Nathaniels Midterm Essay

It would be incredibly ignorant for one to think that technology has not and will not continue to affect and shape each aspect of our every day life.  As Americans, weare almost appalled by those that do not have their own personal computers, their own cell phone, and even GPS systems installed into their automobiles.  I believe that it is fair to say that we are a very technologically driven society.  Technology has definitely made our lives easier and it IS difficult to imagine life without the latest gadgets and toys.  So, is this to say that sometimes we don’t get carried away and let technology run too many aspects ofour life? No.  My thesis for this essay is basically that technological advancement does move our society forward, however it is not a bad idea to step back to keep our selves in check every once and a while.

            I feel that sometimes certain technologies are used because they are simply available for us to use.  Just because a technology is there does not mean that it has to be used.  Sure, it is interesting to use these new technologies and to be aware of the fact that they exist but we don’t have to use them just because.  For example, PowerPoint is a very cool program to use for certain applications.  I know that in the business world, PowerPoint of often used for putting together presentations and keeping an audience interested that may only be impressed or sucked in to the presentation via the use of PowerPoint.  I have noticed over the 6 years that I have been studying at the college level that more and more professors are relying on PowerPoint to teach their classes.  Sure it is nice to be able to get onto Blackboard and download the PowerPoints so that one can follow along with  the lecture, but I don’t believe that this sort of thing should take the place of teaching.  I feel that in certain instances professors use PowerPoint more as a crutch rather than a tool.  It seems that anymore, teachers do not even teach…they just slap a PowerPoint up on the drop down screen and expect our minds to just suck up the information.

            I heard an amazing speaker back in my days at KU.  At the time, I was very into Philosophy and I would often try to make it to the guest speakers that the University would have.  I remember one speaker and he has forever stuck out in my mind.  He spoke about wisdom over intelligence/technology.  He spoke a great deal about scientific advancements in the area of warfare.  I remember himtalking about the creation of the Atom Bomb and how the Scientists were in awe of what they had the ability to create.  It sure was a scientific advancement at the time and many people were amazed with what they had done.  After many of the Scientists had seen the damage that this bomb produced, they were appalled at what they had created.  I understand that this is a fairly winded explanation, but I promise that I have a point.  The speaker was trying to get across the idea that the making and building of an Atom Bomb was possible by Scientists and it is impressive what man has the capability to do.  But on the other hand, was it really necessary to build a weapon that has the ability to destroy entire cities?  Just because Scientists have the ability to split atoms and make a really powerful weapon, should it be done?  I really felt that this message could really be put into perspective when talking about technology and the power that it carries with it. 

            I do really believe that technology has the ability to make our lives easier for us, but I think that sometimes we compromise way too much in order to make use of the new advancements.  It cracks me up to hear students talk about how they have never been to the MSU Library.  I really cannot believethat one can be a student at a State University and have never stepped foot into the library.  However, their answer is always, “Well, everything is on the Internet.”  This may actually be true, however sometimes I feel like we need to not forget what it was like to actually crack open a book or take notes by hand. A close friend of mine is studying to be a teacher and they have been addressing this “technology” issue very closely.  They discuss ways that they can infuse these technologies into the classroom to try to make the environment fun and interesting.  Now, I don’t necessarily see anything wrong with this idea.  But sometime I think to myself, should school really be all that fun?  When was the last time that studying for a really tough test was fun? If school was more fun, would we learn as much?  I go back to the cliché that my mother used to say to me, “No pain, No gain.” I really do feel this way about education.  Taking notes, studying for tests, getting up early to attend lectures is really not all that fun, but the “benefits” really are in our favor.  And I don’t feel that attaining an education should be easy, and I feel that implementing certain technologies into the classroom is doing just that.

            In many ways the Internet has made the world much smaller.  At any time and in many cases-any place, one can access information about pretty much any topic by just typing a few words into Google or Wikipedia. I remember the first time that I “surfed” the Information SuperHighway.  I was blown away!  I could just type in anything that I was interested in and in a matter of moments I was able to read all that I desired.  One can find information on snowboards made in Germany in a matter of seconds when doing the same task ten years ago may have taken a week or so.  The Internet has definitely made finding information about products and services incredibly easier. I know that the Internet has done so much for the global economy and will continue to do so.  Germany,Russia, and Japan do not seem all that far away anymore when we can be indirect contact with someone through email.

            In conclusions, Technology certainly does affect the world in so many ways.  I do feel that it is up to the individual to find a balance within themselves.  Technology has the power to hurt us and help us, it is just a matter of still living our lives at the end of the day and being able to separate ourselves just enough to still be human.