Sunday, November 3, 2013

How Technology is impacting American Safety

BY: Pierre Exy

Technology is the branch of knowledge that combines creativity and technical means to solve problems related to life, society, and the environment, according to dictionary.com. Technology uses industrial arts, pure sciences, engineering, and applied sciences. Simply defined, technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, according to Google search engine. Technology has been around for ages. It was evident since prehistoric times (with the invention of the wheel). Technologies’ reign was catapulted during the Industrial age. In the Information age, technology has gone beyond the minds of some people with our abilities to communicate with anyone across the world through the internet. Technology makes our life easier, but without proper management, I think that technological innovation could be a safety hazard. In this blog, I will look at the pros and cons of technological innovation, and how it is impacting the safety of all Americans.

The advantages of technology are that we are more efficient because of it. Computers have apps that can make student’s learning process easier. Machines like the tractor, make farming land more efficient and less-labor intensive. Innovation in hybrid cars and battery-powered cars has reduced our reliance on oil. Americans can now feel safer when driving with On Star, a subsidiary of General Motors Company that provide drivers with “peace of mind,” automatic crash response, roadside assistance, and hand-free calling. You can also lock your car using a Smartphone. The National Security Agency’s Surveillance Program, under former president Bush and now under president Obama, has enabled the monitoring of phone and internet activity of Americans, which can continue to keep Americans safe.

The disadvantages of technology are that if it is not managed well, the safety of Americans is in jeopardy. Over 100,000 accidents are a result of texting and driving. New technologies in the dashes of cars are alse distracting drivers, like the new gps in the Audi A6. Fraud has also escalated with the use of technology. For example, anyone could steal your identity if you are not careful with the information you provide when you are looking for jobs or surfing the internet. Computers can also cause issues such as cyber-bullying, the use of the internet to harass others, and or stalking of individuals.






References: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSA_warrantless_surveillance_controversy - Cached


swampland.time.com/.../obama-defends-nsa-surveillance-programs-anew...


2 comments:

  1. I agree and believe the main disadvantage in technology is not managing it properly. As Americans the newest technology is never good enough for us and we will always abuse technology and one example is texting. Texting has revolutionized the way individuals communicate and have made it more efficient and effective in some ways of communicating. However when we abuse texting, one example being texting and driving. We then put ourselves and others at a higher risk of car crashes. At the end of the day there will always be technology abusers and people that will always break the law. I believe the answer to mismanagement of technology can be stop if we create a tool or device that will eliminate the risk that creates the problem.

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  2. Technology as great as it is has to be used properly! As mentioned above if one is operating this technology in a manner which is dangerous then he or she can face severe consequences primarily death.

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