We live in a society in which various technologies impact our daily lives ubiquitously. From domestic solar panel heaters that save electricity to smartphone technology that provides applications of different uses for people, technologies have brought abundant convenience and bestowed us with a wider range of abilities to explore and achieve more. On the other hand, some people accuse that advanced technology is insidious for our personal ability buildup as we heavily rely on its convenience and capability. Consequently, our most basic and crucial skills would be gradually eroded. Those who perceive technology have enslaved us and omit the fact that we are the inventors of these sophisticated mechanisms. This proves that human brains are far more elastic than what has been found when technology does not serve as a facilitator for us and equip us with capabilities to pursue our goals. It is always up to our choice to terminate their existence. In light of this, I agree with the statement to a large extent.
Firstly, technology can be and has been developed specially and expertly to enhance our abilities with overwhelmingly positive results. One good example is the well documented “Sesame Street Effect” numerous studies showed that children from all sorts of backgrounds and skills who watched the show actually improved in their school readiness, literacy and numeracy abilities as well as social skills. Here, technology was deliberately designed to present an appropriate amount of intellectual stimulation, optimise engagement among young viewers and enable transference to real-life situations. Likewise, we could look at the many groundbreaking websites that are sifting through the noise of data online to help researchers, policymakers and educators refine their communication and data analysis skills. Khan Academy uses the YouTube platform to help slow learners take all the time they need to revise the High School curriculum. As such technology facilitates education for different groups of people which conventional form of education does not provide and hence gives us the necessary ability to pursue our goals and eventually control our own lives.
Some may argue that technology encourages the conditions in which skills can be lost without our notice. In giving over many of our simple tasks to technology, we have paid the price for further development in these skills for the extra bit of convenience. For example, the art of cooking has been almost been mechanised over the past decade from premade mixes to pre-packed poultry, from the invention of bread makers to talented multifunctional gadgets at every kitchen needs, we have automated skills that were once considered vital for the initiation of any female into motherhood. In such a way we have regressed in our basic abilities due to the rampant use of the technology. Nevertheless, individuals who are driven to be better at their real-life work, achieving real-life goals and grooming their real-life skills would usually be more focused on how they tap into technologies that help them get there, instead of being overly dependent on technology and passive in enhancing their abilities utilising the assistance of technology. For example, there is a difference between an entrepreneur who uses Twitter, Facebook and his iPhone applications not only for leisure but to communicate with his or her customers and understand market trends versus those only using game technologies to “poke” people, stalk their crushes and play Fruit Ninja. Many successful Web 2.0 businesses like Threadless and Tome Shoes made their millions because their founders intended to establish a successful business using online sources. Thus, more often than not, technology would give those who possess the intentionality to gain more ability what they look forward to.
Critics may also say that, with the advent of the industrial revolution where advanced nations moved into an era of extensive mechanization, basic skills that were initially done by hand, from harvesting of crops to assembly of complicated parts were largely automated by the late 1900s. This gave rise to Luddites protests that people would lose their jobs as the practising of these basic skills was what was earning them a living. The emergence of technology diminished human work and people’s ability to gain a livelihood. Moreover, our traditional arts in the form of handicrafts have been replaced by standardised manufacturing of products and hence are in great danger of extinction. As such, technology has weakened our ability and willingness in making art pieces using our own hands and would eventually erode our tradition and culture.
Nevertheless, we should also credit the industrial revolution for freeing people from their mundane chores so that we can strive to learn and innovate increasingly sophisticated skills. More options were given to men, women and children to handle ideal lifestyles instead of endlessly toiling under the sun. They could receive better education and seek better job opportunities which led to a higher standard of living for them. Also, the increase in efficiency brought by machines in the food industry has also helped eradicate global poverty so that famine was no longer a hindrance in industrialized nations for their people to reach a better life quality and even pursue their life goals. Therefore, technology has granted people with time, health and opportunities to acquire sufficient abilities to steer their own life and gain control of it.
In conclusion, technology with its vast usages and capabilities creates greater access to information for us. Provides us with help in our education and work and most importantly grants us more freedom and efficiency so that we have time to focus on our individual development. Although we can recognise the various instances by which technology has caused us to become less adept, it would be far better for us to acknowledge how technology has improved and enhanced our abilities. As humans, we make use of our intelligence and evolve with the advancement of technology and steward it as a strategic assistant in human development rather than as a monster that is constantly required to be kept on a leash. As Jonas Salk once stated, “This is perhaps the most beautiful time in human history; it is really pregnant with all kinds of creative possibilities made possible by science and technology which now constitute the slave of man – if man is not enslaved by it.” Indeed, after all, it is us who should make the effort to harness technology in benefiting us and enhancing our abilities to control our lives.
