Future-Gazing eCulture

You don’t need a crystal ball to see what the future has in store for the world of technology. Today’s advancements in digitalisation and communications networks give a vague illustration of how society could potentially operate and function in the years to come. Scientists have confirmed that to-date, there are many technological advancement works in progress; some being a little more than sparks of ideas, some being fine tuned, and some simply waiting to launch into the right market conditions. While each idea dreamt up and turned into a reality holds a promise of improving or transforming current technology conditions, no-one can be certain of the affects they may have on future endeavours.

Many of the most sophisticated and powerful technologies that are utilised in today’s society aim to improve people’s lives, from powerful medical imagery to new sources of energy. The decision to advance current technology forms was not made by the Government or other political bodies alone. A certain percentage of tax payer’s money goes towards scientific research, as well as funds that individual’s voluntarily contribute. While many of us hope that there will come a day where technology will dictate how people live their lives, some of us question where the line is drawn between technology helping us and technology becoming who we are.

There have been many ideas submitted for new technology reforms, particularly since the creation, introduction and success of the Internet. Although not all are realistic, these proposed inventions give us an insight into what people believe technology is able to achieve – if the right amount of time, effort and resources were implemented. While we should never underestimate the capacity and power of technology, the idea that we could one day have robots as slaves or flying cars as transport does not only seem impractical, but also demonstrates society’s dependence on technology and lack of motivation. The possible re-shaping of humanity due to advanced technology may also alter society’s current and established values and beliefs and as a result, modify or amend the attitudes and respect individuals have towards each other. We will no longer require the help or assistance of others, only our technological counter-parts; which has the potential to turn us into a cyborg – half human, half machine.

I personally, have no issues with technology undergoing the advancement process – but only if it is to be utilised in order to assist people in areas to which we have no natural control over. I do however; think it is inappropriate and unreasonable to advance technology merely for the sake of simplifying people’s lives. If we all became in possession of a flying car, it would not only not require us to drive it, but also encourage the notion that we can afford to be lazy. Realistically, the world isn’t like that and nor should it ever be. Depending heavily and solely on advanced technology has the potential risk of leaving us clueless if one day, it fails us and crashes. By then, there is good chance that people will have become unfamiliar with the traditional or old ways of completing simple tasks; due to a “machine” always being present to do it for them. I agree that advanced technology should be utilised in areas such as medicine and education, whereby such an implementation can have life-changing results; but don’t believe that it should be applied to current inventions that don’t need to be improved. The future may be uncertain, but definitely not bleak.