UWW310 Technology's Effect on Society

If you're anything like me, you reach for your smartphone as soon as you wake up to check email and respond to texts. The rest of the day, you're constantly on a tablet, mobile device, laptop or desktop for personal or professional use. You're messaging, browsing, friending, tweeting and sharing.

How technology effects our society? Is technology boon or bane for the society? Read the article to know the impact of technology on our society.

This article recounts a trip undertaken by the Dalai Lama in 2013. The first part discusses a talk he gave at the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan and touches on the Buddhist view of technology and its relationship with society. The Dalai Lama sees both positive and negative aspects of technology and shares his perspective with characteristic thoughtfulness. Nice piece for those interested in Buddhism, religious studies, sociology, or technology.

This article recounts the possibility that ISIS is utilizing the low profile technology which is under the radar of the FBI within Sony's PlayStation gaming consoles. Simple voice communication within gaming chat is a plausible format for ISIS communication, although proof of this occurring is not confirmed. The concept that communication may be possible through the game consoles of the popular makers will heighten the concern for monitoring of this media by governments. Nice piece for those interested in ISIS, terrorism or gaming technology.

This in-depth article looks at how technology impacts teens in our society and what this impact may have on human potential in the future (the year 2020). Based on the idea that the brains of those under 35 will be wired differently because of technology, the authors draw on a variety of sources to explore how our potential as people may be effected. Good information for those interested in technology and the digital world, child development, and social psychology.

This older article gives a nice overview of the inherent risks of technology in regard to interpersonal relationships. The author is looking specifically at the effects of internet addiction here. Gives general information and advice---not too preachy or scientifically in-depth (clearly it's written for a general audience) but good for those in psychology, social work, and mental health counseling fields.

Another fascinating article about the existential impact of technology on society. The author asserts that technology exploits our natural inclinations toward mindlessness, potentially leading to a society devoid of mindful relationships, behavior, interactions, and presence. Blends elements of neuroscience, technology, and philosophy…perfect for anyone studying/interested in these subjects.

This short piece, drawn from a TED talk, examines how technology changes the nature of experience. It profiles the work of Indian novelist Abha Dawesar, who gave a TED talk on this particular topic. Dawesar is interested in "the dangers of our time- and space- warping technologies," which cause us to live in a "digital now." This "digital now" is not exactly "the now" of the real world. Fascinating stuff. Excellent article (and associated TED talk) for those studying philosophy and the existential impacts of technology.

"As technology gets better, will society get worse?" This article takes a unique approach to answering this question. It incorporates elements of theory, logic, and evolutionary perspective to hypothesize how technology may change society as we evolve (or "self-evolve," as the author suggests). This is a great article for those interested in/studying sociology, the physical sciences, and (obviously) technology.

I was surprised when I heard of this phenomena in Japan right now. My Japanese friends say it is mostly due to video game addictions and lack of motivation to do anything that does not have a digital representation. It is actually a real thing, and where technology does not have all the blame, it defiantly plays its part.

Melissa Nilles Arts & Entertainment Editor Photo by Andrea Rodriguez I had a terrible nightmare the other night. Instead of meeting for a quick cup of coffee, my friend and I spent 30 minutes texting back and forth about our day.