Effects of Technology, Essay Example

Telegraph was the first technology to revolutionized long-distance communication. The messages that would take as long as months to be sent to distant places now could be sent in minutes due to telegraph. The telegraph also revolutionized global news industry. Prior to telegraph, information about global events would often already has become outdated by the time it would reach other geographical areas but telegraph helped increase awareness of on-going global issues (Elon University School of Communications).

Telephonealso revolutionized the society. First of all, it made instant communication a reality. It also created a new major industry with millions of customers. By mid-20^th century, there were at least 30 million telephone-connected homes in America. Telephone also became a huge force to maintain security and peace within the communities as it was embraced by law enforcement and rescue services but it also became a tool in the hands of the criminals (Elon University School of Communications). As far as electric system is concerned, it helped increase the overall quality of life for an average citizen. The public places and pathways could be lit at night and similarly many inventions such as vacuum cleaner had sprung up by early 20^th century. (Science Museum).

Arguably the most revolutionary technology in recent decades has been the internet and it is not a stretch to claim that internet will easily be considered one of the most revolutionary technologies in the entire human history. First of all, internet will help bridge the gap between rich and poor nations. Education is one of the essential requirements for society’s economic progress and internet has democratized access to knowledge and information. In addition, internet has been providing more economic opportunities to poor nations as a major enabler of outsourcing.

Internet will also help promote global peace because it has been enabling greater cross-cultural interaction among people from different cultures. When people directly communicate with each other, they are able to recognize misinformation, bias, and prejudice and develop greater appreciation for cultural diversity. Internet will also promote peace by supporting democratic efforts around the world. We have already seen the power of internet in Arab Spring because it has become easier for individuals to make their voices heard and join hands for common causes.

Internet will change almost every imaginable industry, even those that have preserved their original model for centuries. We have already witnessed brick-and-mortar retail chains going out of business and it is expected that most consumers will have groceries delivered same day to their homes. Schools and universities are finally experimenting with digital technologies to replace the old format of chalkboard in every classroom. News is now being delivered in real-time and often for free. Journalism is now not the domain of professional journalists only but instead a huge army of citizen journalists has been on the rise.

Certain technologies enable industrial revolution due to their huge potential and internet fits the mold. We have already seen our world changing in dramatic ways over the last two decades and we have only seen the tip of iceberg so far. One cannot even imagine how our world will be in next few decades but it will nonetheless beyond our wildest imaginations.

References

Elon University School of Communications. (n.d.). 1830s-1860s – Telegraph. Retrieved February 10, 2014, from http://www.elon.edu/e-web/predictions/150/1830.xhtml#changes

Elon University School of Communications. (n.d.). 1870s-1940s – Telephone. Retrieved February 10, 2014, from http://www.elon.edu/e-web/predictions/150/1870.xhtml#changes

Science Museum. (n.d.). Electricity, women and the home. Retrieved February 10, 2014, from http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/on-line/energyhall/page177.asp