Tag: Technology

Technology has made us lazy. Discuss.

Supporting View 1: Technology has reduced physical activity and encouraged sedentary lifestyles.

Examples:

  1. The rise of food delivery apps in the UK has led to a decrease in people cooking at home.
  2. Japanese youth increasingly prefer indoor, tech-based activities over outdoor sports and recreation.
  3. In Australia, excessive screen time has been linked to rising obesity rates among children.

Supporting View 2: Technology has diminished our cognitive efforts and problem-solving skills.

Examples:

  1. British schools report a decline in mental arithmetic skills due to calculator reliance.
  2. German employers note a decrease in job applicants’ ability to perform simple tasks without digital aids.
  3. Indian parents express concern over children’s reduced creativity, attributing it to increased tablet use.

Opposing View 1: Technology has enabled greater productivity and efficiency in various sectors.

Examples:

  1. American farmers use GPS-guided machinery to optimise crop yields and reduce labour.
  2. South Korean hospitals employ robotic assistants to enhance surgical precision and patient care.
  3. Swedish companies implement remote work technologies, improving work-life balance for employees.

Opposing View 2: Technology has facilitated access to information and learning opportunities.

Examples:

  1. Rural African communities access education through mobile learning platforms, bridging educational gaps.
  2. Chinese language learners use AI-powered apps to practise speaking with virtual tutors.
  3. European museums offer virtual tours, making art and history accessible to global audiences

Only science can save the environment. Discuss.

I. Introduction

  • Hook: In the face of mounting environmental crises, the question of how best to protect and restore our planet has become increasingly urgent.
  • Background: Brief overview of the contributions of scientific advancements to environmental conservation and the role of other disciplines.
  • Thesis Statement: While science plays an essential role in addressing environmental issues through technological innovation, social, political, and cultural efforts are equally crucial in creating sustainable change, indicating that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to effectively save the environment.

II. Supporting View 1: Technological Innovations

  • Topic Sentence: Scientific advancements provide vital technological innovations that address environmental challenges.
  • Example 1: Renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, have significantly reduced reliance on fossil fuels and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. See Germany’s Energiewende.
  • Example 2: Advances in environmental engineering, such as water purification systems and sustainable agricultural practices, help mitigate pollution and promote resource conservation. See China’s and India’s green revolution.
  • Analysis: Discuss how these technologies highlight the indispensable role of science in developing practical solutions to environmental problems.

III. Supporting View 2: Data-Driven Solutions

  • Topic Sentence: Science offers data-driven solutions that are critical for understanding and managing environmental issues.
  • Example 1: Climate modelling and satellite monitoring provide accurate data on climate change patterns, guiding policy decisions and mitigation strategies. See strategy in Kenya to help farmers.
  • Example 2: Scientific research on biodiversity loss informs conservation efforts, such as the establishment of protected areas and wildlife corridors. See expansion of conservation efforts in Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru.
  • Analysis: Examine how these scientific contributions enable informed decision-making and effective management of environmental resources.

IV. Opposing View 1: Importance of Political Will and Policy

  • Topic Sentence: Effective environmental conservation also requires strong political will and comprehensive policy measures.
  • Example 1: International agreements like the Paris Agreement rely on political cooperation and commitment to reduce global carbon emissions.
  • Example 2: National policies promoting sustainability, such as the Rwanda and UK’s ban on single-use plastics, demonstrate the impact of legislative action on environmental protection.
  • Analysis: Discuss how these political efforts are crucial for implementing and enforcing scientific solutions, highlighting the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach.

V. Opposing View 2: Role of Social and Cultural Change

  • Topic Sentence: Social and cultural change is essential for fostering environmental awareness and sustainable behaviours.
  • Example 1: Grassroots movements like Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future mobilise public support and pressure governments to take action on climate change.
  • Example 2: Educational campaigns and community initiatives, such as recycling programmes and sustainable lifestyle workshops, promote environmental responsibility and engagement. See recycling initiatives in Germany and Taiwan.
  • Analysis: Explore how these social efforts complement scientific solutions by changing public attitudes and behaviours towards the environment.

Technology has worsened conflict in society. Do you agree?

Is it fair to say that technology has only  worsened conflict In society?

Modern day Luddities have decried the overgrowth of technology in our lives, claiming that it has worsened our lives. These same neo-technophobes use handphones to communicate, use social media to gain attention and even take comfort in doctors giving them the all clear. These fatalists constantly misread technology and believe that sociopolitical tensions emanate from technology. Nothing can be further than the truth. Technology has not worsened conflict in society.

Anyone that claims that technology has exacerbated the potential for war really does not understand global politics. They cite Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D) as Cold-War relic that still has significance today.  Or these doomsday proponents will raise Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defence Initiative (S.D.I) as an additional example to bolster their weak M.A.D argument. Little do they realize that technology has infact reduced the need for destructive weapons. With military powers gaining technological advances, they have been able to map and track every pontial trouble and threat with satellites, sophisticated eavesdropping devices and surveillance. Now everyone knows what everyone else is doing. The recent war between Armenia and Azerbaijan proved that technology could reduce conflict and collateral damage.

Ignorant science fiction readers constantly get their kickers in a knot when artificial intelligence (AI) is mentioned. Instead of being happy at the progress of technology, they highlight how Boston Dynamics has produced a series of robots that will bring the end of mankind. Such people understand little about economics and productivity. One would go so far as to say that the reruns of Terminator have corrupted their mind to the extent that no logic can work on them. AI’s use is most effective in crunching large data and producing meta-analysis that can be useful. The use of AI in smart decision making, managing repetitive tasks, solving complex problems and enhancing medical science is set-aside and disregarded over science fiction that makes no economic sense.

Technology has provided underprivileged communities with tools needed to  combat systemic  inequalities. One  might  further  argue that  while minorities have historically, always, and inevitably  been underprivileged groups susceptible to  the  prejudices and  discrimination, with today’s technology many groups have become more empowered. These represent an entirely  new set of tools  with which underprivileged groups can finally effectively  contest their  marginalisation.  Social  media,  online learning, and online activism have enabled minority groups to bring attention to their plight, although it might not be significant in bringing immediate change. To say that technology has brought conflict is unfounded. Technology only worsens conflict  because it is unbridled and unregulated, without a strict ethical code  of application and laws  to  prevent its  misuse.  So  long  as  technology and  innovation are coupled with an  effective,  extensive and  comprehensive set  of laws and regulations, its negative impact  can be minimised while the  myriad  of positives it brings  are fully explored and  enjoyed.

There is no doubt that technological development has been  almost  single-handedly  responsible  for  the   astonishing improvement in global  standards of living as witnessed in the  past  three centuries. In itself,  this  has  reduced the  potential for  conflict,  because outright war is disincentivised in a time of material comfort that  risks ruination were  conflict  and  disruption to  arise.  Technology has not worsened conflict.

Technology has had a negative impact on people’s skills? Discuss.

Without a doubt, technology has majorly impacted skills of people in the world. While the progress of technology is important, people should be careful in not being overly-reliant on it.

Human beings have always discovered and invented devices and machines for their convenience. Today, technology has taken an important place in people’s life and has made their lives easier. However, with technology, there are also problems that have risen. Machines which were created for helping humans, have made humans lazy, unskilled and redundant. Today people are overly-reliant on technology. Though many skills have been replaced by technology, there are new skills which have gained prominence today. Hence, technology has a negative impact on people’s skills.

Automation has led people to lack many skills and has caused their role to minimise in many industries. In manufacturing, from making the dough for different cookies, to cutting them in different shapes and packing them, all tasks are now performed by machines and robots. In aviation, pilots use the auto-pilot function and use electronic interface to control the flight. The pilot’s role today is limited and skills required to become a pilot have reduced significantly. With so much being done by machines, it is a logical conclusion technology has a negative impact on people’s skills.

New and advanced technology has attracted people to games that involve virtual reality and advanced graphics. Unlike earlier times, where people, especially children took time to go out and play sports like cricket, badminton or swimming, children today are glued to their Playstation, X-box, computer screens and mobile games. In today’s times it is getting difficult to find young players who are genuinely interested in playing sports as opposed to just playing sports for fame and money.  Technology has given rise to new forms of sports as e-sports but these sports are not considered as sports by many because, who play these sports do not have great skills and are of little value in the real world. While playing real sports like football and tennis may build character and give one confidence, electronic sports do not provide any such benefit. Therefore, technology has also had an impact in sports creating a negative impact on people’s skills.

Technology has also impacted people’s soft skills and communication skills. Smartphones have given people a platform to connect with people from across the world however, people have lost their ability to communicate with people with mindfully and articulately. This is evident from the chat language people use in their daily communication. For example, using just “gn” for good night, “tc” for take care and “gbu” for god bless you. Similarly, people’s friendships today are limited to the extent of liking and commenting on a picture. It can thus be said that the art of communication has been lost significantly in present times. Applications like Twitter, have given people a stage to put forth their view but it has also made them intolerant towards other people’s views. People today are quick in jumping to conclusions and make their judgements based on limited facts, which sometimes are even fake. It can be said that technology has made people lose their reasoning skills and degraded human relationships, in turn. Therefore, technology has also had a negative impact on people’s skills and the ability to communicate rationally.

Though supporters of technology often say that people have replaced older skills with newer skills. They argue that people today are more well-versed in technology-based applications. However, these skills are not as intricate and lack in finesse as well. In earlier times people used to create handicrafts and painting with hand but with technology all that has changed. Skills like stitching, embroidering, fact-checking and map reading are being forgotten in our technological driven world.

Without a doubt, technology has majorly impacted skills of people in the world. While the progress of technology is important, people should be careful in not being overly-reliant on it. Over-reliance on technology will only lead to deterioration of people’s skills be it in the field of labour, communication or social interaction. Technology has had a negative impact on the skills of people.