Technology Smackdown

The world is slowly turing to a techno-world

Abigail Washam, Section Editor, The Bagpipe|February 11, 2016

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A few years ago, if someone had said that technology was taking over, people would probably not have believed it. Today, however, technology is becoming more and more prevalent in our ever expanding society. In fact, we use it so often, we probably don’t remember what it was like before we had it at our beck and call.

The transition started out small, with cell-phones and GPS systems in every car. Now, not only do we have faster, more reliable cellular devices, but self driving cars and robots performing what was once considered an everyday, mundane tasks. It seems like there is always some form of technology being used.

Those everyday tasks, wether surprising or not, include just the simple act of driving. In fact, Apple recently began working on improving self driving electric cars.

These cars could raise a few questions. One in particular is questioning what will happen to teenagers that are soon-to-be licensed drivers. After all, if they have a self-driving car, would they need a license?

While I might not be one, many parents would probably agree that driving is not only a right of passage, but also a new freedom for teens as they are getting closer to becoming adults and stepping into the world. And let us not forget the possibility that a self-driving car could pose more of a hazard that an actual person behind the wheel.

Cars aside, and maybe more obvious, is the use of technology in the classrooms. It seems that schools are going from the standard pen and paper to an online based classroom with textbooks and computer assignments. But all that online work could be more of a hazard than you think.

The usage of a computer and/or a laptop does in fact have its benefits, but it may also have some harmful affects on your body. Some of those harmful affects, but not completely limited to, can include strain on your eyes and also back pain.

Another thing that can become a problem with online assignments- if something were to happen with the internet or the server in which the assignment was found, then a student would not be able to complete the assignment. This may not seem like a big deal in the long run, but if it continually happens, then a student’s learning is interrupted and they miss out on their chance at that part of their education.

Let’s face it: technology is taking over the world. A newer and faster techno based society is becoming the new normal. But is all this technology really worth the risks that could possibly be posed in doing so?