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Introduction a) The world possesses the ability to improve or destroy itself in a moments notice. b) Important because it has impacted many aspects of our lives; improving the way we live and our society today. Our standard of living has increased, we complete tasks with ease. Whether youre resting or working- surrounded by technology. c) I believe modern technology has improved our lives, yet it has its downsides. d) Once used in moderation, technology is fantastic. e) Without evil, there wouldnt be any good. f) The more technology advances, the more threats are produced. g) As is life, for we cant stifle anyones creative process, good or bad. So I believe modern technology has its equal amount of pros and cons. h) First we need to examine the history of the issue. Background information a) History of technology according to www.tcf.ua.edu Pre-Mechanical Age (3000 BC- 1450 BC) - writing, alphabet, paper and pens, first numbering system. The Mechanical Age (1450- 1840) - first mechanical computing machines, mathematical engines, punch cards. The Electromechanical Age (1840- 1940) - discovery of ways to harness electricity, telegraph, telephone, radio, morse code, voltaic battery. The Electronic Age (1940- Present) - vacuum tubes, first electronic computer, operating systems, core processors, calculators. b) Technology-use of tools gadgets and resources that help us control and adapt to our environment. c) Technology has become important because it has greatly contributed to our everyday lives. No matter what, in our modern society we are constantly surrounded by technology. It has allowed us to complete harder tasks with ease and have developed due to new innovations and inventions. d) Technology has developed rapidly these past years, not to mention hundreds of years ago. Ex: Abacus>early voting booths>cellular phones>robots e) Technology is controversial because it has various pros and cons. f) There is unparalleled potential to improve or exploit underprivileged individuals with the use of technology. Pros

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a) Without technology, we wouldve been complacent farmers and hunters and even today. b) The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn't think they could learn before, and so in a sense it is all about potential. c) Gives opportunities for future careers Many people want to participate in careers that involve technology Many jobs today involve technology, providing technology will help people prosper and become more familiar with tech. Building, software, mechanics, etc. Technology provides children with chances for almost any career they wish to pursue. d) Enhances education and communication Instant messaging- communication with people almost everywhere. People have access to more information on the internet opposed to just a textbook (computer as more sources) People/ family members not close to one another can communicate freely with todays technology like skype or even texting. Technology has made it easier overall to our society and advancements in communication and education. e) Medical advances Cures for diseases (like cancer) are being researched thanks to technology today. Unlike years in the past, we are now able to live past 40 because we have simple, yet crucial, medical advances such as vaccines. Able to perform complex surgical operations Technology has contributed to helping human life because of its medical advances. Cons f) As much as we love technology, I can guarantee you dont know how much it can hurt us. g) The production of too many useful things results in too many useless people. h) Used for evil- war and environmental destruction War- nuclear bombs, more advanced destructive machinery, lets off radiation- affects many people We are using up more of the Earths resources (such as fossil fuels) and we arent giving back. Sooner or later we will run out of resources and we have to use other things Humans have the ability to improve or destroy the earth in a moments notice Scary to think it all depends on the daily actions and how we use our modern technology.

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We depend on modern tools like calculators which stifle our creativity process. Our population has become more lazy; technology has begun to complete the tasks we are too lazy to do The more we stick to technology, the bigger price our creativity process pays. We get used to tech. we dont try to advance ourselves. Ex: calculators. People use calculators so much that when they try to do the math on paper, they forget how. Too much technology has a bad effect on our creativity process. j) Widening the gap between economic classes Even though we have technology, other places dont. Makes people feel inferior in comparison to others. It creates a major difference between poverty and the upper/middle class. Technology has led to widening gap of social classes, and leads to people feeling inferior (ones who dont have technology, or as much) There is unparalleled potential to improve or exploit underprivileged individuals with the use of technology. Conclusion k) Some say that technology does good for their society or even the world as a whole, some think otherwise. l) I believe that technology is great, when used in moderation. Although, since people fail to understand that too much of anything is destructive, I must say that the cons of modern day technology outweigh the pros. m) Many can agree that modern tech has both pros and cons. It can help us and hurt us at the same time. n) The world possesses the ability to improve or destroy itself in a moments notice. o) Regardless of pros and cons, people continue to adapt as technology continues to advance.

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