Positive Feedback Loops in Early Human Development
There is no doubt that technology facilitated human development throughout history. However, what has been left largely untouched among the authors of the texts for this course is why technology has had such a tremendous effect on the evolution of the human species and its relationship with its environment. This essay will attempt to show that the effects of technology were subject to a multiplier effect inherent in positive feedback loops. In other words, every historical technological innovation gave way to a change in human behavior and physical capabilities, which, in turn, allowed for further technological innovation. Because this loop has been so incredibly successful, humans have overwhelmed the environment by continually growing towards, and sometimes beyond, its natural carrying capacity. The only reason why humans have not surpassed the upper limit of environmental tolerance is our own technological innovation which exists as part of the positive feedback loop; hence the origin of the term "tech fix" (the idea that human ingenuity will overcome all environmental limitations).
The positive feedback loop that is responsible for the dominance of the human species is very much like a game of elementary school dodge-ball. Initially, there is no skill involved; a mess of children with the sole intention of remaining alive in the game. Only, it is not entirely random because there are the few children who are particularly well-suited for the game. Be it because they are more agile or perhaps they understand the movement a little better than the rest. Whatever the reason, they are able to continue playing the game longer than a child who runs around as if his eyes were closed. The more able children will then gain more experience and be able to stay in even longer and dominate in the next game, and so the positive feedback loop proceeds to take shape. Early humans were similar in that what set them apart from the rest of the animals is that, for some reason, they had a natural inclination towards tool-making and technology. With these tools they were able to dominate the evolutionary "game", so to speak. The multiplier effect comes from the fact that the loop, once it has begun, will be self-propagating, such that one invention will inevitably allow for another. Conversely, a negative feedback loop is "self-limiting rather than self-reinforcing", as put by Tom Tietenberg in his text Environmental and Natural Resource Economics.
Florida International University recognizes its contribution to the accumulation of waste considering that it produces about seven million pounds of waste each year (Figueroa, 2010). Unlike other universities that still remain adamant in investing on green practices, FIU has, “governed by the State of Florida under Florida Statute 403.714 and The Florida Solid Waste Management Act of 1988” (FIU, 2011), established its own internal ‘green machine’ or solid waste and environmental protection system via the FIU Custodial Services Office. The university’s efforts in ensuring efficient solid waste management even “far exceeds the minimum standards” (FIU, 2011) required by law. What makes the solid waste management efforts of the university one-of-a kind is the establishment of a “single stream recycling program which means that all recyclable items can be placed into one bin and do not have to be sorted” (FIU, 2011). Nevertheless, despite the use of single recycle bins, proper labeling has to accompany each bin to ensure that only materials that are recyclable are placed in the bins. There are also different sized of bins which are placed stra...
“The whole character of Chinese popular religion flows in the direction of plethora of rituals and obligations without much discernable doctrinal underpinning” (Corduan, 2012, p.410). The Chinese popular religion has gravitated away the gods of Buddha and Daoism and captured the philosophy of luck and materialism (Corduan, 2012), while it “is less concerned with philosophical issues and
He understands the careful balance that mankind must strike in his essay, "Last Child." Well placed literary devices pull the reader in and keep them interested. Louv's article addresses the conflict between nature and technology by utilizing rhetorical questioning, introducing the topic through nostalgic storytelling, and supporting his argument with eyewitness accounts. Louv teaches his reader about the importance of nature, technology, and real world experience in a well organized essay that incorporates numerous literary devices. In conclusion, mankind can learn more with the careful combination of nature and technology than ever
...mitted through these devices. It could be easily argued that technology has positioned society on the precipice of significant achievements such as a cure for cancer, a source of sustainable energy, and production strategies that could significantly reduce worldwide hunger. However, as powerful as technology is, it requires innovation, creativity, and intellection—all human specific traits—to reach its full potential. Unfortunately, the negative cultural connotations resulting from this technological revolution have placed society at risk of being able to consistently develop these characteristics in future generations. While the future is indeed bright, a continuing optimism requires a careful examination of the true utility of various technologies and a conscious commitment to regain the most important things that have been lost in this technological revolution.
Colgate-Palmolive has been a strong force in the oral hygiene industry. The company has many strengths that have contributed to the company’s success. The company has become a global leader with seventy five percent of sales coming from international operations (Colgate, 2011). The company has built strong brand recognition over the years. According to Sekar and Thomas (2008) “brand differentiation is now becoming an important tactic for combating competition in the hostile marketplace.” While price is important, brand is also an important influence for consumers (Chain Drug Review, 2010). Another influence is product positioning. Colgate-Palmolive has been successful in positioning their products in stores and displaying more skus than other brands.
Back when there were not rapid advances in technology, people were living agreeably amongst each other. They used candles, wrote letters, and invested their time in reading and gaining more knowledge. They did not have all the luxuries people have today, but they were content. They valued education, the arts, and hard work. In Europe, people such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo, Copernicus, Monet, Einstein, and others strove to depict the beauty of their world and find explanations to natural phenomena. Richard Eckersley wrote, “It doesn’t make evolutionary sense to believe humans lived in misery until we discovered technological progress.” When people did not realize the potential of technology, they lived their life in contentment. Once people became aware of the fact that they could perform tasks quicker with the newer technology, they began wanting more of it. Scientists began researching and conducting experiments to enhance the new inventions. As they found ways to produce items...
From “the fatal loins” (Prologue.5) of Lord and Lady Capulet, protagonist Juliet is born in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. Early on in the play Juliet is portrayed as a very dutiful daughter to her family. After her encounter with Romeo however, she begins a rapid transformation from a naive young girl into a woman. By the end of the play Juliet’s transformation evolves her from a dutiful daughter, into a faithful wife that is willing to desert her family in the name of love.
We humans have accomplished so much, that we can do the things that we thought were unattainable. We talk to people who are millions mile away, we fly and go to our desire places, we even go to the moon and other planets, we bring the dead and we heal the sick people. How cool are we right? But why are we facing global climate change? Why are many species suddenly disappearing? It is because of us human beings, whom can do the impossible but fail to understand the simple side effect of our actions. Industrialization and technology has become the most necessity for humanity. We produce, we sale, we make money and we produce even more. Though Earth’s resource is abundant, because we fail to use our resource wisely, we are facing sparse. Industrialization
Throughout the history of western civilization, the human race has had a continuing relationship with nature and the environment. Progress has improved the way in which human beings use natural resources and the ways in which they work together to improve the quality of life. Developments in science and technology of the twentieth-century have greatly improved the way that humans interact. As the technological advancements of the twentieth-century progressed from the discovery of vaccinations to computer age technology, humans have learned to take a considerable amount of control over their lives and the environment as compared to the past, in which humans had very little control over nature. These progressions have had positive and negative effects on society. Positively, medical research has been able to allow the human race to lengthen life span and improve the work of genetics. Science has connected the globe through computer technology. The negative aspects of progression have some far-reaching consequences, such as new forms of imperialism, the atomic bomb, and destruction of the environment.
W. Brian Arthur’s, The Nature of Technology, explains how technology is transformative and answers the unanswered questions about technology’s evolution. Arthur’s discusses about technology transforming the world throughout the years. He takes the readers through a journey on how technology is evolving. He makes a comparison on technology, questioning if technology evolves just like biological life. He brings up the subject of technology and science joining these two topics to come up with the answers. In the Nature of Technology, Arthur discusses the theories of technology and development that helps to construct society.
Culture and technology are in a constantly expanding positive feedback loop. The greatest changes in human culture are almost always the result of a technological innovation. However, a technology capable of a cultural shift can only have come from the culture itself. Without the culture's choice to refine the technology, the practical applications would have been left as only fleeting ideas; technology will only be developed if the culture has some immediate and apparent use for it. Although a culture will develop a technology based on its inherent valence towards a particular application, that culture cannot possibly fathom the ultimate repercussions of its collective decision. The inherent multiplier effect in the feedback loop along with unforeseen applications of the technology will guide the "trajectories of cultural evolution" (Ehrlich 255) in completely unexpected ways. Even though cultures can and do have an effect on their course through history, it is only slight when compared to the monstrous effect that their technologies have on them.
Recycling is such a fantastic way for us to reuse the waste we once throw. Yet, not everything is easy to be done in this world. There many difficulties that face recycling process economically and socially. Usually In order to recycle, waste paper needs to be sorted and treated from any Impurities. Which means that companies will loss finance because there must be someone or something that could sort or treat these papers. Another problem is that to start recycling, companies needs a lot of good recyclable supply to pick it up; after all, they need good economic benefits (Problems with Recycling, 2014). According to the Waste and Resources Action Program, there are some barriers p...
Advancements in science and technology can be very beneficial, but they also pose a big threat. What happens when they are relied too heavily upon? There is a loss of communication, relationships, and freedom. The majority of the population begins to live in fear as a select few delve deeper into the next big phenomenon, or what they believe to be the means by which the society will prosper. This infatuation with science and technology will bring nothing but destruction, as it prevents all individuals from fully experiencing life.
Juliet also undergoes a change in character, far removing herself from the naïve fourteen year old of Act One, she becomes increasingly strong and practical (Spencer 67). At the beginning of the play Juliet talks of marriage as ‘an honour that I dream not of’ (1.3.67) but by Act Two Scene Two it is Juliet who brings about the subject of marriage, encouraging Romeo to arrange their wedding. Romeo may have insisted on declaring their love for each other but Juliet takes it a step further ‘thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow’ (2.2.144).
Modern humans owe the success and the continuous growth of their way of living, culture, technology, medicine, language and vast knowledge to their ancestors who had thrived hard to help themselves overcome the difficulty of life without having the advance technology that twenty-first century humans have. The accomplishments, wisdom and knowledge they have