Post 4 (Edited Post September 18, 2014)

The question I would like to focus on or address throughout this post is indirectly taken from Chapter 5. The question is as follows, “Is technology developing at a pace that is too fast? Should we slow it down? In what cases (criteria)?”

            My simple answer to the first part of the question would be “yes”. In the recent past, there have been countless inventions and new technologies that have been introduced to the public. For example, in 2007, we had the unveiling of the iPhone and since then we have had a new model almost every year. Besides that, Apple also releases “s” and “c” models of their popular phones, which pushes for rapid development. Companies that create and sell “newer” technologies contribute to the intense pace that it is at now.

            An example of customer frustration towards the pace of current technology related to the case mentioned above about the iPhone. I know that most of my friends own a smartphone, more specifically an iPhone, and feel that each upgrade from generation to generation of smartphones is so small that sometimes they do not want to purchase the newest iPhone. However, society often pressures us into doing things against our will. But, companies like Apple are to blame as well. When a new iPhone is released, often the previous generation will stop receiving software updates, and many times users have reported compatibility issues with iTunes and other apps that they once were able to use, but now cannot because of the newer generation.

            I believe technology needs to slow down. Besides the inconvenience of transferring data to new devices, the expensive of keeping up with the latest gadgets is too great for most around the world. Financially speaking, buying a new laptop every year is simply too expensive and most of the time, there are slight improvements in processing power or display quality. Also, I have found myself frustrated with newer technology sometimes, especially when the product begins asking if you want to sign up for this promotion, or this service, etc. Therefore, newer technologies are sometimes unnecessary and even a little counterproductive.

            Does everything I mentioned above imply that I do not want technology to progress at all? And that everything should come to a standstill? No, because regardless of what one may think of the newest phones, developments in alternative fuels and technologies should continue at the current rate or even increase. Likewise, health care technologies should continue to improve. There are many good examples to argue that the pace of technology should continue as it is now, but it should be limited in some areas.