Pros and Cons of Science and Technology free essay sample

The outcomes of scientific and technological research have strongly influenced civilization throughout history. It is evident that the applications of the two have been both beneficial and unsuited to human society simultaneously. Although science and technology have greatly contributed to elevating the quality of life, especially in the areas of geology and communication, it has also negatively impacted the world through its misuse. In ancient times, people relied on sorcerers and witch doctors to explain why many natural disasters occurred. Whenever a volcano erupted, or an earthquake occurred, it was often believed that the gods were enraged. Sometimes, many innocent people were terribly sacrificed to appease the gods’ wrath. Appeasing the supernatural forces, which could either wipe out entire villages or grant bountiful crops through natural disasters, was a sacred duty in many ancient societies. Ritual sacrifices were considered necessary for this propitiation and for maintaining a proper reciprocal relationship between humans and the supernaturals. We will write a custom essay sample on Pros and Cons of Science and Technology or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Thankfully, technology can now be used to understand, predict, and explain many of these natural phenomenons, and this ultimately alleviate the loss of lives and commodities. Communication has evolved over the centuries from signals and pictures to written words and the spoken language. With language, any message, no matter how complex, can be conveyed between people over a limited distance. For many people, communicating with family used to mean sending cards and letters through the mail and getting no response until weeks later. For the past decade, technology has transformed the way people communicate, in part due to the advent of the Internet. Instead of mailing letters, people are writing e-mails and greeting cards that can be sent instantly to one or more recipients. Many people have already gotten rid of their land-line phones and replaced them with mobile phones, even smart phones. Free video calls can be placed to anyone in the world over the Internet by using Skype and a headset. Mobile phones have become a stroke of luck, letting individuals call others no matter where they are. Society has become so dependent on technology to the point that people frequently cease to think before they take actions. It is absolutely normal for individuals to become impatient if it takes more than a few seconds to download a file, or load a webpage. They expect immediate responses to their emails, and they expect someone to answer their cell phones wherever and whenever they call. Regardless, industrialization resulted in rapid and sustained economic growth and a massive increase in goods; yet, for many people, it created a thoroughly unpleasant and stressful work environment. Also, before the advent of television, cellular phones, and the Internet, people found creative ways to communicate and enjoy time with friends and families. Today, many of these ancient methods embodied by those traditional families have almost disappeared because of the overindulgence in technology. The avid appetite for technology such as phones, iPods, handheld game players and portable computers are consuming people’s time and energy. Rather than interacting face to face with friends, family and acquaintances, people are opting for the convenience of impersonal communication through technology. Many individuals are parallel playing like toddlers, disassociating themselves from others in the creating of uncommitted, emotionless relationships. For a very long time, it has been true that civilization has fashioned weapons of war. Guns, swords, and other weapons exhibited the use of science and technology for military purposes. At the turn of the 20th century, the dangers of these weapons were exposed, and it was evident that they could lead to our planet’s destruction. Nuclear and chemical weapons endanger the planet’s existence every day, and they are a product of science and technology. Clearly, modern science and technology has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages on modern society. From the invention of both simple and complex machines, people have gained a better understanding of the world and how it functions, and have devised innovative means to survive. Advances in the areas of geology and communication are just two areas that reveal the benefits and efficiency of modern technology. On the flip side, civilization has been negatively affected through science and technology because they have been constantly misused. If society would collapse in the future, it is certain that science and technology would play a role in the collapse. It is unclear whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, but time will tell the answer.