David Flynn

Professor Thomas
UWRT 1103-035
11/25/15
I can already tell this is going to be a shitty first draft. Once again I was faced with the
opposition of writers block, so when I had an Idea I quickly jotted it down resulting in a few too
many sloppy sentences. I felt like this paper was more rushed as well; I was eager to get the
paper out of the way and enjoy break and some turkey instead of taking my sweet time. However,
on the upside of that I think my paper is a good shell to use to improve my second draft. I hope to
fix my grammatical errors along with improving my arguments and my introduction along with
my conclusion that could use some touch ups.

Technology: Detrimental or Beneficial?

Ah technology. Some love it, some hate it. Whether you like it or not, technology is
taking the world by storm. Some are even subconsciously using it and not even being aware of it,
whether it be using your phone, or paying with your credit card. Were at the age where humans
are on the cusp of producing cars that drive themselves, and not to mention drones that will
personally deliver a multitude of items to your doorstep ranging from a new videogame to
groceries for the week within minutes of ordering them. With this new technology it is constantly
changing our lives and even the way individuals interact with each other. In todays age, it isnt
considered eccentric for someone to use their computers for hours on end; Some people even
prefer to converse with others virtually. Were constantly upgrading and inventing new gadgets,

but has anyone stopped to take a look and observe how its affecting our lives? Is too much
technology a bad thing? Many individuals see the benefits of technology, but many dont
recognize the risks it poses and how it can negatively affect ones life. Like many say, With
great power comes great responsibility.
Ever since I was a child, I remember emerging into a generation blooming with
technology all around me. Growing up over the years I remember daily arduous tasks becoming
more convenient and even considered mundane. Throughout the years Ive heavily relied on
technology, even writing a blog about it throughout high school. Ive always thought that some
technology was too good to be true; there has to be a drawback to these items. Maybe life would
be much simpler if I disconnected and did things, the old fashion way just like my parents and
past generations. Although technology may seem like a small part of life to one, it can affect
aspects of life that include an individuals health, occupations, and education.
As far as health goes, there has been a giant leap in technological advances, improving
lives and creating a fast and cost efficient patient care. As Referral MD writer Brian Hoenigman
puts it, The healthcare industry has long been overburdened by a slow moving innovation due to
the complexity of the medical ecosystem, but due to this technology the industry has finally seen
some far reaching changes1. Because of fragmentation and a multifaceted health care system, it
is difficult to pass new regulations and make treatment affordable. But because of technology
sweeping the nation the healthcare industry is becoming more agile and cost effective. From
electronic aspirin to new artificial hearts, new technology is not only saving and improving lives
but healthcare practitioners can now offer cheaper, reliable, and efficient patient care. Some
groundbreaking innovations include how microchips are modeling clinical trials and are
1 Hoenigman, Brian. "7 Biggest Innovations in Health Care Technology in 2014
[INFOGRAPHIC]." Physician Referral Management Software ReferralMD. N.p., 17 Nov. 2013.
Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

replacing animal testing (saving a profusion of animals lives), wearable tech like google glass
which can assist doctors during surgery, ontogenetics and using light to identify neurons (which
can help detect flaws like Parkinsons or schizophrenia), hybrid operating rooms, digestible
sensors that monitors bodily systems (along with apps to track it), and cloud based provider
relationship software. The biggest breakthrough however is the use of 3D printing in healthcare.
With these printers doctors can print skin, blood vessels, heart tissue, cartilage, bone, and
replacement organs, patch a broken heart, and even study cancer cells2. Too add on Dr. Rafael
Grossman, the first doctor to ever wear google glass during a surgery, has experienced positive
results from the use of this new technology. Grossman had to place a feeding tube inside his
patient and with the google glass he could stream an endoscopic (internal) view of the patients
abdomen, helping Grossman accurately place the tube. The entire procedure was unremarkable
and Google Glass was unobtrusive and second nature. The role of Glass as a surgical and
teaching tool is tremendous. And this is only the beginning., Grossman stated3. As Grossman
said this is only the beginning; google glass is allowing doctors and medical professionals to
provide clinical care from different offices and hospitals using virtual face to face
communication, so the patient not only receives urgent care, but there will always be a competent
doctor at the scene. This is crucial because many people dont survive and receive the correct
treatment during an emergency, especially when 30% of the U.S population doesnt live near a
trauma center. Too add on the majority of these emergencies include Traumatic injuries, which
remain a leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 150,000 lives lost per year4. With

2 Ibid.
3 Nosta, John. "Inside The Operating Room With Google Glass." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 21
June 2013. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.
4 Garvin, Erica. "Is Google Glass The Future of Teletrauma? -." Is Google Glass The Future of
Teletrauma? HIT, 10 Nov. 2013. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.

these new devices implemented it can lead to cheaper methods in health care and save millions
of lives.
On the other side of the spectrum, an abundance of health problems is emerging from
excess use of technology. Ironically, being glued to a screen can lead to a decrease in activity and
lead to an increase in weight gain, resulting in more health problems including diabetes, coronary
heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke. If thats not menacing enough,
according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) within the first fifteen minutes of waking
up, 79% of smartphones users look at their phones, and about a third start and end their day
looking at their phone5. Its scary that people would rather check their phone before doing their
daily morning tasks, or even looking outside; This is a great example showing how attached
society is to their devices. Some detrimental effects of technology abuse include neck pain
from excessive phone viewing, nearsightedness, sleep deprivation, deafness, addiction, and
rewiring of the brain. Too add on these symptoms are occurring at an increased rate, especially
for millennials (people born between 1980 and 2000) and future generations, which could
eventually combat the benefits of technology. According to a study last year by Zogby Analytics,
almost 90 percent of millennials say their phones never leave their side. Other research also
found they are twice as likely to use social media in the bathroom, compared to the overall
average, showing how engrossed individuals in todays age truly are6. Many people dont even
know that constant tilting can result in putting pressure on ones cervical spine, an increase from
10 pounds to 60 pounds; Thats like dangling an 8-year-old from your forehead7. Almost half of
millenials experience neck and back pain because of this. Besides the difficulty focusing which
5 Radcliffe, Shawn. "Is Technology Causing a Lifetime of Pain for Millennials?" Healthlines
RSS News. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.

affects 68% of millenials due to excess screen use, writer Shawn Radcliffe for HealthlineNews
states that light from screens at night affects an individuals melatonin intake saying, Normally,
the level of the hormone melatonin rises in mid to late evening. This signals the body that its
time to sleep. Blue light interferes with the release of melatonin, causing your body to lose that
sleep signal8. Although his novel was written in 1949, author George Orwells portrayal of the
future was not far from his interpretation. Orwells goal of 1984 was not only show the glimpse
of what would happen if the government controlled individuals, but also the power of technology
in the years to come and how it affected humans and took away from their personalities, making
them lifeless and bound to certain viewpoints. Orwell wrote, It was terribly dangerous to let
your thoughts wander when you were in any public place or within range of a telescreen9.
Although it may not be as drastic as Orwell himself portrayed it, technology has made it into
everyones household and to some has even controlled their lives, be it binge watching television
for hours on end being molded and shaped by characters on the screen, or killing opponents
online in the videogame for entertainment. It is almost appalling to see many people glued to
their devices texting believing they are becoming closer with others online by liking a post, but
in reality socialization and face to face interaction is becoming a rarity.

Believe it or not, technology is also making its way into the job industry at an exponential
rate. Geoff Colvin, author of Humans are Underrated believes that technology is leading to
another economic revolution and although countless jobs were eliminated in the past, there will
be newer and better ones which will lead to a flourishing economy and an increase in quality of

8 Ibid.
9 Orwell, George. London: Secker & Warburg, 1949. Print.

life10. Colvin believes that assembly lines will diminish and conferences will be replaced with
more efficient video chats, and human interaction will be valued tremendously, something a
machine cant emulate. Although I agree that human interaction will be regarded highly, at the
technological pace society is going at, an abundance of jobs will be replaced in a matter of a
decade. Nicole Torres, a writer for Harvard Business, writes about how social skills (soft skills
and emotional intelligence) are becoming highly more important because of technology.
Ironically, technology is an inhibitor of social skills, making face to face conversations rarer and
even difficult for many because many people opt to text their friends and family instead of direct
contact. Because machines cant emulate human interaction (well at least at the moment), high
social-skill jobs have become more important since 1980 while low social skill jobs have been
on the decline11. David Deming, an associate professor at the Harvard Graduate School of
Education, notes that an estimated 47% of U.S. jobs were at risk of being computerized over
the next two decades12. Demig states, So why are social skills so prized in todays labor market?
One reason, is because computers are still bad at simulating social interaction. And something
thats become more important in the modern workplace is being able to play off a team
members strengths and adapt to changing circumstances13. Surprisingly high math skill jobs
have shrunk throughout the years as well. Data shows that social skill tasks grew by 24% from
the years 1980-2012. Too add on Torres writes about the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of
Youth, tacking respondents ranging from teens to individuals in their 50s, measuring attributes
like test scores, sport/club participation, and adult employment and income. The survey showed
10 McFarland, Matt. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Digital Revolution's Destructive
Impact on Jobs." Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2015.
11 "Research: Technology Is Only Making Social Skills More Important." Harvard Business
Review. N.p., 26 Aug. 2015. Web. 07 Nov. 2015.
12 Ibid.
13 Ibid.

that people with higher social skills earned more money, even after controlling variables like
their education, cognitive skills, job type, and much more14. Too add on to the increased value of
social skills, planning out careers and obtaining a steady occupation will become much more
difficult. Matt McFarland, writer for The Washington Post states, Yes, weve been through
revolutions before, but never one this fast. Computing power doubles every two years. This
makes it harder for us to plan out our careers, and identify the skills that cant be automated.
Because these changes are happening so fast, the number of workers whose skills suddenly
become worthless will be larger than in past transitions15. Sadly, many businesses and
companies that dont follow the digital revolution will be replaced with newer ones that will at
an accelerated pace, which is abysmal when it comes down to job security. McFarland also
leaves the reader with a chilling quote saying, When you start talking about 30 percent of the
U.S. population being on the edge of losing their jobs, its not going to be a pleasant life and
youre going to get this enormous disparity between the haves and the have nots 16. Its almost
uncanny that popular jobs like assembly lines and truck drivers will soon be replaced by a much
more efficient machine.
As many are realizing, technology and screen time are being implemented in todays
school systems. According to a study by IT Trade Association CompTIA just released this
month, around 75 percent of educators think that technology has a positive impact in the
education process17. However, individuals should be aware of the risks electronics poses at
school. Pamela DeLoatch, a writer for Edudemic, a news website focused on connecting
14 Ibid.
15 "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Digital Revolution's Destructive Impact on Jobs."
Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2015.
16 Ibid.
17 Cox, Janelle. "Benefits of Technology in the Classroom." TeachHUB. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov.
2015.

education and technology, covers how technology can change how children think. DeLoatch
wrote, An article in Psychology Today says that the use of technology can alter the actual
wiring of the brain. More than a third of children under the age of two use mobile media. That
number only increases as children age, with 95% of teens 12-17 spending time online18. Not
only is this shocking, but electronics like videogames and television condition the brain to pay
attention to multiple stimuli, which can lead to decreased memory and distraction. Too add on
technology can inhibit and stunt imagination because they may not have enough opportunities to
use their imagination or read or think critically. However, DeLoatch adulates the aspects on how
incorporating technology while teaching can lead to better learning by adding diversity to
lessons, increasing student interaction, and to bringing new perspectives and knowledge to the
class.
Overall, I believe technology is great in society; however, like too much of anything an
excess of screen time and abusing technology can lead to detrimental effects in the long run. Too
add on individuals should also recognize how technology affects them and identify the negative
ramifications it can cause if abused. Like anything else, a well maintained balance is key. Maybe
its time to switch it up and go old school and drop the phone and pick up a book, newspaper,
or magazine.

18 DeLoatch, Pamela. "The Four Negative Sides of Technology." The Four Negative Sides of
Technology. N.p., 2 May 2015. Web. 02 Nov. 2015

Bibliogrpahy

Cox, Janelle. "Benefits of Technology in the Classroom." TeachHUB. N.p., n.d. Web. 30
Nov. 2015. <http://www.teachhub.com/benefits-technology-classroom>.

DeLoatch, Pamela. "The Four Negative Sides of Technology." The Four Negative Sides
of Technology. N.p., 2 May 2015. Web. 02 Nov. 2015. <http://www.edudemic.com/the-4-

negative-side-effects-of-technology/>.

Dickey, Megan Rose. "15 Ways Technology Is Reinventing Society." Business Insider.
Business Insider, Inc, 28 Apr. 2013. Web. 01 Nov. 2015.
< http://www.businessinsider.com/15-ways-tech-is-reinventing-society-2013-4?op=1>

Garvin, Erica. "Is Google Glass The Future of Teletrauma? -." Is Google Glass The
Future of Teletrauma? HIT, 10 Nov. 2013. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
<http://hitconsultant.net/2013/11/11/is-google-glass-the-future-of-teletrauma/>.

Hoenigman, Brian. "7 Biggest Innovations in Health Care Technology in 2014

[INFOGRAPHIC]." Physician Referral Management Software ReferralMD. N.p., 17 Nov. 2013.
Web. 09 Nov. 2015. <https://getreferralmd.com/2013/11/health-care-technology-innovations2013-infographic/#.VkC3a7Q-CqA>.

McFarland, Matt. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Digital Revolution's
Destructive Impact on Jobs." Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2015.
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2015/07/29/the-good-the-bad-and-theugly-of-the-digital-revolutions-destructive-impact-on-jobs/>.

Nosta, John. "Inside The Operating Room With Google Glass." Forbes. Forbes
Magazine, 21 June 2013. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnnosta/2013/06/21/google-glass-in-the-operating-room/>.

Radcliffe, Shawn. "Is Technology Causing a Lifetime of Pain for Millennials?"

Healthlines RSS News. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2015. <http://www.healthline.com/healthnews/is-technology-causing-a-lifetime-of-pain-for-millennials-050415#1>.

Orwell, George. London: Secker & Warburg, 1949. Print.

Torres, Nicole. "Research: Technology Is Only Making Social Skills More Important."
Harvard Business Review. N.p., 26 Aug. 2015. Web. 07 Nov. 2015.
<https://hbr.org/2015/08/research-technology-is-only-making-social-skills-more-important>.