One of the major issues I run into regarding technological advances and nature is in regards to emergencies. In a debate I held in a previous class, many people were for bringing cell phones and GPS (Global Positioning System) devices into the woods, in case of medical emergencies. Their rationale was that if something were to go wrong, they could call 911 or alert someone as to their coordinates. This would speed up help and allow them to get out safely. While I think in a relatively urban setting cell phones are suitable and useful for emergencies, they become somewhat obsolete in the woods. Depending on how many days it took to hike in is directly relational to the number of hours (or days) it takes to get a rescue team in. Though technology may allow for the direct pinpointing of the location and save time, there is also the reality that it may not be enough. Thus stems the idea that we have come to rely on technology.
While technology has made advances, I do think it is causing major problems, especially in these types of scenarios. People are becoming dependent on cell phones and quick access to advance medicine (thanks to technology) and have slowly been weaned away from learning the skills themselves. If people continue to stay in very populated areas, this may never become a problem. Yes, we may become lazier, but that is not as large a side effect as when people are pulled out of this setting. Even newer reality TV shows are based solely around taking people out of their comfort zone, stripping them of their technologies and seeing their reaction. I think this dependence is becoming a problem because we are lacking certain skills and are also considering it our “safety net”. By this I mean, few people have backup plans when the computer crashes, or when their cell phones die. What happens when a 911 call doesn’t go through in the woods? Or, for that matter, when someone does something stupid and makes an emergency call because they do have access to technology?
So my question is, does anyone think technology is becoming a “crutch”? What will happen if we become too dependent on technology? Are all these medical advances due to technology helping or hindering our skill level/willingness to act?
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It does seem that we have become too dependent on technology. I don't know what is a better metaphor: a crutch or a couch. It was originally intended as a means to support our survival and incite our prosperity. Now it has become more of a replacement for our natural functions. We drive more than we walk. Some people text more than they talk. We're slowly replacing our instincts with technology.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to say whether or not the harm will be greater than the benefits in the long run. Technologies like GPS systems and advanced medicines do have an unparalleled function that instincts will never match, but it's uncertain whether our technology will serve us or fail us in the future.
I think it’s fair to say that humanity in general has become way more dependent on technology in the last 20 years. However, sometimes I think us as humans get a bad rap when talking about our relationship with technology. I don’t like that there are those people who txt more than they talk or say more on facebook than they would ever say in person. But when we look at the amazing things technology has done for us you cannot argue its value. I mean honestly ask yourself, if you were in the woods with somebody close to you and they got seriously hurt; would not call 911? Would you know what to do immediately? Would you panic? I think that when it comes to emergency situations we are a hundred times better off with a cell phone at hand, regardless if we are trained in survival skills or not.
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