The only thing that technology has done to us, in a negative way, is sped up our lives. We all move a mile a minute, trying to get things done as fast as possible. Our communication has drastically changed, with the Internet, cell phones, and TV. Due to many of these items and our lifestyle now, we are creating more greenhouse gases, but without technology, we wouldn’t even know what greenhouse gasses were.
So yes we are destroying the environment, but at least we know we are doing it. And it is not because of technology, it is our us. It is the process of what we are doing, not the fact that technology exists. We are capable of creating technology that does not have much of an impact on the environment; we just don’t want to change. Well we are starting to, but the change may take to long to have the right affect. The change is also only by some, and some of those are doing more then others.
To start we need to make electronics, cars, manufacturing processes, etc. more efficient, redesign them if need be. This will allow us to use less power and produce less greenhouse gasses. We should also realize, how much crap we have as Americans, it really sickens me, especially how much we do not use it. We feel the need to collect junk and fill our basements, closets, and attics with it; sometimes we even need to get storage facilities for them.
Becoming independent of fossil fuels should also be a major step in the right direction. Electricity does not have to be a bad thing, as long as we are conscious of it and to use it wisely. Currently, we use it without any penalty except a little money. Most people have no idea where their power is coming from or being used by. Many companies are trying to change this, by installing a dashboard in a home, that tells you your performance. This would allow us to understand how we are using our homes and allow us to use them better. At the very least it may make people feel guilty about how much power they are using. Google is starting to make their own dashboard and will have all homes that use one connected through the Internet, so that people can compare their energy use to others.
I believe that your one negative effect of technology is a large one. I feel like people rarely spend a day without their computer or phone and instead go hiking through the woods, but this is how our society has come to operate. I do agree with your statements about energy and power and i hope soon this country will begin to utilize alternative energies to a greater extent.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point, if people saw how much energy they were actually wasting in there homes change would take hold easier I believe. So many people constantly leave lights on, cell phone charges plugged in, tv's on, etc because there is no direct information given to them about how much energy is being unnecessarily used. Dashboards in homes would be an excellent thing to have.
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