Living in the IT Era

Personal Advancements
In the communication arena, technology has been widely seen in the emailing, social
media, and mobile phones. The mobile phones have constantly enhanced
communication to allow for varied features to be performed far beyond what was there
initially. The social media has been used to offer promotion for products, businesses
and other enterprises. Communication technologies have made it possible for different
languages to be applied to and used in the communication devices.
• Mobile technology: There is no doubt that mobile technology has come a very long
way, with both tablets and high-spec smartphones available. People of all ages these
days own at least one of these devices and some are never seen without their phone
glued to their hands. Of course, the wide range of features that these devices offer also
helps, as they can be used for everything from texting and calling through to internet
access and taking high quality video or photos.
• Streaming technology: The ability to stream content direct to the PC or mobile
devices has revolutionized the way in which individuals view content. They can now
head to movie streaming sites and enjoy access to a huge host of movies and shows
whenever and wherever they want to. This is something people can do at home on the
PC or by linking up to a big screen TV as well as on their mobile devices while out and
about.
• Cloud computing: The cloud is something that many people now use both for
personal use and for business use. The information is stored on the cloud and this
means that it can be accessed from anywhere and from any internet enabled device.
So, you don’t have to be tied to your desk or be using a particular device in order to
access the service or information that you are looking for.
• High speed broadband: Some people will remember the days of dial up internet,
which at the time seemed revolutionary. However, if the younger generation of today
were faced with using it they would brand it prehistoric. With high speed broadband
services offering lightning fast speeds you can now get online and browse without any
problem.
• Mobile broadband and Wi-Fi: The availability of mobile broadband networks enables
people to use their data while on the go and still get online using mobile devices.

The evolution of technology has made it possible to enhance the level of security in
homes, towns, and cities. The modes currently being used does not require a person to
stay up all night. The current use of cameras, UV light, finger and eye detection
mechanisms have made security to go to another level. Indeed, the use of passwords is
slowly getting overtaken by the upcoming technologies. These securities are, however,
not fully effective as technology also facilitates the committal of crimes. Measures are,
nevertheless, being put in place to completely do away with this vice.
Professional Advancements
The advent of technologies such as personal computers has ushered a transformation
in life.
Proponents of such technologies predict that they will enable individuals to construct
and test tentative insights into complex systems. The evolution of technology is
presumed to have the capacity to alter the relationships between individuals and
societies that consider it difficult to interact with one another. For instance, with regard
to education, it is hoped that teachers will turn into interdisciplinary enablers of learners’
creativity. Educators do, indeed, have the ability to create a legitimate space for
experimentation with the intention of guiding learning toward the intended results
In the field of medicine, technology, and especially Information Technology has been a
major contributor to medical success.
Doctors have been able to acquire data using machines like computerized axial
tomography and the magnetic resonance imaging. Medical practitioners have been able
to provide enhanced services due to the three dimensional images of the internal
structure of bodies that medical technologies have provided. These images are useful in
creating a framework of the patient’s problem, a situation that helps in providing
enhanced treatment.
For companies, progress is saving in time and therefore in money. Exchanges are
faster especially with the internet. Sales and purchases are now facilitated and possible
worldwide. This allows businesses to buy raw materials with discounts or at reduced
prices. Similarly, global tourism has grown.
Every day another company brings out something more advanced in an attempt to win
the consumer war against another company. This consumerism is driving the rate of
advancement faster and faster each year
. The development of the IPhone by Apple is an example of this. Apple brought out a
phone that could literally do everything and no other company in the mobile phone
market could compare to it. Not only could you make phone calls and text, but you could
also watch videos, take pictures and videos, listen to music, connect to the internet, you
had app’s for almost anything. It’s the application market that really blew the other
mobile phone companies out of the market at the time. You could download games,
books, news, social networking sites in seconds. Of course this was a positive as
people could use the phone to store data for work, education, entertainment. But the
negative claims began as well, too expensive, quick battery power loss and could a
device like this stop face to face communication all together to name just a few claims.
Technology will always have negative aspects because it depends on what the use of
the technology is for and who is using it; Albert Einstein once said ‘Technological
progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal’.
Ethics in IT
Computers and information systems are used everywhere in society. New technologies
are invaluable tools but they may have serious ethical consequences. The way an
information technology tool affects sensitive issues has a direct impact on its
effectiveness and usability. It may be difficult for users and stakeholders to adopt a
computer system if they feel that its use violates important values and interests. To take
advantage of a computer tool may not be easy in situations dominated by ethical
conflicts. There is a great risk that expensive but necessary computer systems are
abandoned because of scandals and conflicts. There is also a risk that ethically
controversial systems are used sub optimally, that persons may get hurt, and that
organizations may be damaged if they hesitate to use otherwise important and
necessary computer tools.
Ethics in IT aims at the construction of tools that can be applied in systems
development and use for the consideration of significant ethical aspects. The application
of suitable ethical tools is a prerequisite to consider significant aspects in all phases of
computer systems development, implementation and use. Ethical tools are necessary
not only to construct a system that avoids conflicts with significant moral principles but
mainly to build a successful system that will play a significant role in satisfying the most
important values of users and stakeholders. http://www.it.uu.se/research/project/itethics
About Ethics in Information Technology
by Nicholas Katers - Updated September 26, 2017
Every advancement in information technology is accompanied by at least one ethical
quandary. From Facebook to email updates, computer users are unaware of the fine
balance between ethics and profit struck by providers. Software developers, businesses
and individuals must think about the rights and wrongs of using information technology
every day. The fundamental issues underlying the world of information technology are
the end user's expectation of privacy and the provider's ethical duty to use applications
or email responsibly.
Data Mining
Data mining covers a wide range of activities that turn numbers, words and other data
into distinguishable patterns. In the hands of a responsible agency or business, data
mining can determine a probable next step for a terrorist cell or determine buying
patterns within demographic groups. This practice has been assailed in the post 9/11
world as part of a widespread pattern of invasions of privacy carried out by America's
intelligence experts. The practices of the Total Information Awareness Progress in
particular were thought to pry into the day-to-day lives of innocent people by IT ethics
experts and civil libertarians.
Social Networking
The social networking craze may allow people around the world to speak with each
other but it has also brought up several IT ethics issues. Facebook initiated a program
called Beacon in 2007 to turn each user's personal information into an advertisement,
allowing a greater amount of connectivity between the website's members. Facebook's
developers failed to create an opt-in system that gave willing users the chance to
participate of their own accord. Beacon came under fire for pulling information from
Facebook profiles and breaking down privacy boundaries common in the real world.
Another ethical issue for social networking websites is the amount of security they
should use when registering members. Several abductions in recent years have been
connected to MySpace, bringing up concerns that social networking sites aren't doing
enough to protect young users.
E-Mail Spam
Spam is defined broadly as emails with commercial or profane messages that are sent
blindly to hundreds and thousands of users. Aside from the content of spam email, the
major ethical issues for service providers and individuals alike involve identifying
spammers. Email programs through AOL and Yahoo! may identify some spammers who
are brazen enough to send out millions of emails but their spam programs rely largely
on user feedback. While some users will identify legitimate spammers carrying viruses
and pornographic messages, there is the potential for users to identify legitimate
companies as spammers.
Intellectual Property and Information Technology
The merger of intellectual property rights and information technology has been rough
going since the 1990s. The advent of Napster, Limewire and other peer-to-peer
downloading networks brought the issue of infringing on artistic property to the fore.
NBC's exclusive rights to the 2008 Olympic Games were challenged by bloggers and
online pirates who placed footage on YouTube. The ethical issue that arises when
dealing with intellectual property in the virtual world is the length to which content
producers should pursue permission to reprint images and articles. While lifting entire
articles for a term paper is clearly unacceptable, there are questions from ethicists
about the practicality of seeking out unknown artists and writers for something as minor
as a blog.
Filtering Online Content
Comcast has come under fire in the past two years for blocking downloads from Bit
Torrent. The Internet service provider (ISP) has claimed that "throttling down"
downloads via Bit Torrent is a reasonable element of maintaining high-speed service.
Religious groups, adult websites and others have banned together in an unusual
alliance to fight Comcast's effort to filter content. The major ethical debate raged
between ISP, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and end users is
whether Internet service should be content-neutral.
Resources
• Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
• Association for Information Technology Professional
https://bizfluent.com/about-4743180-ethics-information-technology.html

Ethics is a set of beliefs about right and wrong behavior within a society. Ethical
behavior conforms to generally accepted norms—many of which are almost universal.
However, although nearly everyone would agree that certain behaviors—such as lying
and cheating—are unethical, opinions about what constitutes ethical behavior can vary
dramatically.
ETHICS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The growth of the Internet, the ability to capture and store vast amounts of personal
data, and greater reliance on information systems in all aspects of life have increased
the risk that information technology will be used unethically. In the midst of the many IT
breakthroughs in recent years, the importance of ethics and human values has been
underemphasized—with a range of consequences. Here are some examples that raise
public concern about the ethical use of information technology:
• Many employees have their email and Internet access monitored while at work, as
employers struggle to balance their need to manage important company assets and
work time with employees’ desire for privacy and self direction.
• Millions of people have downloaded music and movies at no charge and in apparent
violation of copyright laws at tremendous expense to the owners ofthose copyrights.
• Organizations contact millions of people worldwide through unsolicited email (spam)
as an extremely low-cost marketing approach.
• Hackers break into databases of financial and retail institutions to steal customer
information, then use it to commit identity theft—opening new accounts and charging
purchases to unsuspecting victims.
• Students around the world have been caught downloading material from the Web and
plagiarizing content for their term papers.
• Web sites plant cookies or spyware on visitors’ hard drives to track their online
purchases and activities.
This book is based on two fundamental tenets. First, the general public needs to
develop a better understanding of the critical importance of ethics as it applies to IT;
currently, too much emphasis is placed on technical issues. Unlike most conventional
tools, IT has a profound effect on society. IT professionals and end users need to
recognize this fact when they formulate policies that will have legal ramifications and
affect the wellbeing of millions of consumers.
The second tenet on which this book is based is that in the business world, important
decisions are too often left to the technical experts. General business managers must
assume greater responsibility for these decisions, but to do so they must be able to
make broad-minded, objective decisions based on technical savvy, business know-how,
and a sense of ethics. They must also try to create a working environment in which
ethical dilemmas can be discussed openly, objectively, and constructively.
Thus, the goals of this text are to educate people about the tremendous impact of
ethical issues in the successful and secure use of information technology; to motivate
people to recognize these issues when making business decisions; and to provide tools,
approaches, and useful insights for making ethical decisions.
We are living in an era of advanced technology, where every part of our daily lives is
related to the science of craft in one way or another. There’s no doubt that over the
years technology has been responsible for creating amazingly useful resources which
put all the information we need at our fingertips. The development of technology has led
to so many mind-blowing discoveries, better facilities, and better luxuries, but at the
same has dramatically changed our daily lives. Various highly-developed gadgets,
connected to the Internet, have changed the way we communicate, use humor, study,
work, shop, play, and behave.
It’s not difficult to recognize just how much of the technology we use on a daily basis —
from computers, cell phones, laptops, tablets and TVs to refrigerators and convection
ovens that cook food evenly. Here are six ways technology impacts your daily life.
1: Improved Communication
The continuous advances in technology have led to the appearance of numerous new
methods of electronic communication, such as social networking websites, emails,
voicemails, and video conferences. These advanced communication tech tools have
helped us to eliminate time and distance as obstacles to effective communication. This
is beneficial not only to our personal relationships, but also to education and business.
Technology has improved cultural education by giving children the opportunity to
communicate with other children from different countries and learn about different
cultures.
Even though technology is beneficial to communication and allows people to stay in
touch, you need to find a balance between the cyber world and real world. These
technological advancements might be incredible and important in today’s society, but
you must be careful to not lose sight of the people who are physically around you. While
communicating via social media might be fun and more convenient, it is also harmful to
our social skills. Spending quality time with your friends and family to create memorable
experiences is especially important for happiness.
2: Improved Home Entertainment
Not that long ago, our entertainment experiences used to live in the moment they
happened, exist in our memories and find their way in old-fashioned photographs on
wall. Today, that has all changed due to the rapid growth of the Internet, mobile
connectivity, and social networks.
One of the biggest changes, for example, was the switch from videotapes to CDs/DVDs.
This enabled manufacturers to put more data onto the medium. This meant that there
were no risks of the tape coming out of the player and getting damaged that easily, and
due to the small size of the DVDs, it also meant that a lot more could be stored in the
same amount of space.
Another huge technological advance was the introduction of LCD TV. Compared to
today’s LCD TVs, the previous television screens were inefficient, with lower definition
and poor quality. Today we can not only enjoy improved home entertainment, but
different types of home entertainment too: from smart TVs to Xbox units.
3: Improved Housing and Lifestyle
Housing and lifestyle have also been impacted by the modern technology. The majority
of the items that you have in your home today are automated, which makes your life
much easier, organized and safer. Thanks in particular to the advanced technological
solutions such automated door locks, security cameras and lighting control, our homes
are now more secure than ever. Also, thanks to the Internet, we have an easy access to
all sorts of information, news, and you’re able to shop online any time of the day or night
from the comfort of your own home.
4: Changed Health Industry
There’s no doubt that technology is the driving force behind the huge improvements in
healthcare. The majority of the hospitals today have implemented modern technology in
hospitals and surgical rooms, which has significantly reduced the mistakes made by
doctors. The increased accessibility of treatment is also one of the most amazing ways
that technology has changed health care. Besides the technological advancements in
hospitals, there are also many health phone and desktop apps that allow you to easily
monitor your weight, heart rate, and other health properties at any time of the day.
Needless to say, the Internet is our main source of medical information.
A n increasing number of people are now using the Internet to diagnose themselves by
looking for advice from people on the Internet who have experienced the same
symptoms. There are also many suggested treatments and remedies on the web, as
well as alternative solutions. Technology has also enabled doctors to use text
messages, videos, and e-mails to consult colleagues from all over the world, which is
especially beneficial to patients and doctors that live in rural and under-developed
areas.
5: Convenience in Education
Technology has impacted every aspect of our lives today, and education is no
exception. Technology has changed education in so many ways. First, technology has
expanded the access to education and there are huge amounts of information (books,
images, videos, audio) that are available through the Internet and that will enable you to
empower yourself with knowledge. In addition, online courses are on the rise and most
of them are free.
Modern technology has made it simple for students to learn from any place in the world
through online education. Also, nowadays students use modern technology in
classrooms in order to learn better. For example, students can use iPads to share visual
lessons, presentations, and examples with their peers. This has made learning much
more convenient and more fun, but most importantly – more effective.
6: Convenience of Traveling
Modern transportation technology has made it easier for individuals to travel long
distances. Since transport is an important part of our lives, technology has been
regularly working on making it more efficient and quicker. The first steamship was built
in the 1770s, the first steam-powered train was built in 1798, and the modern car was
created in 1886, while the first powered, controlled flight is believed to have taken place
in 1903.
Today, we just cannot imagine life without well-developed means of transport like cars,
trains, buses, and airplanes which have become a basic need. Over the last decade,
the automobile industry is experiencing a technological revolution as the electrical
vehicles are taking the world by storm.
SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Use of IT in Medical Education
With the development in IT, there has been a significant change in medical education all
over the world. The changes is that majority of the medical students are computer
literate these days. New information on medical topics is readily accessible via the
Internet and handheld computers such as palmtops, personal digital assistants (PDA).
Information Technology can assist medical education in various ways such as in college
networks and internet. Computer-assisted learning (CAL), Virtual reality (VR), Human
patient simulators are some options. With the help of college networks and Internet, the
medical students as well as the teachers may stay in contact even when they are off
college.
Rapid communication can be established with the help of e-mails and course details,
handouts, and feedbacks can be circulated easily. Many medical schools these days
use online programs such as "Blackboard" or "student central" to underline and
coordinate their courses. Such programs allow speedy access to information and quick
turnaround of evaluation and messaging, and allow all tutors, assessors, and students
at any site to look at the curricular context of their own particular contribution. Similarly,
the Internet provides opportunities to gain up-to-date information on different aspects of
health and disease and to discuss with colleagues in different continents via net
conferencing. Free access to Medline, various medical journals, online textbooks and
the latest information on new development in medicine also encourages learning and
research.
CAL is considered as an enjoyable medium of learning and very suitable for
conceptually difficult topics. Interactive digital materials for study of histopathology,
anatomy and heart sounds are used widely. Development of anatomical three
dimensional atlases of various internal organs using computed tomography and
magnetic resonance imaging are very illustrative and help the students to understand
the subject matter clearly.
Another development is of "Advanced Life Support" (ACLS) simulators and Haptics "the
science of touch" simulators are used in medical education to develop various clinical
skills such as ECG interpretation, appropriate intervention such as ABC, drugs,
injections, defibrillation without working on a real patient. These days, highly
sophisticated simulators "virtual reality" with highly advanced medical simulation
technologies and medical databases are available in the advanced medical schools that
expose the medical students to the vast range of complex medical situations. It can
emulate various clinical procedures such as catheterization, laparoscopy, bronchoscopy
etc. With new technology, the students can virtually go inside each and every organ and
see how they actually look like from outside as well as from inside.
Information technology has been very helpful to the healthcare sector. One example of
a significant advancement that IT has provided to hospitals is the development of
electronic medical records (EMR). This technology can convert medical information into
a single database. Not only does this technology reduce paper costs, it allows
healthcare providers to access pertinent patient information such as medical history,
medications, insurance information, etc with just the click of a mouse.
EMRs hold great promise in the clinical arena. The ability to care for patients with a
record that is integrated with laboratory and pharmacy information, and provides point of
service information regarding preventive services, diagnosis, treatment, and follow up
represents a dramatic advance in patient care. Improving and measuring quality would
be instantly improved if all clinicians used EMRs. For example, it would be easy to
prompt clinicians that their patient with diabetes needs an eye examination or a
hemoglobin A1C level.
Drug prescribing patterns of individual clinicians could be carefully evaluated and
compared to established standards. In fact, computer based clinical support as part of
an EMR has been shown to improve physician performance and patient outcomes.
Reducing medical errors has become a priority all over the world. Specifically adverse
drug events are an important source of injuries in hospitalised patients. In response to
the need to improve patient safety, computerised physician order entry (CPOE) systems
have become increasingly more common. In general, CPOE systems force physicians
to write all orders online. These systems have the capacity to verify that written orders
are correct, that is, based on a patient profile, they can automatically check the dose
and contraindications of a specific drug. They have been shown to dramatically reduce
serious medication errors.
Computerized provider order entry (CPOE), formerly called Computer physician order
entry, can reduce total medication error rates by 80%, and adverse (serious with harm
to patient) errors by 55%. A 2004 survey by Leapfrog found that 16% of US clinics,
hospitals and medical practices are expected to be utilizing CPOE within 2 years.
Recent study says that CPOE adoption reduced drug errors and concluded that CPOE
could substantially reduce the annual number of those errors if widely implemented. In
addition to electronic prescribing, a standardized bar code system for dispensing drugs
could prevent a quarter of drug errors. Consumer information about the risks of the
drugs and improved drug packaging (clear labels, avoiding similar drug names and
dosage reminders) are other error-proofing measures.
There is no argument over the influence of IT in medicine and education. But there are
still many areas which need to be improved before we could utilise IT to its full extent.
Last but not the least, however advanced the technology gets, it can never replace the
interaction the doctors and students require with the patient and the clinical judgments
which make great doctors. So, in the pursuit of modern technologies, we should be
careful that the doctor patient relationships do not get overlooked.
IMPACT OF IT ERA TO CULTURE

DEFINITION OF CULTURE
Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people,
encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.
"Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language,
marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we
greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things," Cristina De
Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London, told Live Science.
Important information:
We are living in an era of advanced technology, where every part of our daily lives is
related to the science of craft in one way or another. There’s no doubt that over the
year’s technology has been responsible for creating amazingly useful resources which
put all the information we need at our fingertips. The development of technology has led
to so many mind-blowing discoveries, better facilities, and better luxuries, but at the
same has dramatically changed our daily lives.
Technology Has Changed Education
Technology has widely opened the bracket of those who can engage in learning, as well
as those who can teach those in need of knowledge. It also gives students the flexibility
of learning at the location they prefer and at the time they want. Today, anyone can go
to an online school and obtain universally-recognized certificates. Reading has also
been simplified with eBooks and PDF documents. The advancement in technology has
made it possible for teachers to impart knowledge to students from any location. In the
past, there had to be a physical contact for any class to hold.
Technology Is Breeding New Kinds of Habits and Addictions
With Information technology, we have adopted new habits, the use of social media and
the Internet at large is the greatest concern of most parents today. Many teenagers and
young adults are so addicted to their smartphones that being without a mobile device
can result in instant boredom. it becomes quite difficult for them to quit the app, turning
into an addiction.
Technology Has Changed How We Communicate
There are lots of devices today that have come about through other technological
advancements that are enormously important in daily life. Most people own PC
computers, tablets, and smartphones to communicate easily across different platforms.
In the past, you had to write a letter to communicate with someone. The letter could
even take days before it was delivered. All you have to do if you want to communicate
with someone in society today is to send them a message on social media or put a call
through.
Technology Has Changed How We Pay Bills and Transfer Money
Many banks are already making registration possible online and accessible to people.
Companies like PayPal have created a platform where people can send and receive
money from any location using the Internet. Paying bills has also been simplified thanks
to technology. You don’t have to carry cash with you when going shopping. With your
cell phone and a banking app, you can do all the necessary bill payments online.
Technology Has Changed How We Watch TV
Technology has changed how we watch television today. Today, you can pause live TV,
rewind it if you missed something, and control it how you wish to follow the live
experience. What is happening in the TV industry with the aid of technology is nothing
short of incredible. With your mobile devices, you can watch what you want, when you
want, and how you want. There is no limitation whatsoever in the digital space of
television. Even if you missed an episode of your favorite soap opera, YouTube is
always there as a back-up where you can catch up on any movies or scenes you
missed. Years back, a family could only watch one TV channel at a time.
Technology Has Changed How We Date
Now there are dating sites that help you quicken up the process. You register on a
website, find a match and you start from there. Why meet many people you don’t want
to when you can go straight to the perfect match?
Even if you had to use the style of collecting someone’s contact details, technology has
made it possible for you to search the person’s profile on the Internet to gain access to
the information you want to know about a particular person. Online dating platforms like
Tinder have millions of registered users and have received lots of good reviews from
every part of the planet.
Improved Housing and Lifestyle
Housing and lifestyle have also been impacted by the modern technology. The majority
of the items that you have in your home today are automated, which makes your life
much easier, organized and safer.
Changed Health Industry
The majority of the hospitals today have implemented modern technology in hospitals
and surgical rooms, which has significantly reduced the mistakes made by doctors. The
increased accessibility of treatment is also one of the most amazing ways that
technology has changed health care. Besides the technological advancements in
hospitals, there are also many health phone and desktop apps that allow you to easily
monitor your weight, heart rate, and other health properties at any time of the day
Convenience of Traveling
Modern transportation technology has made it easier for individuals to travel long
distances. Since transport is an important part of our lives, technology has been
regularly working on making it more efficient and quicker. Over the last decade, the
automobile industry is experiencing a technological revolution as the electrical vehicles
are taking the world by storm.
Lifestyle changes that happened after the use of technology
Technology has a positive and negative impact on our daily life. Today we live more
appearance filled the life. The craze and disadvantages of taking selfies in the risky
area are well known. We do online shopping and there are varieties and price
comparison tools.
Technologies have an internet of things that anyone can use in their daily life. We are
busier than productive.
We are losing our patience. Our behavior is changed in a second.
We changed our mind after seeing likes and comments. We stop doing the most
important work when we get new notification or message. That’s how we are now
affected by technology.
We are searching for friends on the internet. But don’t know about neighbors and their
problems. We are sharing thousands of motivational and life quotes on the internet. But
no one is taking a care of animals, plants, water, and nature.
Technology is influencing the youth
Technology is making children older. They are learning and watching the things those
were not possible to watch 25 years ago. This is how technology is affecting our youth
negatively. There are so many positives of technologies like career opportunities for the
youth. Anyone with some sort of skill can start an online business. They can become a
programmer, designer and able to provide services remotely.
Improved Home Entertainment
One of the biggest changes, for example, was the switch from videotapes to CDs/DVDs.
Another huge technological advance was the introduction of LCD TV. Compared to
today’s LCD TVs, the previous television screens were inefficient, with lower definition
and poor quality. Today we can not only enjoy improved home entertainment, but
different types of home entertainment too: from smart TVs to Xbox units.
Shopping
Is being trendy high on your list It saves not only time but money as well. There are
many shop owners who give special offers to their subscribers online. By just one click
the things you want to shop is door available and ready.
Religion
Religion has always depended on information technology. Vital to the longevity of a
religion is getting new followers, and in order for that to happen, the sacred texts, beliefs
and rituals need to be spread and passed down. Central to this process, historically
speaking, are books.
Today, we’re very comfortable with the concept of finding sacred texts in books.
MUSIC
Music has been an essential part of human culture as an art, source of entertainment,
and a way for those talented at the performing arts to make a living. The field of music
similar to the field of journalism is one that has been rapidly growing and progressing
with the introduction of quickly advancing technologies, and the internet. This has
allowed for artists to quickly spread word about their work and get their music out to a
global audience with ease due to websites such as Youtube, Spotify, Sound Cloud,
Band Camp and other such music streaming websites.
The Internet is not the enemy and it definitely has changed our lives for so many good
reasons. The world is more accessible than ever before, and communications are fast
and direct with everyone around the world. The Internet created new jobs, and kids now
learn from a very young age the importance of becoming a digitally savvy individual in
this modern connected world.
Technology, Human Relationships, and Human Interaction -Angela N. Bullock, Alex D.
Colvin
Technology and Human Relationships
"We shouldn't be trying to disrupt the things that make us uniquely human."
by Kristina Saffran, Cofounder and Director — Project HEAL
I’ve been thinking a lot about the limits of technology in solving social problems. I’ve
become increasingly immersed in the social entrepreneurship community, which has
introduced me to some fascinating people, inspiring leaders, and important ways to
think about non-profit sustainability, impact and scale. I also spent the last three years in
Silicon Valley. Both of these communities have been formative for me, but they can both
be myopic in their view that technology can solve all problems.
This is especially true in the mental health field. Mental health technology is a booming
new space; there are thousands of mental health apps in the ITunes and Android App
stores, and the number is growing everyday. And while there are benefits to this
technology (convenience, anonymity, access for more people at a lower cost), there are
also reasons for caution. There are no standards for evaluating the effectiveness of
these apps, and many programs oversell their benefits. In fact, maintaining client
engagement with many of these apps has been a challenge, with usage dwindling
rapidly over the first few months. But unbridled techno-optimists tend to ignore these
drawbacks, some now celebrating the idea that robots can replace humans as
therapists.
In the past few months, I’ve been a finalist in two social entrepreneurship pitch
competitions. I lost both of them, and like any good social entrepreneur, I contacted all
the judges for feedback. What could I do better next time – delivery, framing of the
problem, was something unclear? Their response was interesting. “No, your pitch was
great. But there wasn’t enough technology.”
…That’s because we’re not a tech company. And we shouldn’t be! We work to help
people with eating disorders, a mental health issue with complex psychological,
neurobiological, cultural and genetic underpinnings; no app will ever be “the solution.”
Technology can be an important tool to help us amplify the human relationships at the
core of our work. For a new peer support program, we’re utilizing the leading app in the
space to connect our beneficiaries, have developed a comprehensive online training
program for our peer mentors that can we accessed anywhere in the world, and are
offering online mentorship (meetings via skype) in addition to in person meetings.
But at the end of the day, the human relationships are still central. Our peer mentors
build relationships with those in the mental anguish of an eating disorder and act as role
models, sharing their own stories of how they emerged from the darkness of an eating
disorder, and helping their mentees build a life outside of their eating disorder worth
living. It’s all about the relationship.
There is a broader message here too. In a world obsessed with technology, we don’t
often stop to think about how tech might detract from our human relationships,
contributing to less intimacy and vulnerability. While adolescents and teens of past
generations used to hang out at one another’s houses after school, today they are much
more likely to go home alone and “plug in” to their social worlds. Family cars rides used
to be a place for reflection and conversation, but have now become a time to catch up
on emails and respond to texts. Always feeling pressed for time, we choose to shoot a
text to our friend instead of calling to check in. But a “how are you” via text is very
different from a “how are you” over the phone. We can filter and present a perfectly
curated version of ourselves, but what are we losing?
Decades of social science research have shown that having strong social connections
is fundamental to human happiness. And weaker social interactions with a large number
of changing people leads to less happiness and fulfillment. In our quest to scale mental
health solutions rapidly, let’s not forget what really matters. There are problems that still
require good old fashioned elbow grease, and their solutions often help bolster society
and reinforce our humanity. We shouldn't be trying to disrupt the things that make us
uniquely human.