How has technology impacted overall society?

How has technology impacted overall society?

What Is Technology?

It's hard to imagine life without technology. Cell phones, computers, televisions, washing machines, cars, and the Internet. They're just a part of life. The effects they've had on society are impossible to ignore. But, before we get into that, we need to answer the question: what is technology?

Technology is any device or object that is an application of our scientific knowledge about the world that helps us complete a task or solve a problem. It doesn't have to be complicated - a shiny piece of metal becomes technology when you use it as a mirror. But it can also be staggeringly complex. Computers and cell phones are applications of quantum mechanics physics and mathematics that could give you a headache.

So, when you realize that even the simplest device can be counted as technology, it's easy to see how truly altering technology has been for us. In this lesson, we're going to take a look at how technology has impacted society and the environment.

Technology and Society: How Technology Changed Our Lives

Society and Technology: Partners in Changing Our Lives Ancient and modern human civilizations have both benefited from and been impeded by the technological innovations, inventions and engineering applications used within societies to perform specific tasks. For societies to thrive and evolve, technological innovations have become necessary, while at the same time the culture, ideals and aspirations of human societies have shaped how those civilizations have created, benefited from, and been impeded by, technology. As technological systems are invented by humans and reflect the very essence of a population’s needs and culture, human societies/civilizations and their technology have become inseparable from one another. The cyclical nature of society and technologies is one where each factor greatly affects the other, starting with human societies and resulting in the development of different technologies to meet the needs of the society. Those technologies change the way societies behave and operate - which also affects and evolves their economies, producing a potential greater need for more technology, resulting in a cycle. This co-dependent relationship of co-influence and co-production has been the case from the beginning of history, resulting in two major forms of this synergistic relationship co-evolving, depending on the type of society in question:
Agricultural Cycles: Agricultural societies were based on the cycle of the seasons, and thus would have an agricultural, cyclical concept of social evolution based on agricultural technologies. Since the technologies of a society also help to determine the economy of a society, agricultural societies, technologies and their economy were all intertwined.Progressive: While also cyclical, the explosion of technology before and after the industrial revolution resulted in societies moving forward in social progress (via technology) in a way that was not necessarily tied to agriculture, which resulted in more diverse economies and the development of new societal novelties, such as an interconnected world (e.g. the Internet) and globalization.
No single piece of technology - even failed technology - has had zero impact on a human society. Since “necessity is the mother of invention,” all invented technology was created to meet the needs of a society and is thus innately tied to the culture and its populace’s behaviors. Once developed, whatever problem is solved by the technology then alters the behaviors and operations of the society, which may result in new problems, different economic structures, or new ways of life, which may then give way to even more technological innovations. On a macro-scale, the society may simply use the technology to survive and thrive, or it may help the society to evolve and attain higher levels of global progress by creating a greater level of societal efficiency. At the same time, on the micro-scale, technological developments may even change human behavior to the point of altering human adaptive mechanisms and thus affecting organismal evolution. These evolutions have reached even to how societal languages (i.e. words associated with developed technologies in a given society) developed within certain civilizations.

What is Technology? Technology is an application that is engineered or created using applied science/math to solve a problem within society. This can be agricultural technologies, such as with ancient civilizations, or computational technologies in more recent times. Technology can encompass ancient technologies such as the calculator, compass, calendar, battery, ships, or chariots, or modern technology, such as computers, robots, tablets, printers, and fax machines. The technology of the future includes advanced Blockchain technologies, smart cities, more advanced smart devices, quantum computers, quantum encryption, and advanced Artificial Intelligence.

What is Society? A society encompasses any organized group of people living together in a community, which often includes some form of government/governance, along with laws, roles, and an economy. In ancient times, the latter often encompassed an agricultural economy, along with imports and exports, while such societies often had militaries and educational centers, and evolved into advanced kingdoms, and even empires with vassal states. Often, the most technologically advanced states evolved into great empires that ruled over other societies/kingdoms.
The History of Technology and Society in Changing Our lives

Throughout history, each civilization, society, kingdom and empire has grown, risen and fallen with technology at its helm. Mesopotamia, the ancient so-called “cradle of civilization,” saw the ancient Sumerians invent most of the basic items (technologies) that are still used today, including ships, the wheel, irrigation systems, metallurgy, and one of the oldest written scripts. Technology affects every part of a society, kingdom or empire, and is based on the available math and science of a society, affecting each sub-facet of a civilization, including its:
MilitaryArchitectureCitiesHealthCommunicationGovernmentTime/CalendarsRecord KeepingLanguage
Ancient technology, of which the oldest science, math and medicine is recorded in East, Southern and Northern Africa, such as Adam’s Calendar and the oldest math-based calculator, helped the ancient kingdoms to keep time, communicate numerical quantities, and helped them to govern their economies and grow in size. Technology also helped to shape agricultural practices, which helped ancient societies to thrive, and formed the backbone of the powerful economies of antiquity. The invention of irrigation systems, architectural structures, the invention of glass, and the use of baked clay all played a part in the development of ancient cities and kingdoms.After the industrial revolution, these landmark inventions have evolved into mega cities, sky scrapers, and farms that feed millions today. Technology also played a part in the creation of empires in globalization and in ancient trade, as chariots, ships, and the ancient “Silk Road” all helped kingdoms trade, become wealthy and powerful, and to spread in influence, resulting in the conquering of kingdoms and the linking together of different civilizations. Technology has even affected how the most basic essence of human communication - language - has developed. For instance, some ancient languages, such as the still-spoken Basque language, has root words for modern tools linked to the word “stone,” indicating its ancient, potentially stone-age origins. Though it is a language isolate, hypothetically, if such language changed the roots of English words, for instance, the invention of stone tools eons ago could potentially affect the spoken language of English Today. in fact, two of the most important examples of how technology helped change human societal behavior and perhaps evolution is the development of stone tools and the ability to harness fire. Both aided in the survival of early hunter societies that created the ancient behaviors that Homo sapiens are known for (the hunter-gatherer model before the development of agricultural societies), effectively changing the course of our evolution by even changing the genetics of whole societies (genetic flow). From antiquity to now - from the Egyptian and Kushite empire, to the Aksumite and Chinese empire, to the Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian empires, to the Greek, Roman, Mali and British empires - all such advanced kingdoms grew into empires due to their strong economies (resulting from advanced technology), strong militaries (resulting from advanced technologies), and powerful communication/transportation abilities (resulting from advanced technologies). It could be said that history has been written by the invention and use of advanced technology.Throughout human history and after the industrial revolution, humans changed from being hunter-gatherers to more sedentary creatures whose technology automates many tasks for them, resulting in more sedentary-based chronic illnesses and unhealthy diets, while also making life more convenient and “easier.” While in the ancient world it could take months to send a message from one end of the globe to the other - or to travel from one country to another - today, messages can be sent almost instantly via the Internet, and it is possible to travel around the world in a fraction of the time via airplanes.

How has Technology Affected Human Life? Ultimately, technology has positively affected human life from antiquity until now by solving problems associated with everyday life, and making it easier for different tasks to be completed. Technology has made it easier to farm, more feasible to build cities, and more convenient to travel, among many other things, effectively linking together all countries on earth, helping to create globalization, and making it easier for economies to grow and for companies to do business. Virtually every facet of human life can be carried out in an easier, more effective, and quicker fashion via technological solutions, resulting in less problems in one way, and more problems in another.

Positive Impact of technology on society while technology has had several less-than-desired impacts on society as a whole, there are potentially more positive impacts on society than negative impacts. Such impacts have made life easier for multitudes, and have gifted many with the resources, education and tools needed to live a better life. Such impacts have greatly affected agriculture, transportation, communication, and the education sectors within societies globally.

Mechanization of AgricultureAncient agricultural practices have seen a radical change with the mechanization of agriculture. Such mechanization simply means that machines and technological systems (including robots) have replaced ancient farming systems such as work animals and manual labor. This has resulted in more automated, highly efficient farm practices, producing far more abundant food resources for more people.
Improvement of TransportationWhile it is still possible to walk to most places on earth, the advent of trains, buses, cars, airplanes, speed boats, etc. has made it feasible for people to travel to and from their required destination in much less time. Adding to that are ridesharing apps, such as Uber and Grab, which have made it incredibly easy to get to a destination very quickly and inexpensively. The backbone of any society is its infrastructure, which includes both telecommunication and transportation systems, so the evolution of both systems has greatly helped to shape the modern world.
Improvement on CommunicationTelecommunication systems are a very crucial part of any advanced society. From using bird messages and smoke signals, to the faster, more efficient, more effective, and more global system of email, phone calls, and app messaging allows for people to stay connected in a globalized world. From Skype to VOIP to global telecom carriers, it is highly feasible for people to travel the world and stay connected, and even possible for remote workers or international businesses to utilize video calls and conference calls via the Internet to keep their businesses going without interruption.
Improving the Education and Learning ProcessIn the modern world, it is as easy as utilizing a Google search, podcast, or YouTube video to learn virtually any skill that one needs to succeed, whether it be a new language, a programming language, a technical skill, or an obscure part of history. As opposed to having to learn from printed paper books, now ebooks and even online seminars allow people to learn in a faster, more efficient fashion, and with the convenience of mobile computer systems/apps. Online gateways and websites have also allowed institutions of education to offer educational materials in an all new, streamlined manner, helping students to master materials using computer systems that they are familiar with, and also allowing them to consolidate their educational materials in a single place.
Negative Impact of Technology on SocietyThe depletion of fossil fuels, the need for more rare-earth elements, the use of rare elements such as gold, coltan and tantalum (as is required for modern electronics) - which have often helped fuel wars in mineral rich continents and countries - and the burning of fuels potentially impacting Global Warming are all very real issues created by an increasing use of technology.
Depletion of resourcesOne of the most troubling issues associated with the increasing use of technologies is the depletion of natural resources, whether that be rare earth elements/minerals, food sources, or fossil fuels. As noted by Karehka Ramey (2012), the use of corn to produce fuel in the form of ethanol, for instance, can greatly reduce corn/food supplies globally. Additionally, the world’s hunger for more and more electronics can greatly or completely deplete the world’s resources of gold, coltan, and other rare minerals, while helping to fuel conflicts around the world where those “blood minerals” are found and often fought over.

Population Increase/Health ConcernsDespite the invention of contraceptives, the human global population has exploded, in part due to better technologies that have allowed for longer life spans, more abundant sustenance availability, and the management of resources that have allowed for more effective reproduction. Ironically, the presence of more humans is partly related to resources being more depleted, but also resulting in more effective management being implemented. However, the increasing usage of technology has affected some health epidemics that previously were unheard of, including the development of societal sedentary lifestyles (such as constant sitting), excessive exposure to blue light from electronic devices, and constant exposure to EMFs, which can result in chronic illness such as immune system dysfunction.
Pollution IncreaseAlong with the depletion of resources, one of the most notable negative impacts of technology is the great increase in pollution due to industrialization. This includes fossil fuel emissions, global warming, and cities around the world whose factories emit massive quantities of solid and air pollution/waste, resulting in large increases in cancer and chronic illness incidents. And while climate change is a highly controversial subject, many scientists agree that global warming is very real and is a threat to the human species.
Areas in which Technology changed our lives

From the dawn of civilization, technology has changed - sometimes radically - the way people have lived, how businesses have operated, how youths have grown up, and how people in society, as a whole, have lived day to day. This includes facets of societal behaviors such as communication, travel, learning, business, convenience, and health. Technology has typically had both positive and negative effects on society, regardless of how drastic the effects on human behavior have been.
lifestyle If the modern lifestyle could be characterized in a single word, it would have to be “convenience.” From shopping online from one’s couch and having goods delivered the next day to the appropriate doorstep, to join friends for a meetup via a social app without having to leave the house, to booking a flight and hotel across the world for travel the next day, tablet computers, wearable computer systems (I.e. smartwatches), and smartphones allow people to perform tasks in a moment, on robust apps via the Internet, that previously would have required going in person. Essentially, technology has helped people to carry out complex tasks in a simpler, quicker manner.
Health Smart bracelets and health apps have allowed a world increasingly plagued by chronic illness to monitor, analyze and alter personal health habits via computational systems. Hospital infrastructures now include computer systems with advanced security as a norm, while advanced apps may allow doctors to wirelessly obtain health info from patients via WiFi-enabled nano-pills, and even the Sci-Fi-like gadgets, such as the medical tricorder, are being developed for quick medical assessments. Additionally, many hospital systems have online gateways that allow patients to obtain their medical records, or communicate with their physician online, nearly instantly.
PrivacyTechnology has had a somewhat marred history with regard to the issue of privacy. Most people view cameras, intrusive apps, smart devices like smart homes, and Alexa), and spy-devices as having helped to increasingly compromise the privacy of multitudes. However, while this is partly true, technology has also increased the ability for end-users to have encrypted web sessions, and to send encrypted messages to other users. The evolution of cryptography has helped to somewhat maintain digital privacy in a digital world.However, we must note that the art of cyber hacking would not have been possible if not for the evolution of computer networks and computer systems., This generation has seen a frightening increase in security breaches, hacks, and malware/ransomware attacks that have compromised the privacy of millions.
Attitude of the YouthThe younger generations have typically been most impacted by the rise of technology. While the older generation might have grown up using technology for certain, critical tasks such as email, millennials and generation Z typically use technology for virtually every task, and are often overexposed to EMFs and blue light. This includes using tablets in school, using web gateways to complete homework, and using YouTube to learn a language, for instance, which is a stark contrast to how the previous generation learned. Due to an increasing reliance on technology, the younger generation is more prone to care less about privacy issues associated with technology. At the same time, the younger generations are more likely to have a better understanding of how the Internet and technical systems work, which could fill in the massive gap associated with industries needing technical personnel.
BusinessBusinesses, both large and small, have been impacted by technology perhaps more than any other sector within modern societies. Virtually every successful technological innovation has helped to increase business opportunities, has shaped business models, and has resulted in the production of new products and services, which also results in the creation of new imports/exports on a national level, and international, globalized business opportunities. Technologies that have changed the way businesses operate include:
Printing PressComputerPersonal ComputerFax MachineEmailSocial MediaServersNetworkingInternet/World Wide Web/TCP-IPCryptographyBusiness IntelligenceCloud ComputingBig DataArtificial IntelligenceData Science

The results have been increased automation, better efficiency, less overhead, and increased bottom/top lines of SMEs and larger enterprises. Completely new executive roles have arisen to handle the use of new technologies, including the CDO (chief data officer), CIO (Chief Information Officer), Chief Digital Officer (CDO), and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), to name a few.Using the Internet for inbound marketing, and social media for reaching prospects and leads, as well as e-commerce, have all resulted from the World Wide Web, which has also spawned new working roles such as remote working, telemarketing, and the evolution of the digital nomad.
Human behavior Human behavior is as complex as it is mysterious, but as sociologists and anthropologists study human behavior within a societal context, it is clear that technology has helped to mold and evolve human behavior as the human species continues to increasingly depend on technology on a daily basis. As creatures of comfort, the ease of use, and the convenience that technology provides calls for a steady adoption of smartphones, social media, and Internet-connected devices, while WiFi hotspots become a must in virtually every establishment within the hospitality industry.People increasingly look to apps to help them with virtually every task possible - from learning a language, to finding a place to rent, to finding a date. There are many positives to technology, yet one negative is that human behavior has become so reliant on technology that people have the potential to become lazy, and unable to survive or function without the technology that so many have become accustomed to. Though it is debatable, some believe that convenience typically comes at a price.

The Bottom LineTechnology has had a tremendous, almost unimaginable impact on human life from the dawn of civilization. While it is near impossible to gauge the entire impact on human society, technology clearly has done a lot to make human life easier, more enjoyable, and more convenient. However, when misused or produced irresponsibly, it has had the potential to have devastating consequences, and thus is not without its drawbacks. As humans venture into the future, it is increasingly important for engineers to operate in a more conscientious and responsible manner, and for end-users to create a balance between the usage of technological systems with old-fashioned techniques for getting things done in a more healthy, productive manner.

Technological experts are worried about the rapid transformation in human attention. They have also raised alarm concerning people’s future ability to deal with intricate challenges. In view, the impact of a different future because of multitasking and short-term mindset will be negative because the social encouragement for profound engagement will eventually come to a halt. Undeniably, technology has also changed the way teachers teach in classrooms. Ever since its introduction, various efforts have been channeled towards helping educators and the different means of implementing such in the classroom situation. They had voiced concern with the introduction of the use of technologies in the classroom such as laptops, handheld technologies, computers, digital movies, and video content.

Students nowadays face constant exposure to different forms of media, which then impacts on the way they use information and interact with each other. These new technological advancements have drastically changed the teacher student dynamics. The central role that has always been played by the classroom instructor is fading away. Now the instructor acts as a middleman linking information to students. Students are now actively involved with the procurement, designing, rearranging, and displaying of vital information. By any mean, the introduction of technologies has minimized the rank of teachers in the classroom situation. This essay looks at various negative effects of technology on all aspects of human life.

Negative Effects of Technology

Undeniably, the numerous advancements in technology being churned out every day have been helpful. The last few decades have seen technology evolve at an incredibly fast rate unimagined before. Cell phones are now performing tasks that were originally assigned to a computer. It is now hard to imagine life without things like the Internet, email, Facebook, or other chat features on phones and tablets. Other technological gadgets like TV, PS and movie or video games have also evolved over time, each offer its consumers a variety of choices and novel possibilities. However, despite the publicity and positive advancements and achievements brought about by modern technology, many do not realize the impact and negative effects it has brought to people and society in general. Arguably, a number of technological advancements have adversely affected definite industrial sectors, like the print media. These advancements have even caused several businesses to shut down forever or shift their scope of business because there is a lack of demand for their type of goods and services.

Newspaper businesses and local agencies have been hit hard; some have been forced to shut down or lay off a large chunk of their employees because news these days is readily available on the Internet, especially on the social media. Several companies and other businesses now depend deeply on digital printing means for magazines, brochures, as well as, other advertisement supplies they require, thereby putting conventional, lithographic printing in a tough spot. Music lovers do not have to purchase their favorite singles or albums from music stores anymore, many files are readily accessible over the Internet, a phenomenon that has forced big music store companies to shut down or shift their mode of businesses. Consequently, the movie industry has also suffered since consumers can now download or purchase movies online, which has decreased DVD sales.

There is no denying that technology has its positive attributes, but when looking at the way it has impacted on the society, especially the way people interact with each other, then it is safe to state that technology has a negative impact. Modern technology has changed the way people interact nowadays. One can communicate with whomever at any given time using the many social media platforms present to date. This sounds like a helpful idea, but it has created a distinct barrier because people have ceased to interact the on a personal basis like the traditional way. As a result, people are becoming confined to their homes, and do not want to interact with the outside world. Many fun games like football, basketball or tennis can now be played online; therefore, people have ceased to anticipate going outside and playing such games with their friends. While technology is vital in making life easier, interaction with the rest of the society is important; becoming desensitized to the public is harmful.

Without looking at the bigger picture, one would quickly think that these technological tools have enabled people to gain an understanding of other civilizations, meet with different people on a global scale, preserve or reinforce familial relationships, be in touch with the rest of the society, and help individuals to become socially adroit. Nonetheless, some technological aspects increase stress levels and isolation in the society. It is common nowadays to be involved in relationships via technology, but at times, the quantity of such associations leaves individuals involved feeling somehow empty. Technology has had a philosophical impact on the meaning of the term “social”. If it has not already happened; therefore, it is crucial to redefine socially tolerable and suitable behaviors in view of virtual and digital interaction. At this point in time, very few have critically thought about the novel social realities that have come with technology, as well as, the meaning of these realities in view of the person as well as the society.

A recent study about information technology and students pointed out that a majority of undergraduates used social networking sites, including Twitter, Face book, MySpace, and Instagram, among many more others. About 85 percent of the respondents stated that they used such social platforms on a daily basis. This report points out one defining factor: that the use of these sites is on an upward trend. Notably, using these sites has both positive and negative impacts. It enables long lost pals or family members to reconnect and keep in touch. This is convenient considering relationships that are usually geographically alienated. However, one should not look beyond their noses to pinpoint the issues that relate to social networking sites. Currently, people are debating on whether it is real that people are addicted to the Internet.

Technological Influence on Society

Technology affects the way individuals communicate, learn, and think. It helps society and determines how people interact with each other on a daily basis. Technology plays an important role in society today. It has positive and negative effects on the world, and it impacts daily lives. We are living in an era where technological advances are common. The internet and cell phones are some examples. However, with technological advances, there’s a downside to it all.

One aspect of technology that has had a great impact on society is how it affects learning. It’s made learning more interactive and collaborative, this helps people better engage with the material that they are learning and have trouble with. Also, it gets you better access to resources. The creation of the internet, it gives us access to information at a twenty-four-hour rate, and you have access to almost anything online. In addition, it allows students to get work done easier. Students can take quizzes and exams more easily, and teachers being able to hold online classes can be very effective. It also expands the boundaries of the classroom, encouraging self-paced learning. People can access learning through YouTube and social media. This helps students learn better than sitting down for lectures and reading from textbooks. These technological advancements made learning more fun and convenient.

Another way technology has impacted society is through communication, how we talk and communicate with one another worldwide. Technology brought many new methods of electronic communication. For example, there are emails, social networking, you can FaceTime a person that lives on the other side of the world, and here’s video conferencing where you can have conferences electronically. Lastly, the technological advancements that were made within the health industry have helped keep people safe and healthy. There are many innovative apps on phones that although people to watch their weight, how many calories they intake, heart rate, and other health properties any time of the day. There’s increased accessibility of treatment available, there’s the change in healthcare that adds benefits for the elderly, and hospitals using advanced technology within their surgical rooms.

However, studies show that mobile communication affects people negatively when it comes to being sociable and making face-to-face contact. Mobile technology can decrease communication and relations between people. There’s less personal time, where you find that you don’t have enough time for yourself because you’re always in contact with someone. Also, it can be distracting from your schoolwork. There is also loss of privacy, because anyone can find you anywhere, at any time of the day. In conclusion, all of these things impact how humans act today. Without technological advancements, our way of life would not be as complex. Technological influences shape the way humans act today.