The Impact of Modern Technology | Engelsk oppgave

Innledning
Technology is changing our world; our devices allow us to do things that were previously unimaginable. Modern tech helps society change how people interact with each other daily.

To interact with each other now, all we have to do is to double tap an Instagram post. We are living in a time where technological progress is common.

Utdrag
Yuval Noah Harari at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said in his text Change is the only constant, “Technology can help you a lot, but if technology gains too much power over your life, you might become a hostage to its agenda”.

I agree with this statement. Most people on for example Facebook put all the information they can think of on their profile, from where the respected person graduated, to their date of birth for everyone to see.

When someone comes along knowing how to use that information against you, you are pretty much helpless.

A Facebook data leak in 2019 saw 250 million users get their names, IDs, and phone numbers leaked.

This personal data can be used to for example steal someone’s identity. There were over 600 000 cases of identity theft in America last year.

Even though technology is dangerous, it is also addictive. By using your mobile phone and social media, a chemical called dopamine is released, which is why it feels good to receive a snapchat, or a text message.

In a 2012 study, Harvard reported that talking about yourself on social media activates a sensation of pleasure in the brain. Dopamine is the same chemical that makes us feel good when we drink, smoke, and gamble.

In other words, this makes using modern technology highly addictive. Studies show that people who spend more time on their devices and social media suffer higher rates of depression and mental health issues than the people who spend less time on their devices and social media.

Although technology can be dangerous and addictive, it can be used as a valuable tool for us humans.

Being able to communicate from country to country in what seems like an instant is an advancement no one would believe in just 50 years ago.

The possibility to exchange information instantaneously is a tool which really helps us making our day to day lives more efficient.