Does the internet & technology in general; have more advantages then disadvantages...?!?

Question

Does technology fundamentally improve your quality of life? New technology always seems to demand more and more new sets of other technology in order to support it.
There have been many "advances" over the century, and while they've benefited us greatly, they cause frustration with small/simple everyday things, bringing on laziness, unhappiness, and a sense of dissatisfaction- Some even argue that the internet promotes anti-social behavior & a glorification of the self, at home, alone...
Would you say that's actually true at all?, to what extent?, and how might this be linked to technologies overall impact?- Is it all resutling in more bad then good?

Answer 1

Internet Technology has been very advantageous to everyone. We cannot deny the fact that people around the world have been in touch by a mere click of their hands. Business had been very fast in these terms. It made the world smaller. However, there also disadvantages if Internet is used as a means to engage in cybersex or its equivalent. I agree with the first answerer that the use of internet must be in moderate, I would also add that it must be used as an advantage tool.

I agree on the point you are driving but people must have a sense of responsibility in the usage of such tools. We must learn to face the good values it gives rather than use it to deviate people to wrongdoings. Literelly, everything in this world has its good and evil. It is up to us citizens to do what is right.

Thanks for asking. Have a great day!

Answer 2

The internet, specifically, is a tool and like all other tools it can be used both for good or harm. I think the most important function of the internet is to facillitate communication. Like roads in the Roman Empire and the invention of the printing press, the internet is, most importantly, a means to open up the exchange of ideas. The expansion of communication between cultures does not necessarily make life more easier. In fact, it can make life more complex because it has the possibility to expose people to, often, competing versions of reality. In the long run, this exposure can expand our individual knowledge about ourselves and our place in the universe. But, as with all change, it will not be easy at first and many might resist the knowledge.

There are those that feel that the internet exposes, particularly children, to these new realities too quickly and they will point to the abundance of such items as pornography online to emphasis the dangers of the internet. It must be noted that when the printing press was invented the most prevelent items printed were pornographic in nature. It just goes to show you that not much has changed about human nature. The second most popular items were political pamphlets that were exchanged throughout Europe and provided the impetus for what would become the Protestant Reformation. It is possible to say that the internet may spur on similar reformation movements in the Islamic world for the anonymity of the internet often allows for moderate Muslims to air grievances against theocratic rule.

The potential for great social change and politically accountability are some of the more important features of the internet age.

Answer 3

They do NOT have the same advantages and disadvantages. They share some similarities (they are both hydrocarbons for example) but there are also some very important differences. I recommend you do more research. Pay particular attention to where we get these materials, the costs of production, and look at the details of combustion.

Answer 4

First of all... I think a distinction needs to be made between things like spears and mocassins and more advanced forms of technology that required the institutions of writing to record information and make advancements on the manipulation of materials.

Secondly... many people who read this will obviously have bought into the idea of computers as useful and don't want to think of the negative uses or the pollution they create. You yourself may have some prejudices which I'd like to ask you to consider and suspend.

That said... I will provide some links as sources to the following claims:

Advanced technological societies (as opposed to less materialistic primitive technological societies) have brought about the current climate crisis (global warming) which threatens much life on earth.

The earth is currently in the midst of an unprecedented mass extinction. http://www.well.com/user/davidu/extinction.html
This is due to the activities of advanced technological societies. This crisis could very possibly doom humanity.

More people on earth are starving in total numbers (and per-capita) now, in this technologically advanced civilization, than at any other point in history OR (more notably PREhistory). Primitive tribes (like the Cherokee or the Australian Aboriginals) do not starve until they come into contact with aggressive advanced technological societies which disrupt their natural ways of life. http://www.eco-action.org/dt/affluent.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starvation

Techno-industrial civilization has created the means to destroy most life on earth with it's nuclear capabilities. This threat still persists and is very real.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_war
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster

Other technologies like genetic engineering could be militarized and used for genocidal purposes.
http://reeki.notlong.com/

The amount of work done by average humans has increased in the technological age. I refer again to the "Original Affluent Society" by Sahlins and I contrast that with the number of people working in sweatshops around the world (whether they feel adequately compensated or not). The difference between working in a coal mine, or on an assembly line, or even in front of a computer all day is noticeably different than hunting buffalo with your friends and gathering berries.

Primitive does not mean stupid. A primitive child may not understand how to operate a computer but they do learn how to identify plants for their uses and understand the cycles of nature.

In short I will conclude by saying that advanced technology presents more disadvantages than advantages. Here are a couple more links for more information along these lines.

http://www.primitivism.com
http://www.awok.org

The best use of advanced technology is against advanced technology.

Answer 5

like anything, use in moderation for best results.

I can look at pictures of jupiter, get medical advice, play a game of minesweeper and make free long distance calls to japan.

although, for a bit I was also a mighty World of Warcraft junkie so i know how deep the rabbit hole can go. despite this, ya i think the benefits far outweight the consequences.

Answer 6

I feel the technology is generally making life better, but I am aware of some serious issues.

Answer 7

Internet is a bit cemented at the moment ... maybe overestimated?