistakes that come from a team

    Read More

  • Smarter than You Think: How Technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better by Clive Thompson

    625 Words  | 2 Pages

    People all around agree that technology is changing how we think, but is it changing us for the better? Clive Thompson definitely thinks so and this book is his collection of why that is. As an avid fiction reader I wasn’t sure this book would captivate me, but the 352 pages seemingly flew past me. The book is a whirlwind of interesting ideas, captivating people, and fascinating thoughts on how technology is changing how we work and think.

    Read More

  • Gary Shteyngart's O. K. Glass

    945 Words  | 2 Pages

    Technology is evolving and growing as fast as Moore’s Law has predicted. Every year a new device or process is introduced and legacy devices becomes obsolete. Twenty years ago, no one ever thought that foldable and paper screens would be even feasible. Today, although it isn’t a consumer product yet, foldable and paper screens are a reality. Home automation, a more prominent example of new technologies that were science fiction years ago are now becoming an integral part of life. As technology and its foothold in today’s world grows, its effects on humanity begin to show and much more prominently than ever. In his essay, O.k. Glass, Gary Shteyngart shows the effects of technology in general and on a personal note. Through the use of literary

    Read More

  • Comparsion of Throughout the Fate Is the Hunter and The Right Stuff

    808 Words  | 2 Pages

    Handling and operating an airplane comes with great risk, but these risks that are present are handled with very different attitudes and dealt with in different ways depending on the environment the pilots are in.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Glass Castle

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    American businesswoman Carly Fiorina once concluded, “If a decision-making process is flawed and dysfunctional, decisions will go awry.” In the critically acclaimed memoir The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls pilots a turbulent excursion through the bottleneck of her childhood and dysfunctionality and flawed decision-making is all too common. Throughout this memoir the reader learns of the the appearances and disappearances of stability and functionality, discovers the theme of fantasy vs. reality, and determines how and why the familial dynamics of the Walls alter through the duration of the memoir. The reasons for the instability of the family are evident.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of GLASS By Ellen Hopkins

    1216 Words  | 3 Pages

    GLASS written by ellen hopkins intermenes the real life struggles that teenagers face everyday, from love to drugs to destructive relationships. Ellen really hits home showing the life of a once 4.0 honors student Kristina; whose life easily got turned upside down from one toxic summer at her fathers that will show the darkest side possible of life. An estimated 12 percent of children in the United States live with a parent who is dependent on or abuses alcohol or other drugs. Based on data from 2002 through 2007, it was to be reported that 8.3 million children under the age of 18 lived with at least one substance-dependent or substance-abusing parent according to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Paragraph 4). The bond between a child and their parents is so pure yet

    Read More

  • The Great Forgetting Summary

    684 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the early industrial age, men lifted, placed, screwed, adjusted and quality checked hundreds of components that made up a final product. Now most of that is automated. Automation goes further than the tedious manual tasks of manufacturing. In his article “The Great Forgetting” Nicolas Carr examines how automation has contributed to plane crashes over the past few years. He noted that automation, has turned our pilots into computer operators. Because the pilots are not doing many of the manual tasks on a regular basis, they do not develop the deep skill required to deal with instrument malfunctions. Since their skills are not exercised; when a malfunction does occur the pilot often makes an error in response while trying to correct the situation. Carr also noted that automation in other fields can dull the skills of those who rely upon it. He pointed out the scenario of radiologist who do not scrutinize the areas that are not highlighted by the computer software, thereby possibly missing an opportunity to find an early tumor. Whether it is gender or automation, roles change. However, we must not allow our skills to be lost in the process. Hands on training and keeping skills fresh are an important part of life.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Better Than Humans: Why Robots For The Better

    1380 Words  | 3 Pages

    Robots are important to humans in the workforce, even though, it may not appear so. In Better than Humans: Why Robots Will- and Must- Take Our Jobs, Kelly initially unsettles the reader by noting that our, “job [will be] taken by machines”- if not already taken (Kelly 300). The reason why

    Read More

  • “Is Google Making Us Stupid” and “Get Smarter”

    1364 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Glass House

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    A reclusive, troubled young artist embarks on a roadtrip of self discovery when he forms an unlikely friendship with a shady neighbor and tries to convince a man he cares about to be his lover, forcing him to make life-altering moral choices about his own existence.

    Read More

  • The Impact Of Automation

    1152 Words  | 3 Pages

    Machine learning and automation has played a large role in the ever changing labor market with new industries gaining momentum and old industries becoming obsolete. With the increasing amount of research and improvements in automation, feelings of anxiety and disdain towards automation have become normal for workers. Jobs are lost to machines due to the convenience and efficiency that machines offer, however, not all types of jobs are replaced. In a study done by a professor of economics at MIT, David Autor, the impact of automation has actually shown to complement labor by increasing the demand for other jobs that require the use of a computer (Autor). The common anxiety and fear of total job loss is a clear misconception;

    Read More

  • Human and Inventions: The Computer Evolution

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since the beginning of time, humans have thought and made many inventions. Repeatedly the newer one is better than the older. Our minds have created many remarkable things, however the best invention we ever created is the computer. computers are constantly growing and becoming better every day. Every day computers are capable of doing new things. Even though computers have helped us a lot in our daily lives, many jobs have been lost because of it, now the computer can do all of the things a man can do in seconds! Everything in the world relies on computers and if a universal threat happens in which all computers just malfunction then we are doomed. Computers need to be programmed to be able to work or else it would just be a useless chunk of metal. And we humans need tools to be able to live; we program the computer and it could do a lot of necessary functions that have to be done. It is like a mutual effect between us and he computer (s01821169 1).

    Read More

  • Future Of Technology Essay

    1459 Words  | 3 Pages

    Consider the developments in technology, robotics, and information technology with its social implications for human values and the future of work. We have entered a new age technological revolution, which profoundly effects social structure and values. Technological development brings about the change of life styles. Computers are one of the most important factors of this development.

    Read More

More about The Glass Cages Analysis

Open Document