For some people, progress has negative consequences. In class for example, we see that there are more negative aspects than positive ones. Firstly, the notion of progress has an impact on our working manner, notable through platforms such as the Internet.
For example, « the Joy of tech” shows 3 people who are jobless and who have become beggars, primarily because of their stupid/childish behaviour on social networks, which in turn destroyed / ruined their lives.
There are also different ways to working, for instance, working from home or telecommunicating. These 2 also have drawbacks. Indeed, when you work at home, you almost never have the opportunity or the need to go out, thus you always stay at home. This makes one feel lonely, and there is no one to socialize with. Plus, you can’t be part of a team/can’t share ideas. Also when you work at home, there may be distractions such as noisy children. The same thing can be said for telecommunication. It’s all very boring.
Furthermore, there are impacts on relationships, as there isn’t any human contact. People feel like they don’t need to go out and socialize as everything can be done from home. Communication has evolved however we don’t even communicate with each other anymore!
Nowadays, communication is more and more virtual. People communicate via screens and there is less face-to-face interaction.
The cartoon 3 of « screens everywhere » shows the generation gap between father and son. A teenager is glued to his computer instead of being outside with is father. The boy is so addicted to the internet that he lives in an imaginary world and thinks everything can be done online !
Moreover, technological progress has brought about risks, particularly involving the internet. Many people are hurt and even killed owing to the fact that they use the internet on a cellphone. For instance, in cartoon 2 titled « the screens everywhere » a woman is watching a video where 3 girls get in an accident because they were texting. But the driver is watching the same video on his phone ! He’s not focused on the road. This is a dangerous habit: as he may cause an accident/ get hurt or even kill someone. The same thing can be said when we walk on the sildwalk. Nowadays, most people don’t even look where they’re walking, because their eyes are glued to their cellphone screen ! So they don’t see what is happening around them, nor if they’re putting themselves or others in danger.
And also in “Is privacy dead?”,we can see that people can have their identity stolen, their personal information can be used against them if they’re not careful enough.
Finally, the most important effect is on our future ! because with new technology we can do anything. We can even change human genetics ! For example, in « A baby please ! » the parents can choose the characteristics of their future chid, just like a child choosing a doll!!! Although progress can improve our lives we should keep it under control if we don’t want to become robots in the future. It’s amazing ! In the « Brave new world » which is a science-fiction book, scientific progress has allowed clones be created. The world that is described is dominated by a totalitarian government, and the population is divided into categories: the upper cast and the lower cast.
Conclusion :
To sum up the idea of progress, there are both positive and negative effects. Today we mainly focused on the negative, and we must pay attention to how we use it. It isnt necessary but it helps to improve communication, the way of living, working and our future. So, in my opinion, we should fear technological progress. Nevertheless, we have come to a day and age where we cannot without live without it.
