The above mentioned statement asks
a serious question: Does the use of computers and other technologically
advanced gadgets hamper our thinking power and deteriorate the problem solving
skills that we possess? I am not exactly in accord with this statement as there
are myriad fields in our everyday life where we do not utilize or come across
technology but still rely completely on our intellect.
Let me first stress upon the fact
that in a way technology has mastered our everyday life and habits. Even if we
are in a situation where we ought to calculate something or do some math, in
the unavailability of a calculator, we usually tend up unlocking our phones and
getting the desired number. There is no thought given to think or to calculate
mentally. This is like the most trivial scenario where we take the assistance
of technology.
Moreover, what I think is that
advancements in technology do not affect everyone equally. It depends on how
each one of us is dependent on it. For example, a computer programmer or a web
designer, someone who is into the IT sector doing technical stuff, cannot be
adversely affected by the technology growth. He/she is bound to think or
analyze the situation at hand to arrive at an effective, efficient and
acceptable solution. Here, he/she has to think and then implement the design
that has been accepted by the client. So, the “thinking” does not cease.
Rather, it undergoes a continuous development process. Another example of
continuous thinking involves people in the advertising, publicity and marketing
fields. They acquire the inputs to their decision process via computers or
other gadgets but still have to think day and night in order to devise a strategy
which is one step ahead than their competitors'. They may take the assistance
of computers, but the way to execute the plan comes from within the employee.
There are many such examples to support this stance of mine which impacts
professional fields of consultants, counselors etc.
One of the most powerful and
significantly noticeable impacts of technology is in the field of medical
sciences. It is through this very means that epidemics like smallpox and plague
were completely wiped off from the face of this planet. There are various
fields in which research is being carried out with massive involvement of
technology. Analyzing the tremendous amount of data residing in the entities of
nature is a daunting task which can be accomplished with ease by the use of
technology. However, this influence of technology is also accompanied by the
intellect of great doctors and scientists, without whom technology alone would
not have done anything worth appreciating.
The life of a commuter has been
made simpler by the introduction of the various modes and means of
transportation. The proliferation of automobiles has facilitated man to move
around and go from one place to the other. Making the use of vehicles has not
made man dumber but rather it is saving him some time or taking him to a place
where his intellect can be utilized for some grand and manually unmanageable
task.
Internet. Almost everyone uses
the Internet. It has not made man to think less but has given him an easy
access to a huge amount of knowledge which he can utilize to educate him and
grow as an individual. If man does not use this swarm of information for his
benefits, then he is the one at a loss and fault. Technology cannot just teach
you, you have to be willing to learn what technology has to teach.
After the boons of technology,
shifting the focus to the cases where technology can be considered as a bane to
the thinking or problem solving skills of an individual, there are various
categories of professions that are impacted by this so-called technological
boom. But in this case too, the impact is not in its entirety. It's just a
partial impact as some thinking ought to be done. You cannot just place some
pieces of metal and expect a finished and flawless car at the other end of the
assembly line. Some intellect does go in the making of the car. Technology is
used only to boost the speed and accuracy. Similarly, while operating a machine
you cannot start a machine and expect it to do your work. You need to provide
the right inputs to the black-box so as to get the final and desired output(s).
No doubt technology makes life
simpler. In today's fast paced world, time is considered equivalent to money.
According to the previous statement, technology acts as funding institution -
it saves time! A task that could take you an hour can be done in minutes using
gadgets. This time that you save can be utilized to indulge in some complex
thinking and doing other chores that are an important part of our routine. But
even if we have ample time in our hands, we don't take the extra effort to
pressurize our brains to get what we want. In the battle for effort and
convenience, the latter triumphs.
But however, computers and
gadgets are made by humans. Whatever a human brain is capable of doing cannot
be easily done by a technological gadget, especially when it pertains to the
realms of innovation and creativity.
