by Thomas Walters

Created on: July 21, 2009

Technology is everywhere - in our banks, in our schools, in our homes, and in our cars. Computers are the organizers of our lives controlling huge operations such as the co-ordination of air-traffic control, right down to the menial tasks such as counting how many coins you have in your coin-counting machine. In today's modern society it is easy to believe and become encompassed by the idea that technology is controlling society, however there is a major difference between controlling and society being dependent upon.

The abundance of technology means that it is hard to walk down the street without seeing some; however making the assumption that technology is the very foundation of society is incorrect. Technology is merely a catalyst for those who work to keep society stable, it allows them to work more efficiently and productively. What it does mean is that if we were to take technology out of the equation society would struggle - but only for a few years. It is a fact that new technologies have become dependent on technology; however it is important to remember that it is the humans that are controlling the technology. There is no doubt that countless hours have been saved by advances in technology and this can only be a good thing - can't it?

Many have theorized about the future of the human race - that the self-betterment and advancement of technology will only lead to an apocalyptic, robotically controlled civilization where mankind has to fight the very machine designed to help it in every way. So is this the way we are headed? Is society's dependence on technology the beginning of the infiltration of the robotic war? No. Artificial intelligence is one thing, sentience is another. At no point will technology become so advanced that it will be advising us humans on how to run society. Algorithms will become more powerful and elaborate but the will only ever be as good as the people that make them, and for that reason such a future cannot really exist.

So back to the main question - has society become controlled by technology? My answer - no. Humans buy technology because they like it, not because they want it to show them the way or advise them on personal issues. Society is merely an institution, and institution made great by the advancement of technology, to say that technology has become controlling sounds like the speculation of someone who fails to see the bigger picture. After all humanity survived for thousands of years without technology, and let's be honest - it wouldn't be that hard to remove all the technology - would it?

Learn more about this author, Thomas Walters.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.