Impact of Technology on Society.MP4

The Public Good: Impact of Information Technology on Society

Blog assignment #4 Rewrite

Question: Choose one way in which technology has changed human society and explain the impact of that change, positive and/ or negative.

            There is so much technology around us this day and age and most of it has some kind of impact on people in one way or another. With the invention of the automobile people were able to travel much greater distances in shorter periods of time. From the automobile spawned the assembly line, producing a greater number of products in a shorter period of time, at a cheaper cost. This allowed more people the luxury to afford a car and the ability to live further away from where they work, spreading cities out further, creating suburbs. The airplane has allowed faster travel around the world creating business in other countries a mere day flight. The telephone, cell phone, electricity, and microwave oven are all examples of technology that has changed human society, however, and by far, the technology to have the greatest impact on society is the internet.

            A brief history of the internet: The internet began in 1962 and was known then as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Net). It began as a theory that multiple computers could access programs and data from other computers over a distance. At first the main interests were institutions such as MIT, and government agencies such as NASA and DOD. In 1977 the Apple II, Tandy TRS-80, and the Commodore Pet are introduced and create the consumer and small business markets for computers. In 1984 domain names are introduced with the now familiar tags; .gov, .mil, .edu, .org, .net, and .com. The start of commercial internet services for sending and receiving e-mail interconnect in 1989. In the early 90’s search engines start appearing to help users find information through out the infrastructure of computers, and “WWW” is created exploding the growth of the internet. Now with the ability to send images, audio and video over the web the internet has become more than just written communication and in the span of just thirty years has become part of the world’s popular culture. To view a more detailed time-line, visit the Computer History Museum.

            No other technological device has done what the internet has done, and in just thirty years time. The internet has allowed people all over the world to interconnect in one way or another, be it business or pleasure. Connection to the web allows: finding and sharing information instantaneous, staying in touch with people, doing business, and broadening world views around the globe. One of the major effects the internet has had is the availability for any person at any time to retrieve information. This blog assignment, for example, has been made possible through the web. Pod casts have made information readily available for download to be listened to at any given time. Any thing from sports scores, up to the minute local or world news, medical advice, driving directions, research projects, or weather around the world is possible with the stroke of several keys. Did a family member just have a baby? In a matter of minutes that information can be shared along with pictures and video chronicling the entire event. For a supporting view see: technology and the internet.

            Along the line of family members; staying in touch with friends and family has become a daily routine with the internet. With sites like Facebook, personal blog’s, and Friendster people around the world can stay in touch with each other. Want to reunite with an old high school chum? Look them up on the web. Can’t find anyone compatible to date in your home town? Try an on-line dating service and you can expand your pond to Russia and beyond. Online gaming has become popular and is more than just a video game; it has become a social network of people interacting with each other over a virtual-scape, with even more individual social community chat sites to support the game.  Gaming has brought together a form of entertainment that used to be, for the most part, solitary and mixed it with a cultural socialization.

            The business world has expanded by leaps and bounds with the advent of the internet. No longer does one need a stock-broker to buy and trade on the stock market. The web has allowed any “Joe” to trade, get advice on the hottest stocks, and manage their investments from home. Businesses have expanded their territories, selling, and distribution regions to encompass the globe. Business people are making deals with other businesses from Tokyo to London without leaving their home office. Connections to the internet allow people to telecommute and engage in group conferences with participants from around the world. With business’ expanding on the web, online shopping has become a culture all its own.

Did the television break, or is it just too small and another one is needed? People don’t have to physically drive from shop to shop, pressured by sales people, to find the best T.V. or the best deal. What ever a person needs they can surf the web, find the brand and style they like, do research on how that brand compares to all the other brands, compare prices, find out what other people liked and disliked about said product, find a store that sells that particular item and then go ahead and make a purchase, all in the cozy comfort of home (cnet). No longer do you have to wait in line for tickets, for anything, just pick them up on line. People can order a pizza or have food from a supermarket delivered to their home all through the internet. In fact there is no need to leave your home for any thing any more, just about every thing you could ever need can be ordered and delivered to your home using the internet. For a supporting view see: internet technology, technology news.

            The opposing view of the internet is the ill effects it brings with it on society. These views are not always factual and many might be opinion driven stigmas but still have some merit of concern. As much “togetherness” as the internet has given people with sites such as Facebook, people have argued, "does it really bring people closer?" Is sitting in your house, alone, on the computer, never physically interacting with anyone healthy? Some believe that the internet has hindered people’s social skills, making children and teenagers even more socially awkward. Another concern is the ability for children to come across damaging information, images, or people while browsing the web. Concerns about economic securities have been raised as well. If the web becomes the main source of purchases then state tax revenues will take a nose dive. These are all valid concerns but with proper parenting and mentoring, and with consumer consciousness while making purchases these concerns can be controlled and remedied.

            The internet has blossomed from a theory in 1962 to multi-kazillion dollar industry with millions of people surfing the web every day, in a mere thirty years. People can’t avoid the internet; it’s at their work place, in their homes, and even at McDonalds. The web has entangled the world and become a cultural and social norm, spreading information, technology, socialization, products, services, and money around the world. There is no doubt that the internet has changed human society for the better.

(Note: “multi-kazillion” is an exaggeration and not an actual figure.)