Hello, everyone; sorry to start on a morbid thought. But I am sure everyone has imagined what will happen to our future in regard to technology and AI. Today, I will talk about the pros and cons of technology and whether or not we could survive without it.
What is technology today?
Technology today is applying scientific knowledge, a practical aspect of people's lives, including goals and how to change and manipulate people's environments. Today's examples of technology could be phones, microwaves, cars, coffee makers, computers, TVs, fans, air conditioning, and even something as small as a smartwatch.
Technology helps us with everyday tasks such as paying bills, communicating over long distances or with loved ones, shopping, health care, and even education.
Pros of having technology:
First, it is essential to remember that technology is a double-edged sword. While it has its problems, it also has its benefits, such as " various apps, video games, and other online tools may benefit brain health. Functional imaging scans show that internet-naive older adults who learn to search online show significant increases in brain neural activity during simulated internet searches. Computer programs and video games may improve memory, multitasking, fluid intelligence, and other cognitive abilities. Some apps and digital tools offer mental health interventions, providing self-management, monitoring, skills training, and other interventions that hold the potential to improve mood and behavior, instilling a sense of hope and optimism." (Small, G. W., Lee, J., Kaufman, A., Jalil, J., Siddarth, P., Gaddipati, H., Bookheimer, S. Y., 2020) In another video, the speaker, Mr. Russomanno, talks about what people want to know about the mental cognition of the brain. Not necessarily how the brain works by itself but what it accomplishes through " things like EMG sensors to measure muscle activity or ECG sensors to measure heart activity trackers and even environmental sensors to measure the world around us, all of this makes the brain data much more valuable. But the organs around our body, our sensory receptors, are much easier to collect data from than the brain and arguably more important for determining what we care about, emotions, intentions, and the mind overall." (Russomanno, 2023) Some benefits of technology are efficient and reliable communication, easier facilitation of commerce and business, and access to a comprehensive, diverse expanse of information. It helps us provide a better understanding of the environment around us, helps improve productivity and efficiency, helps make advances in the fields of medicine and life-saving treatment, and helps people with daily tasks.
Cons of having technology:
In the article Brain Health Consequences of Digital Technology Use It mentions that some cons of using technology are as follows: "Potential harmful effects of extensive screen time and technology use include heightened attention-deficit symptoms, impaired emotional and social intelligence, technology addiction, social isolation, impaired brain development, and disrupted sleep. However, various apps, video games, and other online tools may benefit brain health." (Small, G. W., Lee, J., Kaufman, A., Jalil, J., Siddarth, P., Gaddipati, H., Bookheimer, S. Y., 2020) This is the dark side of technology. While it may be helpful in some aspects of our lives, sometimes it can lead to consequences comparable to a domino effect. For example, the development of technology has also perpetuated pollution, which, in reaction to that, has tried to limit the effects of said pollution (Greenhouse effect).
What would happen if we were to lose technology?
I'm sure many of you have thought about what would happen without technology. Well, I can tell you it would put many lives at risk, not just health, which would take a hit, but the economy. You would probably have to go back to a barter trade system. Anyone living up north would probably die since no one knows how to deal with the winter, let alone collect food. The effects of not having technology would be so catastrophic that we would lose our ability to communicate quickly and efficiently and be thrown back into what would be considered the Neolithic period or Stone Age.
So my question to you all today is, what would happen if we lost technology? What would you do if we lost technology? Would you have the skills to live off the grid?
I hope everyone will have a great week. See you next weekend!
Citations:
Small, G. W., Lee, J., Kaufman, A., Jalil, J., Siddarth, P., Gaddipati, H., … Bookheimer, S. Y. (2020). Brain health consequences of digital technology use. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 22(2), 179–187. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.2/gsmall
Loh, K. K., & Kanai, R. (2016). How has the internet reshaped human cognition? Neuroscientist, 22(5), 506–520. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073858415595005
Russomanno, C. (n.d.). A powerful new neurotech tool for augmenting your mind [Video]. TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/conor_russomanno_a_powerful_new_neurotech_tool_for_augmenting_your_mind?subtitle=en
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