After all, society and its surroundings has also affected by technology in many ways. Webster (1995) states that “Technological progress does not merely make people’s lives more convenient and prosperous; it has also brought huge changes to how society itself operates”. Through various communication tools, different levels of societies and social groups are interacting directly and more frequently with each other (Castells, 1999). People can now shopping or work at home via internet in their own preference. Nevertheless, the effects on society of technological advances also lead to increased economic growth through the creation of new industries or improvements in productivity.
2.2 Social factors on the development of technology
Since the rise of the industrial revolution in the latter 18th century, concentrating on labour productivity comes to the first agenda for many society, some new machines was invented so that manufactures could improving their products and work efficiency to stay competitive. For example, the invention of steam engine had accelerated the efficiency of many industries, including metallurgy, coal mines and the development of textile industry. During and after the war time, many government agencies invest their money on discovering new technologies for military use, such as the invention of airplane, which has now become an indispensable delivery machine in our modern society. From the second half of the 20th century the pursuit of quality life through technological upgrading has never changed. Until recently, technology has accelerated the growth of more advanced economies in quite a few societies, and has promoted the fast grow of leisure class. New technologies are largely developed for civilian use, for example, the research and development of mobile phone technology is fundamentally resulting from society’s needs, since people have the needs for being able to stay contacted with others all the time, and wherever they are. Today, various mobile technologies allows not only calling and text messaging, customers can easily access to a world of entertainment and multimedia with just a tap of a finger on a touch screen. After all, as Harries et al (2008) indicates that there is a two way causal interaction between technology and society, technology influences society and society also influences the development of technology.
2.3 Detrimental effects of technology
On the other hand, not all technology enhances society in an inventive way, there are also damaging effects. Most modern technological processes produce unwanted by-products in addition to the desired products (Harris et al, 2008) consequently causing a serious damage to the natural environment. To list a few, for example: the increase in transportation technology has brought congestion in many places; new forms of technology such as guns and the first generation of nuclear reactors can be dangerous for life (pal, 2008); new forms of leisure activities, for instance computer games and internet surfing often contains materials that are challenging, stimulating, gambling, and confusing especially for children and young adults those who lack of self control. Most importantly, pollution has already become a universal problem in this technologically advanced society, finding ways for pollution prevention is most urgent in the further progress of technology. Also there is an increased probability of some disease and disorders, such as obesity due to unhealthy life style, and since technology has increased the need to communicate with more people faster, social separation of singular human interaction has increased significantly (Pal, 2008). While many natural resources are un-renewable, excessive consumption and wastes today can result a serious lack of resources tomorrow. As a result of technology, the rate of progress increases, society must deal with both the positive as well as the negative implications.
- Conclusion
Greenwood and Seshadri (2002) emphasized that the role of technological progress is a catalyst for economic transformation. Energy, physical sciences, information and communication all have been boosted by the innovation of technology. The world cannot operate without technology today, since it has brought so many conveniences to human life. It is a common believe that technological progress has opened up a range of modern activities for people; Contrariwise, technology are socially shaped, as it have been the primary impetus for technological progress in society. However the detrimental effects of technology progress are also a notable aspect in human society. There is no doubt that the essential precondition for technology development must ensure a safe and sustainable world for today’s society and for the later generation. This may include a cleaner environment, better healthcare, less crime and a more equal standard of living for all members of society (Nolan, 1999). Only in this way, the design and implementation of new technology can make our society flourish.
References:
Castells, M. (1999) Information Technology, Globalization and Social Development. Palais des Nations, Switzerland.
Greenwood, J. & Seshadri, A. (2002) Technological Progress and Economic Transformation. Economie d’Avant Garde Research Reports. Retrieved from:
Harris,C.E., Pritchard, M.S., Rabins,M.J. (2008). The Social and Value Dimension of Technology (4th ed). Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases (pp.103-108). Cengage Learning.
Nolan, L. (1999). A Popular View: the Belief that Technological Progress Leads to Social Progress. Retrieved from:
Pal, S. K., (2008). 21st Century Information Technology. Ubiquity Volume 9, Issue 24. Retrieved from:
Webster, J. (1995) Review Article: The difficult relationship between technology and society. Work, Employment and Society, Vol. 9, No.4, pp. 797-810. Retrieved from the SAGE Social Science Collections.
Williams, R., & Edge, D. (1996) What is the social shaping of technology? Research Policy Vol. 25, pp. 856-889. Retrieved from The RCSS Technology.
