Course Code and Title: GE 106 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, and SOCIETY

Week 10-11

Topic
WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS
Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. Discover the different technological advancements in society;
2. Trace the development of some technological advancements and
their impacts on society; and
3. Discuss the effects of the interplay between technology and
humanity through different dilemmas.
Pre- Assessment
DIRECTIONS: Identify the word being described by the following statements. Write your answer
on the space provided before the number.
Electric telescope 1. Had 18 lines of resolution that can send photos through wires in the 1800s.
Martin Cooper 2. He was the senior engineer of Motorola who made the world’s first mobile
phone call.
IFR 3. And UNECE 4. These are the two governing bodies with the task of formulating work
definitions for service robots.
Charles Babbage 5. He is an English Mathematician Professor in the 19th century who designed
the analytical engine as the basic framework.

Introduction

There is nothing permanent except change. In the previous topics of this course, you are
introduced to scientific methods and the different circumstances in which human
populations are seeking a good life. The search for a comfortable life is synchronized
with the progressing technology.
We must keep up with the past pacing changes but to what extent? It is very important to
note that when misused, inventions may lead to produce bad to harmful effects. Various
ethical standards should also be taken into consideration with the use of modern
discoveries.
In this lesson, several technological devices will be introduced appropriately, their roles in
society, and their effects, particularly on the impacts on the human population's lives.

Content

Television Sets, Mobile Phones, Computers and Humanity

Philippine households are commonly using technological devices.
Several inventions are easily found in every home. Television sets,
computers, cellphones, and many others are the most popular technology
at home.
 Television was the ultimate medium of advertisement
placements, according to Manila Times in 2014. Televisions play
a great role in the lives of the people. Paul Gottlieb Nipknow, a
German student in the late 1800's, was successful when he
attempted to send photos through wires with the help of a rotating
metal disk. His invention was then known as the "electric
telescope," which had 18 lines of resolution. In 1907, Alan
Archibald Campbell- Swinton, an English scientist, and Boris
Rosing, a Russian scientist, created a new system by using a
cathode ray tube in addition to the mechanical scanner system.
The experiments conducted previously became the inspirations of
other scientists as well as of big companies to arrive at achieving
the modern television of today.
 Mobile phones are used for different purposes by Filipinos other
than for communication. Having a mobile phone is already a
necessity. It was also claimed that mobile phones are considered
a must-have among young Filipinos. More than half of the Filipino
population own at least one mobile phone regardless of type or
brand. In fact, in 2010, Synovate- a global agency, conducted a
survey and declared that 67% percent of the Philippines' product
ownership.
Mobile phones have a very interesting background story. On
 April 3, 1973, as senior engineer of Motorola, Martin Cooper
made the world's first mobile phone call. The phone used by
Cooper weighed 1.1 kilograms and measured 228.6 x 127 x 44.4
mm. Only a limit of 30- minute talk time is allowed in this type of
mobile phone.
 Computers and laptops have also been a part of many Filipino
families. In comparison with the number of cellphones sold
per year, the number of laptops or computers is not that high.
This is because of the relatively high cost of laptops or
desktops as compared to cellphones. Despite this, some
Filipino families own more than one computer at home. But
accordingly, all households can't have at least one computer
or laptop. Instead, businesses, schools, and offices are the
primary source of profits by manufacturers.
Historically speaking development of computers can be traced
back to so many trials and errors. Charles Babbage, an
English Mathematician professor in the 19 th century, designed
the analytical engine, which was used as the basic framework
of computers even until the present time. The first design of a
computer was able to occupy the whole floors of buildings. It
was just a dream for people to think that computers could be
brought anywhere. It was believed that the transition from a
personal computer to a laptop was only a matter of design, an
improvement, and a little deviation in April 1981. It was called
the Osborne 1(Orfano 2011). From that moment on, laptops'
evolution continued until the present time where various
designs and models are already available.
Roles Played by These Technological Advancements
Different roles and functions are played by television sets,
mobile phones, and computers or laptops, although some of their
functions may be the same in some manner. The Filipino
 communities are dependent on these technologies to have a very
strong inclination towards these devices in entertainment,
communication, business, and many others.
For instance, information and entertainment are basically
through television as a media platform. Television remains to be the
most used media by different advertising companies not only in the
Philippines but as well as in the global dominion. Aside from
advertisement, television functions to relieve stress or relax, air out
propaganda and information dissemination to the public, and form a
bond between family members and other similar acquaintances.
On the other hand, mobile phones also have their roles in the
lives of people. Cellphones are primarily used for communication
through texting and calling. Some applications already allow the
users to send not just texts but also recorded videos and photos. It is
also possible to send live videos. Videoconferencing can also be
done, with more people accommodated at the same time using
mobile phones. Different features are also found in mobile phones
like calendar, calculator, radio, television, and photo editor.
Robotics and Humanity
Robots are now widely used in so many forms of industries.
Robots are by- products of an array of scientific skills and
technological advancements brought about by innovative minds. The
International Federation of Robotics IFR) and United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) are the governing
bodies with the task of formulating work definitions for service robots.
A preliminary extract of the definition is (IFR 2012):
a. A robot is an actuated mechanism programmable in two or
more axes with a degree of autonomy, moving within its
environment to perform intended tasks. Autonomy in this
context means to perform intended tasks based on the
current state and sensing human intervention.
 b. A service robot is a robot that performs useful tasks for
humans or equipment, excluding industrial automation
applications.
c. A personal robot or a service robot for personal use is a
service robot used for non-commercial task, usually by
laypersons. Examples are domestic servant robots,
automated wheelchairs, personal mobility assist robots,
and pet exercising robots.
Roles Played by Robots
Just like any other human, robots should perform well and
good. With this, rules and characteristics that define a good robot is
set. Isaac Asimov, back in the 1940s, formulated laws when he was
thinking about the consequences of robots. He formulated the
following laws:
 Law One:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through
inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
 Law Two:
A robot must obey the orders given by human beings
except when such orders would conflict with the first law.
 Law Three
A robot must protect its existence as long such protection
does not conflict with the first and the second law.
Ethical Dilemma/s Faced by Robotics
There are so many concerns that can be encountered in robotics:
1. Safety
Who should be blamed when someone's safety
is compromised? Should it be the manufacturer, the
inventor, or the agent that is using the robot? Who will
be held accountable for this? Those are the pressing
 questions that might be raised in the advent of using
robots.
2. Robots Developing Emotional Component
It is a little absurd, but with the advancement of
technology, it is no longer impossible for robots to
develop emotions. (Evans, 2007).

SUMMARY
 Charles Babbage, an English Mathematician professor in the 19 th century,
designed the analytical engine that was used as the basic framework of computers
even until the present time.
 Paul Gottlieb Nipknow, a German student in the late 1800s, was successful when
he attempted to send photos through wires with the help of a rotating metal disk;
the rotating disk is now known as "electric scope."
 On April 3, 1973, as senior engineer of Motorola, Martin Cooper made the world's
first mobile phone call.
 There are two agencies that are tasked to formulate work definitions for service
robots.
 Robotics can encounter 2 concerns, which are relative to safety and robots developing
emotional components.
 Isaac Asimov, back in the 1940s formulated laws, when he was thinking about the
consequences of robotics like:
1. Law One:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through
inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. Law Two:
A robot must obey the orders given by human beings
except when such orders would conflict with the first law.
3. Law Three
A robot must protect its existence as long such
protection does not conflict with the first and the second law.
Assessment/Activities

Activity 1
Direction: Answer the following questions:
1. Name different technologies/ devices that you have
recently used. Are they necessary? Why or why not?

2. Should there be ethics in technology? If you are to list

some ethical standards that technology should have, what
would be on your list? Justify your answer.

Reinforcement
Watch any portion of the cartoon series about Astro Boy.
Make a two paragraph write-up about robots being more human than
people who are humans.

References

Prieto, Nelia G., Vega, Violeta A., Felipe, Elizabeth F., Menesis, Julius L., (2019) “
Science, Technology and Sociey, Lorimar Publishing, Cubao, Quezon City
Philippines

Figure 1. Retrieved August 20, 2018

https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book%3A
_Introductory_Biology_(CK12)/01%3A_Introduction_to_Biology/1.01%3A_Scientific_I
nvestigation

Prieto, Nelia G., Vega, Violeta A., Felipe, Elizabeth F., Menesis, Julius L., (2019) “
Science, Technology and Sociey, Lorimar Publishing, Cubao, Quezon City Philippines