Technology
The term technology is
derived from the Greek term technologia which
means systematic. Technology is known as the application of scientific
knowledge for practical purposes. Technology uses the concepts of and ideas of
in science to develop products that assist people in their daily lives.
Technology can also be used to solve pressing problems that we encounter.
LASER
Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by
Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It has long been used to encode and decode
CDs and DVDs, cut glass and steel and study the composition of the atmosphere.
Today, it is used to repair the torn retina of the eye, bore holes in the skull
and cauterize blocked blood vessels. This technology has made bloodless operations
possible. Laser has become a valuable tool for industry, communication and
medicine.
CT and MRI Scanners
CT or CAT is an acronym for Computerized Axial
Tomography. Using a type of an X-ray device, it can detect disorders of soft
internal organ tissues in the body. On the other hand, Magnetic Resonance
imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) are other forms of imaging
can produce pictures of the interior parts of the body by using the magnetic
properties of substances in the bodies.
Information and
Communications Technology
The presence of mobile
phones, social networking, email and the Internet made communications worldwide
more accessible. Computers have also shrunk in size from roomful of metal boxes
to little pads the size of a sheet of paper and as thick as a box of matches.
Today, it is quite difficult to distinguish a telephone from a computer because
they are now founding one device.
Satellite communication
is another important dimension of technology. Satellite TVs and satellite
radios have eased the broadcasting of events across the globe.
Selective Breeding
Through practical
application of genetic principles, plant breeders increase yields, develop
cross resistant to diseases and enhance nutritional value of fruits and
vegetables. Biotechnology has also improved the traits and characteristics of
crops that are useful for storage, shipping, and food processing.
Food Preservation
Food preservation is one
application of science that is very helpful. For a country like the Philippines
where a lot of foods are seasonal, this means lesser loss from spoilage. The
shelf life of food is prolonged, making more food available to people over a
long period of time.
Effects of Science and
Technology on Society
Science and Technology have influenced much of our lives. The
fruits of research from the different fields of science have made people’s
lives more convenient. Technology has definitely benefited society. The
automation brought about by technology has saved human effort and time to a
large extent. It has brought distant places closer and simplified information
access.
However, some products
of science have also caused human society pain and destruction. Technology was
also responsible for weapons and bombs that brought violence within and among
nations. In 1945, during the World War II, nuclear energy was used to bring Japan
to its knees through the atomic bombing in the cities of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. Over 200,000 people died in the bombing.
Another problem is the
development of nuclear energy as source of power for homes, trains, and
submarines. The worst nuclear power plant accident happened in Ukraine, the
Chernobyl disaster, on April 26, 1986. An explosion and fire released large
quantities of radioactive contamination in the atmosphere. The Russian
publication concluded that more than 985,000 deaths occurred between 1986 and
2004 as a result of contamination.
One of the biggest
problems is pollution, especially water and air pollution. Pollution is not a
product of science. It is just an after-effect. The burning of fossil fuels
causes the degradation of our environment because of air pollution. Furthermore,
as we become a material-based society where everything is made up of something
produced by people, we create large amounts of waste. Since products are cheap,
it is better to get new items rather than reuse or repair old and broken ones.
We have become a “disposable society” that also contributes to the worldwide
solid waste problem.
The bottom line is that
there are positive and negative effects in everything that concerns about
science and technology, but it is up to humans, as consumers of these two, to
choose how they will be used.
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