Technology and society are inseparable from each other, continually supporting each other. Without community, there would be no development of technologies, but also there would be no society in its current form without them. However, technology’s impact on people’s lives must be assessed objectively for possible technological development correction. The purpose of this essay is to consider whether technology is helping or negatively affecting society.
First of all, technological progress certainly helps the development of human life. Modern people do not suffer from those problems and diseases were considered a dangerous threat just a couple of centuries ago. Modern technologies make it possible to improve specific individuals’ lives and equip entire cities for a comfortable life. Research shows that current smart towns manifest success in productivity and social protection as a manifestation of scientific knowledge and innovation (Bibri & Krogstie, 2017). Thus, technologies applied on a large scale make it possible to make a person’s life more prosperous, safer, and more peaceful.
However, there are also more pessimistic views on the impact of progress on people’s lives. For example, in her book Race After Technology, Benjamin emphasizes that using technology is increasing systematic racial oppression in the United States (Benjamin, 2019). Modern technology, she says, is re-creating historical structures for assigning ranks to individuals based on race and origin. Consequently, the use of technology in its current form increases the oppression of vulnerable groups in society. It is necessary to redesign their plan to form a new type of relationship in the community.
Thus, this situation is somewhat twofold and can be viewed from different points of view. However, despite the pessimistic claims of people like Benjamin, technology still positively affects society, and there are many examples of this. First of all, modern technologies provide everyone with access to the most valuable resource – information. In the current information age, a person can find any information that interests them, which allows them to form an opinion. While technology is often used off-label, there is no denying its educational impact, coupled with its effects on safety and quality of life.
Hence, while there are different points of view and arguments for both sides, technology arguments are more compelling. Thanks to progress, humanity can live safer, and individuals can more effectively self-actualize. However, work needs to be done to address the gaps and inequities in the system.
References
Benjamin, R. (2019). Race after technology: Abolitionist tools for the new jim code. Social Forces.
Bibri, S. E., & Krogstie, J. (2017). On the social shaping dimensions of smart sustainable cities: A study in science, technology, and society. Sustainable Cities and Society, 29, 219-246. Web.