Introduction
Since the industrial revolution, society has become more and more dependent on
technology. So much so that we sometimes lack the willingness to think before we act. We
become impatient if it takes more than a few seconds to download a copy of the morning
news paper. We expect immediate responses to our email, and we expect someone to
answer their cell phone whenever and wherever we call. Industrialization resulted in rapid
and sustained economic growth and a massive increase in consumer goods. But at the same
time, for many people it meant a thoroughly unpleasant work environment.1
People in todays society are always looking for ways to improve their lifestyles and in
some way help deal with their physical environment. Agriculture; Farming and cattle
herding led to the growth of large, settled human populations and increasing competition
for productive lands, touching off organized warfare. The need for transportation brought
vehicles into the market. The need for employees brought mechanical robots into society.
Battles over land brought on the need for sophisticated weapons. The agricultural system
brought on a revolution.
The invention of the television has brought all forms of entertainment into our houses with
video and audio combined. Before 1950, newspapers and radio were the only ways to
bring media or entertainment into the house. Mass production and other job opportunities
brought many people from the rural areas and farms into the city. Society is more reliant
on technology than ever before. While technologies have their advantages there is a
negative effect to all this technology as well. Technology can actually harm society rather
then help it. Competition between companies or even cities can sometimes make our lives
for even worse. When a city builds more roads to attract tourists, the result is more traffic,
not less. Even things we take for granted such as the automobile have negative effects on
society. In order for us to operate cars we must have gasoline. The gasoline is the result of
the refining of crude oil and most of this oil needs to be imported and sometimes accidents
such as the Exxon Valdez incident spills many gallons of oil into the ocean. All of these
examples show how technology has negative effects on society.
Technology and Society
Sometimes, the introduction of a new technology can lead to competition among
businesses. This competition can have a negative effect. When a company in the U.S.
produces shoes and a company in Europe produces shoes as well, they must fight for their
