essay about technology in the past and present

• Are We too Dependent on Technology? Words: 1688
• Negative Effects of Technology on Society Words: 1456
• Communication Technology and the Reduced Contacts of People Words: 648
• How Technology Has Affected Communication Words: 933
• Social Relations After Impact of Technology Words: 1658
• The Relationships Between Technology Progress and Communication Words: 567
• Interconnection of Nature, Society, and Technology Words: 1137
• Technology and Interpersonal Communication Words: 1566
• How Technology Affects Communication Words: 636
• Technology in Human Interpretation Words: 1097

Technology of the Past and Present

Living in a rapidly changing world can be challenging, but it also provides numerous opportunities to examine the differences between the lifestyles of people living in the past and present. They are primarily related to technological development since it defines types and quality of communication of any kind. In this way, the Internet and social media shape our mindsets and the perceptions of life goals that we obtain while interacting with others. Moreover, they define the degree of trust in relationships and the number of time people spends together.

Life in the past seems to be more favorable in terms of meaningful connections and focusing on a limited number of people. Due to the lack of opportunities to contact another person any time, day or night, our parents and grandparents valued their relationships more than we do. As for mass media, this source of information was more reliable and, therefore, trusted. The lack of specific opportunities, such as the Internet and other modern technologies, did not prevent people from being sociable. However, it definitely reduced the level of stress resulting from the continuous comparison of oneself with others.

The present-day world with its limitless opportunities for socialization does not improve its quality. Most interactions do not contribute to one’s sense of belonging to the community or society, and they result in the emergence of depression and other mental health issues. People tend to be jealous of others’ successes and compare themselves with those who seem to be luckier than others. Hence, the principal effects of current socialization methods on types and quality of social interactions related to the general worsening of communication and the replacement of meaningful connections by numerous contacts.

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2022, January 11). Technology of the Past and Present. https://studycorgi.com/technology-of-the-past-and-present/

"Technology of the Past and Present." StudyCorgi , 11 Jan. 2022, studycorgi.com/technology-of-the-past-and-present/.

StudyCorgi . (2022) 'Technology of the Past and Present'. 11 January.

1. StudyCorgi . "Technology of the Past and Present." January 11, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/technology-of-the-past-and-present/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "Technology of the Past and Present." January 11, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/technology-of-the-past-and-present/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "Technology of the Past and Present." January 11, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/technology-of-the-past-and-present/.

This paper, “Technology of the Past and Present”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: November 11, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

We provide a paper-free news platform to tech-savvy people so they can learn new tech trends and excel in the field of technology.

Cryptocurrency

Cybersecurity

Contact Info

Technology then & now – comparison of past & present technology.

• by Hadiya Ikram
• October 24, 2022
• 3 minutes read
• 2 years ago

When we explore the development of technology, we can see how it has changed over time. These innovations help us understand how swiftly technology is developing. Today, technology created by humans itself rules the planet.

Vintage Technologies That We No Longer Use

• Phonographs
• Reel to Reel
• Cassette Tape Recorders
• Transistor Radios
• Cassette Tapes
• Telex Machines

Our lives are now controlled by technology. Without smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers, we couldn’t function. The technology market has boomed briefly, and many people today find it impossible to envision life without it. Understanding how technology develops and why it matters is essential to comprehend how we emerged from the dark ages (which weren’t long ago) to where we are now.

1: Way of Communication:

The advancement of technology has altered how we communicate. Back then, the only means of communication with people who lived far away was through the mail. Several technologies are now available to stay in contact with your folks. Calls, video chats, faxes, and texts are all possible with

2: CyberSecurity:

Security was necessary for everyone, whether they lived in 2022 or survived until 2035. Previously, or at that time, security was reserved for your home. Banks or shops employ security guards to safeguard your most valuable possessions. Cybersecurity takes steps to safeguard your valuable data online. These experts in cutting-edge technology shield everything from information about your bank account to data on your mobile device.

There are around 300 million hacker attempts worldwide, and all data sold on the black market depends on the sort of data or whose firms’ data is involved. As a result, huge businesses are now present here.

3: AI & Robotics:

You may have seen or heard about how robots would rule the world in 2030 and make people their servants in several movies. Some scientists thought of this as a comparison of human DNA and technology.

Science is addressing these AI robots as a significant threat to the current demanding jobs, even though their involvement was in processes in many industries. Hotels started them as waiters, or some machinery robots were used in packing factories or manufactured and assembled the product in the factory. According to research, machine learning is one of the most in-demand abilities worldwide, earning 190$ billion.

4: Advancement in Transportation:

Traveling back then took time. The only available modes of transportation at the time were ships, tiny wagons, and horse-drawn carriages with a terrible reputation. Arrival at the address takes a while. Transport is more practical as a result of technological advancement.

The pace at which technology progresses is extraordinary. Numerous new forms of transportation, including vehicles and planes, have been made possible by technology. Travel has undergone a rapid transformation thanks to recent inventions.

5: Progressive Media:

There haven’t been many entertainment-related technologies in history. However, technology development has also had great success in this area. Such devices were created using digital technology, enabling you to learn anything while sitting in your room.

The most popular kind of connectivity in the world is the internet. It offers several platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and others. Just one click or tap, and you can connect to the globe; thanks to these platforms.

Conclusion:

Technologies always find a solution in due course and evolve. In the past year, technology has progressed at the speed of light. If a caveman lived in that period, he would be astounded to see a skillfully done digital appraisal.

Technical methods rely on the requirement for inventions to address problems. In the past, when Covid 19 emerged, we all entered the era of digital evolution, which, whether we like it or not, we must follow to survive. Problems have always been solved by new technologies.

Future years will witness more innovative technologies sprout and develop. Additionally, all of the aforementioned developing technologies directly affect you. Your contemporary mixed work environment is transformed by them as well.

Share This Post:

Hadiya Ikram

Top 3 tech trends to follow in 2023, litecoin (ltc) – overview, mining and trading.

[…] Technology Then & Now – Comparison of Past & Present Technology […]

[…] that have transformed the way we live, work, and communicate. In this article, we will explore the evolution of technology from the past to the present. We will also examine how ChatGPT, a revolutionary artificial […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Post

Exploring the Spectrum of Technology: A Comprehensive Overview of

How Mobile Apps Can Get Benefit from Blockchain Technology

what is blockchain technology and how does it work?

The Evolution of Technology: Past, Present and Future

Technology has become an integral part of our lives. From smartphones to computers, these technologies have become indispensable, and we heavily rely on them. In a relatively short span of time, technology has rapidly advanced and now, many people cannot imagine life without it.

To fully understand the scope of this transformation, we must look at how technology has evolved and its significance.

Purpose Drives Technology Forward

All technologies serve a purpose. For instance, search engines were created to organize vast amounts of online data. Each upgrade builds upon existing technologies, leading to continuous improvement. However, this lightning-fast pace of technological evolution has made it challenging for many to keep up.

Admittedly, summarizing the vast scope of technology in a single blog post is nearly impossible. That said, here's a brief glimpse into the rapid evolution of the Internet and technology in recent years.

The Past: World, Meet the Internet

Looking back to the 1990s, the Internet was a new commodity that gradually became accessible to households and businesses. For those living in that era, the nostalgic sound of the painfully slow dial-up signal connecting to the Internet remains a vivid memory (EEEE-AAAAAHH!!!!).

Fortunately, as the Internet gained popularity, technology advanced, eliminating the need for phone lines and providing faster connections to the World Wide Web. This transformation allowed more people to experience the benefits of the Internet and enjoy seamless online experiences.

Websites and Blogging Are Born

Websites evolved right alongside the Internet. Suddenly, everyone had a GeoCities or Tripod website dedicated to themselves. In their early stages, websites were simple in both function and design. This was also when the blogging craze began to gain popularity with the introduction of " weblogs " (later shortened to "blogs"). Remember Xanga? If only we had known then what we know now.

Floppy Discs: The Real-Life Save Icon

After a few years, the process of sharing information became increasingly convenient. Instead of relying on floppy discs or CD-ROMs, people began exchanging documents through email or storing large files on USB sticks or flash drives. This shift made the transfer of data much more efficient and streamlined.

As new technologies emerged, they built upon one another, resulting in more advanced, efficient, and powerful innovations. This rapid development of the Internet has profoundly impacted the way we live, work, and function in today's world.

The Present: Snaps, Chats, and Double Taps

In just a decade's time, access to the Internet has become almost universal, surpassing the days of dial-up. Nowadays, it is a rare occurrence to find a coffee shop, library, or any place of business without the convenience of Wi-Fi connectivity. Even if Wi-Fi is out of reach, most individuals effortlessly connect to the Internet using their smartphones and personal hotspots through cellular data connections.

Today, the Internet connects people and businesses all around the world. With a simple click, you can video call someone on the other side of the globe, order groceries to be delivered to your doorstep, or even attend classes from prestigious universities without leaving your home. The possibilities seem endless.

There’s an App for That

With this anywhere/anytime access to the Internet, businesses have developed web applications to cater to the common needs of consumers. These applications can do everything from tracking food portions to sending massive amounts of information in a click of a button.  In a world that’s always on the go, these apps provide convenience and efficiency.

The Evolution and Revolution of Communication

Communication has undergone a remarkable evolution. Remember the days of face-to-face conversations? Handwritten letters? Waiting by the phone—the kind with a cord? Technology continuously reshapes how we connect. Today, the most striking difference online is the ability to be personable in an impersonal environment. Constant connection is the name of the game. And with connection comes instant availability. Bluetooth connections, talk-to-text, messaging apps in every form. Whether you're driving, in meetings, or at home, connections are everywhere.

Social Media: Connecting People Like Never Before 

We've watched texting evolve from the simple exchange of text-only messages to the emergence of visual elements, thanks to the widespread popularity of gifs, memes, emojis, and Bitmojis. In fact, with the rise of short-form video sharing, traditional text is becoming more concise (think Snapchat, Instagram Stories and Reels, Facebook Stories, etc.) and accompanied by shorthand abbreviations.

Social media platforms have taken over our lives. As of July 2023, as many as 4.88 billion people, or 59.9% of the world’s population, use social media, according to a Statista study . Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok are just a few examples of how people stay connected in today's world. These platforms allow people to share their thoughts, pictures, and videos with friends and followers, making the world a smaller place. People can now connect with others who share similar interests, creating online communities and networks. Although superficial at times, this form of communication helps people stay closer to each other when they would have otherwise lost contact or never met.

Face to Face (Virtually Speaking)

Face-to-face conversations via technology are resurfacing, though, and even strengthening, thanks to higher-quality video and streaming capabilities (enter Skype, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, FaceTime, live streaming, etc.). With more people engaging in web/video conferencing online, geographic barriers that once hindered communication were torn down. Instead, companies can engage with consumers in a more human manner, people can talk to other people face-to-face without the need for costly travel, and reaching out to people all over the world is faster and easier.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the landscape of video-calling, making it a new norm both in the workplace and at home. As remote work and virtual meetings became necessary for safety, video-calling platforms became essential tools for collaboration and communication. From team meetings to virtual happy hours, video-calling provided a lifeline for maintaining connections in a time of physical distancing. Even with the pandemic in the rearview, the convenience and efficiency of video-calling remains a valuable way to stay connected in a fast-paced, globalized society.

Cutting the Cord: The Era of Video Streaming

Remember when Netflix was a primarily a DVD delivery company, sending your favorite movies through the mail? Back before binge-watching became our new normal.

Today, more and more people are ditching traditional cable , opting for digital streaming and video services like Netflix, YouTube TV, and Hulu. Big brands are trying to keep up and compete, doing their best to one-up each other with original content, availability, and delivery channels (e.g., Apple TV+, Disney Plus, Prime Video, etc.). From our favorite TV shows to live sports events, streaming services have become the go-to for entertainment.

The rise of streaming has also changed the landscape for advertisers. With more people opting out of traditional cable and satellite television, businesses have shifted their focus towards digital advertising on streaming platforms. This allows them to reach a wider audience and target specific demographics with precision.

User-generated content is also a force to acknowledge. Thanks to streaming options like Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and TikTok Live, individuals and businesses can broadcast their own videos and content.  This has made it possible for anyone to create their own brand and have a platform to showcase their talents, ideas, and thoughts.

Today’s Tech Forecast: iCloud Days Ahead

Cloud-based services have revolutionized the way people and companies operate. Instead of relying on a single device, more and more businesses are storing everything online. This shift is transforming traditional office environments and reshaping how people interact with companies. The days of flash drives are numbered, thanks to the prevalence of cloud storage options like iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and FTP sites.

With an array of new technologies enabling seamless access to information and fostering connections, the future of technological developments looks incredibly promising.

The Future: Emerging Trends on the Horizon

As existing technologies continue to advance and integrate, both consumers and businesses can anticipate a wealth of opportunities with future technology. The pace of technological innovation will accelerate, enabling greater efficiency and productivity in our work. While we can't predict the future with certainty, we can speculate on the evolution of technology based on emerging media and current trends. Here are a few key trends to keep an eye on in the years to come.

Smart is the New Sexy

Smart technology has already seeped into our daily lives through the use of voice assistants, smart home devices, and wearable tech. With the continuous development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, we can expect to see smarter and more intuitive devices in our households. These advancements will not only provide convenience but also enhance safety and security.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Take Center Stage

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have been slowly gaining traction in various industries, but their full potential is yet to be realized. From gaming and entertainment to education, training, and healthcare, AR/VR technology has the power to completely change the way we interact with our environment. As these technologies become more accessible and affordable, we can expect to see a surge in their use and application.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is all about connecting everyday objects through the Internet. This tech has already made its mark in various gadgets, from smart appliances to cars and wearable fitness trackers. But that's just the beginning. As IoT keeps evolving and merging with other tech, it's poised to revolutionize our daily routines.

Imagine a world where your car alerts you to traffic jams, or your alarm clock tells you your coffee's brewing. That's the IoT magic, blurring the line between the physical and virtual realms. It's like living in a sci-fi movie, with smart speakers, homes, and cars leading the charge.

Think of IoT as a massive network of devices—gadgets, vehicles, home appliances, you name it—all linked up and sharing data. The number of IoT-connected devices worldwide is forecast to almost double from 15.1 billion in 2020 to more than 29 billion IoT devices in 2030. This isn't some distant future; it's happening now, or at least, it's right around the corner.

In short, IoT isn't just a buzzword; it's a game-changer that's already transforming our lives and shaping the future.

Working Remotely: The New Norm

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an unprecedented transformation in our workforce. Technology played a pivotal role in making remote work the new norm. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet bridged the physical gap, turning homes into virtual boardrooms and connecting teams across the globe. Collaborative tools such as Slack and Trello ensured seamless coordination, even when separated by miles.

This shift has blurred the boundaries between home and office, with employees setting up home offices equipped with high-speed internet and ergonomic chairs. Remote work has not only freed us from the daily commute but also provided flexible schedules and an improved work-life balance.

For businesses, remote work has presented cost-saving opportunities by reducing overhead costs associated with physical offices and granting access to a global talent pool. Looking ahead, remote work is poised to remain a permanent fixture in our work landscape, reshaping our understanding of the workplace and how we harmonize work and life. It serves as yet another testament to the profound impact of technology on our lives.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) may sound complex, but in simpler terms, it involves teaching computers to think and learn like humans. Over time, technological advancements have propelled AI forward, making it smarter and more capable. Think of AI as the brain behind tools like ChatGPT, which can chat with you like a human, or chatbots that assist with customer service inquiries. These AI-driven creations are just the beginning, showing how machines are learning to understand and interact with us.

The latest leap in AI innovation comes in the form of generative AI, which uses a cutting-edge model called Stable Diffusion to create photorealistic images, animations, and even videos from text and image prompts. For instance, DALL-E 2 can create realistic images and artwork from natural language prompts, blurring the line between human and machine creativity. In the video domain, Next Diffusion stands out, enabling the manipulation of existing video footage to craft entirely new content. Whether it's background inpainting, face swapping, or the creation of hyper-realistic individuals, the possibilities in the realm of video editing are nothing short of remarkable.

AI's influence echoes across industries, transforming how businesses operate. In customer service, AI-powered chatbots provide quick, personalized responses. Supply chain management relies on AI to predict trends and streamline logistics. In healthcare, AI analyzes complex medical data for disease predictions and treatments. Undoubtedly, AI is a game-changer, refining how businesses function and interact with the world.

As we look to the future, AI's trajectory is poised for astonishing heights, promising more personalized content and transformative breakthroughs in healthcare and scientific discovery. AI is our bridge to a future where technology becomes astoundingly human-like in its understanding and abilities.

Why Bother Keeping Up with Technology?

It's a valid question. Technology is in a constant state of flux, and it can sometimes feel overwhelming to keep up with an ever-moving target. But remember, staying abreast of technological advancements adds value to your business .

Remaining up to date ensures that you don't miss out on opportunities, become irrelevant, or lag behind your competitors. Remember Kodak? They taught us a valuable lesson: don't fear embracing change.

Here are a few effective strategies to stay informed and keep pace:

• Follow industry blogs (including ours !)
• Listen to industry thought leaders
• Engage with relevant topics on social media
• Join online and in-person groups
• Tune in to tech-focused podcasts
• Participate in tech forums
• Subscribe to pertinent e-Newsletters
• Utilize Google alerts

By implementing these approaches, you can navigate the ever-changing tech landscape with confidence and seize the advantages it presents.

The Final Frontier

In a world where technology knows no bounds, space may not be the final frontier we once imagined. Instead, technology has become its own frontier, an ever-evolving force that reshapes our world daily. With every step we take into the realm of technology, we're forging new habits and discovering novel ways of collaborating and thriving.

While the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: we firmly believe in harnessing the incredible potential of technology to craft personalized solutions. The power of technology lies not just in its innovation, but in its ability to transform lives and businesses alike.

Ready to embark on your own technological journey? Contact DiscoverTec today and let us guide your business towards harnessing the limitless possibilities of technology.

Published on: October 13, 2023 by Donny Lamey, CEO

How Has Technology Changed from the Past to the Present?

by Logan Bessant | Nov 16, 2021 | Science

From computers to smartphones, most of us interact with technology in our daily lives to varying degrees. But how has technology changed from the past to the present? Technology has influenced many parts of life over time. The way we lived in the past and how we live now is significantly different, thanks to technological advancements. Changes in technology have an impact on how we work, travel, communicate, and play.

For example, the internet allows us to access information at any time and from any location. We can do our shopping and banking online thanks to connectivity. We can communicate with friends and family in real-time from anywhere on the planet.

In this post, we’ll take a look at how technology has changed from the past to the present and cover some of the most influential technological developments.

The History Of The Workplace

Before we delve into the timeline of technology and how it evolved over the years, let’s first consider the history of the workplace .

For as long as mankind can remember, humans have always been working. Today men and women alike are to work in any job without the government or society holding them back, but this was not always possible.

Stereotypical gender roles whereby the woman stays at home to cook, clean and raise children whilst the man went to work were considered the norm before the 18th century. Evidently, things have changed since then. With the feminist movement of the 1960s women began to enter the workforce in great numbers, marking a significant moment in history. 

What Are The Eras Of Technology?

Technology, just like gender equality, has also come a long way since then. Back in the 1960s, the most advanced technologies used in the workplace were the typewriter, telephone and the first computer mouse.

Things like copper wires, LEDs, optic fibers, tin were discovered which drastically increased the efficiency for a much larger framework. This then opened the floodgates that led to the next discovery and the one after that and so on. 

1970s 

During the 70s, floppy discs and fax machines had been invented. Computers began to find their way into the workplace with a standard one only having a basic word processor, as well as the first-ever spreadsheet.

In fact, the birth of modern computing was in the 1970s and the world’s first general microprocessor, the Intel 4004, came out in November 1971. It was also in this area when fiber optics came into play to transmit sound and image data. 

It was during the 1980s that technology really began to take off. The computer started to gain popularity in the workplace, which marked the beginning of a new technological era changing the workplace forever. There was the invention of the world wide web and the birth of Microsoft Office. 

There were also some historical tech moments that happened in the 80s including the market launch of the first mobile phone, and the registration of the first-ever ‘.com’ business.  

Technology really raced forward after this, with office design in the 1990s becoming more utilitarian and functional in contrast to the 80s. The improvements in connectivity and the creation of the internet meant a computer went from being a luxury item to an essential item for almost every employee.

Many gadgets and electronic devices were born in the 90s too including the iconic Walkman, Discman and MP3 players. 

The 2000s were a time of evolution and revolution in the way people worked. Technology and high-speed connectivity became very prevalent in society, and mobile phones began to be mass-produced.

Many new applications such as Skype, Google and MySpace started to gain popularity as connecting with people over the internet became the new normal. 

What Was The First Digital Technology?

The first telephone call was in 1876 and was carried out by Alexander Graham Bell. Although this was a huge historical advancement, it was not digital. The first digital technology wasn’t invented until nearly 100 years later. 

It’s not as simple to answer the question ‘when was the first computer’ made’ due to the classifications of the different types of computers. But in 1822, Charles Babbage conceptualized and began developing the Difference Engine which is considered to be the first automatic computing engine that was capable of computing several sets of numbers and making hard copies of the results.

The first modern was created between 1936 and 1938 by a German man named Konrad Zuse and it is thought to be the first electro-mechanical binary programmable computer. 

It was then in 1951 that the first commercially available computer was released. It was designed for simple arithmetic and data handling and was very large and bulky compared to computers today.

What Technology Has Changed The World The Most?

Technology has come a really long way, especially over the past 25 years. During this time period there have been countless discoveries, breakthroughs and inventions. Some of these have led to the making of ground-breaking products and services, whilst others seemed relevant for a while then their popularity fizzled out. 

Here is a look at some of the technology that has really made an impact and changed the way the world works the most.

In 2021, a standard degree of connectivity is expected no matter where you are. From supermarkets to coffee shops, WiFi maintains our productivity, our organization, and our health. 

We rely on WiFi and internet connections for so many daily tasks, which sometimes we may not even notice. From reading the news to checking the weather to even taking a picture, our gadgets and smartphones require access to wifi to function. 

When Was WiFi Invented And How Does It Work?

Simply speaking, WiFi was invented in 1997 and uses electromagnetic waves to communicate data between a transmitter and a device at two main frequencies: 2.4Ghz (802.11b) and 5Ghz (802.11a). 

Once a transmitter receives data from the internet, it converts the data into a radio signal that can be received and read by WiFi-enabled devices. 

Internet Of Things

The internet of things is a relatively new term that has made its way into the technology vocabulary. It essentially refers to any physical objects that are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies, which connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet. 

Today, there are tens of billions of internet-connected devices around the globe which all make up part of the internet of things. From apps on our phones that can turn our heating on and off, to being able to check who is at the front door in seconds, the internet really has simplified our lives in many ways. 

Bluetooth 

Another wireless communication technology that has proven indispensable over the last 20 years since its creation, Bluetooth is the key that unlocked many new technological advances. 

It was originally invented to connect mobiles to a hands-free headset, to allow people to continue conversations whilst keeping their hands available for other uses. After the realisation of just how useful Bluetooth is, it was implemented in countless new technologies. 

From linking earbuds to phones or keyboards to computers, the power of Bluetooth allows completely different electronic devices to easily communicate with each other.

Bitcoin 

Bitcoin is the digital cryptocurrency that has only come into the spotlight within the last 10 years. It is a decentralised form of currency which means that no central bank, government, or authority can control or regulate it. 

Compared to the other technological discoveries in this list, Bitcoin is very new. And this brand new technology has already illustrated its ability to fundamentally disrupt the global financial system, which means it is not going away any time soon. 

Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial intelligence is slowly, but surely, becoming one of the most influential technological discoveries of all time. It can be applied in so many different sectors and fields across the world and is helping to create solutions and overcome some of the biggest problems faced today. 

The number of devices that AI (artificial intelligence) plays a part in may surprise you, from being the brains behind facial recognition to solving transposition issues to even analysing movies and creating a recommended list just for you. 

Social Media 

The uprising of social media happened very quickly, leaving very few people in today’s world without an account on one of the social media sites. 

When a business can use social media to connect with its audience, it can use social media to generate brand awareness, leads, sales, and revenue. Similarly for personal use, creating an account and adding your friends and family can help you to stay connected and reach out to people so effortlessly. 

What Are The Benefits Of Technology To Society?

Recapping the ways in which technology has had the biggest impact on the world can really make you think – what is the benefit of technology to society? 

Considering the new technological developments and advancements over the last few decades which have resulted in the 21st century being known as the era of science and technology, it is no secret just how far we’ve come.

That’s why technology plays such an important role in society today. It has positive and negative effects on the world, determines how people interact with each other on a daily basis and impacts daily lives.

If we all took a moment out of our busy lives to think, we’ll start to see the roles and benefits that technology has played in improving human life including: 

Easing access to information

The saying ‘the world at your fingertips’ can be taken quite literally here. Browser searches, such as Google or Yahoo, can provide you with any information you need, night or day.

This easy access to information has transformed the way the world works right before our eyes. Information from all around the globe is widely available on the internet and news sites are much more straightforward to access. 

Better communication 

Many centuries ago, the only way to communicate with others was either by meeting face to face, or writing a letter and having it delivered (which took weeks, if not months to arrive). 

Slowly this started to change with the advancements in technology. The increase of electronic networking helped to remove the time and distance as ways of slowing down communication. This has been beneficial to many parts of society, including business, education and international, and even personal relationships.

Today, instant messaging and the immediate sharing of photos and videos with a simple click of a button keeps everyone friends, family and even your boss connected at all times. 

Increased productivity 

Technology allows for remote working which has shown to increase employee productivity. This is beneficial for businesses as well as the economy because people are able to work from anywhere and contribute their ideas and options without physically having to be there. 

Proper time management is also another way of increasing productivity. Using an online calendar which all your employees have access to ensures that no one misses a meeting or an important deadline. Applications are available which allow you to plot tasks and complete these within their designated timelines (setting reminders can also help keep you on track and develop good habits). 

Furthermore, technology automates and systematizes workflows and processes which in turn allows you and your employees to focus on core business tasks and revenue-generating activities.

Saving time and money 

One of the main goals of the increase in technological devices includes making things cheaper and more affordable for people. This can be seen by the varying price points of similar tech items on the market today. 

More often than not, competition takes place between two or more industries which results in even lesser prices. This is a great benefit to society because it means that everyone can access the advanced tools they need.

Another way that technology saves time and money is by making businesses paperless. It is much easier to search through electronic records for the information that you need, and also means you won’t have to spend as much money on office supplies, filing systems, paper and ink.

Cloud-based services make it much easier to store important electronic documents and files, and workers can collaborate more readily on projects when using the cloud for storage. 

What Are The Negatives Of Technology?

As with anything in this world, technology also has its downsides. In comparison with the benefits that technology has given us, the cons are definitely a much shorter list, but it is still important to discuss these factors too. 

Global Impacts 

Depletion of resources.

One of the most concerning issues associated with the increasing use of technologies is the depletion of natural resources, whether that be rare earth elements/minerals, food sources, or fossil fuels.

Many of the earth’s natural resources are having to be exploited to meet the ever-growing demands of technological advancements. Rare elements such as gold, coltan and tantalum are commonly used in modern gadgets, including smart phones, which have caused many feuds between countries. 

Air and water pollution 

It is also no secret how much global warming is impacting climate change. The burning of fossil fuels massively increases the amount of damaging gases sent up into the atmosphere which is only worsening the global climate situation.

Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and methane are introduced into the earth’s atmosphere. The sad truth is that the main sources of pollution all relate back to technologies which emerged following the industrial revolution. 

This pollution then gets reintroduced back into our oceans and water systems when it rains, or by human activity. Some of the most common water pollutants are domestic waste, industrial effluents and insecticides and pesticides.

Physical Impacts 

Eye strain .

Sitting in front of a computer or laptop all day for work, or browsing through social media for too long, will inevitably have an effect on our eyes.

You can tell if you have eyestain by analysing your symptoms which can include blurred vision and dry eyes. This may also lead to pains in other areas of the body, such as the head, neck, or shoulders.

Taking regular breaks away from the screen to rest your eyes can reduce the chances of suffering from eye strain. 

Sleep problems 

Our mobile phones, tablets and laptops all contain blue light which stimulates our brains. Being exposed to too much blue light late at night, or before we go to bed, can negatively impact our sleep pattern. This can make it much longer to fall asleep as well as disturbing the body’s natural circadian rhythm. 

To avoid this, it’s best to avoid using any technological devices 1-2 hours before going to sleep. You can try reading a book or taking a bath as a way of unwinding after a long day instead of scrolling through the news. 

Poor posture 

Many technological devices require a “down and forward” position to use them, meaning the person is hunched forward and looking down at the screen. This can put an unnecessary amount of pressure on the neck and spine and cause posture and back problems in the long-term. 

You can prevent this from happening by investing in good quality furniture that provides support to your back. Taking short breaks, such as walking around the office every hour, may also help keep the muscles loose and avoid tension and incorrect posture.

Technology In The Present Day

During the present day, technology makes up such a vital part of our lives that sits hard to imagine what the world looked like before. There are so many different types of technologies used within today’s world across a variety of sectors. 

Healthcare 

Technology has brought a huge, and quite frankly needed, change to the way healthcare works. From administration to surgery, technology has truly revolutionised the healthcare industry as a whole. 

Patients now have access to some of the best diagnostic tools, and doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals are all equipped with the latest technology to treat them. This means that it is possible for patients to get in touch with specialists in practically any part of the world for consultations and second opinions, regardless of where they themselves are located.

Finance 

Financial and banking services use a wide range of different technologies to improve customer service and provide state of the art services. This has been shown by the increased number of people turning to online and mobile banking, and the decrease in the number of people actually visiting a banking branch. 

Exponential growth in information technology has created opportunities for companies to leverage digitisation of their banking technology to transform the financial services industry through better customer experience management. 

This can be done by using blockchain technology, for example, to facilitate transactions and  combine them with the speed and cost benefits.

Agriculture 

The process of farming goes back a very, very long way as it is one the primary methods of getting food for nourishment. Nowadays technology is helping farmers to improve their quality of life by increasing their revenue. 

Farming methods are increasingly becoming more refined, less manual, with yields significantly increasing. By precise forecasting, data-driven decision making and the use of GPS farmers are able to operate their land at maximum efficiency. 

Before technology played a part, each farm and piece of land was designated to a certain animal or crop but today it is not uncommon to find beef poultry, beef cattle, and dairy cows on the same farm.

Smart farming techniques allow farmers to monitor the individual needs of their animals better and regulate their nutrition correspondingly, thereby averting disease and improving their health.

Technology Of The Future

The future of technology was, and still remains, unknown. The jump that was made in the last decade, let alone the last century, has been so big to the point where nobody expected it. Workplaces of all kinds have drastically improved the way that they work and people have become more connected than ever. 

Although it’s impossible to know exactly what will be invented in the future, there are some predictions. 

Some parts in the future of technology will simply expand on discoveries already made. An example of this is artificial intelligence. Right now, artificial intelligence is an extremely important part of many sectors such as: 

• Transportation: Self-driving cars are being tested out and perfected. 
• Manufacturing: Robots assist with assembly and stacking, and predictive analysis sensors keep equipment running smoothly. 
• Education: Virtual tutors can assist teachers to better tailor the experience to students individual needs.
• Advertising: Algorithms track your movement online to better customise adverts based on your searched history. 

These advances in artificial intelligence technology are just the beginning, and it is expected that the future holds so much more in store. From healthcare and medicines tailored to your exact genome, to even stronger cybersecurity, the future of AI is exciting. 

Space Tourism 

Whilst some technologies continue to build up on information that we do know, others such as space tourism are completely new. As time goes by the concept of being able to buy a seat that will take you up into space orbit and back down again is edging more and more towards a reality. 

A trip is being planned by Axiom Space for 2022 which will go up into space and orbit the earth before seeing the international space station. These trips do come at a cost and depending on which company you choose will put you back between £250,000 and £55 million. And even though these figures may seem ridiculous for some, the experience of viewing the Earth from space may prove to be priceless for a whole new generation of space explorers.

Big Data 

Around a decade ago, the amount of data began to increase expostentailly without showing any signs of stopping. This is still true to this day, with the majority of big data consisting of web browser searches, text messages, social networks and media files. 

The amount of big data is only predicted to increase as it is expected that 75% of the world’s population will be interacting with online data every day by 2025.  

Such large datasets are challenging to work with in terms of their storage and processing, which predicts a high demand for data scientists within the near future. 

Logan Bessant is a dedicated science educator and the founder of Science Resource Online, launched in 2020. With a background in science education and a passion for accessible learning, Logan has built a platform that offers free, high-quality educational resources to learners of all ages and backgrounds.

Related Articles:

• What is STEM education?
• How Stem Education Improves Student Learning
• What Are the Three Domains for the Roles of Technology for Teaching and Learning?
• Why Is FIDO2 Secure?

Featured Articles

Home — Essay Samples — Information Science and Technology — Impact of Technology — Importance Of Technology

Importance of Technology

• Categories: Impact of Technology

About this sample

Words: 696 |

Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 696 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Information Science and Technology

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 864 words

5 pages / 2426 words

4 pages / 1757 words

1 pages / 590 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Impact of Technology

Scholars still question the positive and negative effects of the Internet to the society until today. The Internet had always been a great help to the present generation. The population assumes it is the most notable invention [...]

Technology has significantly transformed various sectors, and the school system is no exception. In recent years, the integration of technology in education has led to improved access to information, enhanced teaching and [...]

Technology undoubtedly enriches our lives, offering endless opportunities for learning, connection, and convenience. However, as the dependence on technology among teenagers continues to rise, it's crucial to recognize both [...]

"Is Google Making Us Stupid" is an article written by Nicholas Carr that discusses the impact of the internet on our cognitive abilities. The article explores how the internet, particularly search engines like Google, is [...]

Technology is a growing issue across the world causing a negative impact on adolescents. Technology is affecting socialization, health and overall education of youth. Throughout the year’s technology has drastically increased, [...]

Information Technology (IT) has become prevalent in organizations and is embedded in business processes across all functional areas, replacing cumbersome and aging analog procedures. Large scale IT infrastructure has helped [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Technology and Its Impact in the World Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Technology impacts, works cited.

Technology is defined as the use of tools, techniques and methods of organization in solving real world problems, which aims at performing specific tasks.

Technology has a profound root in the society; this is because today’s world relies on the advances in technology. These advances in technology in today’s world has sped people’s lives and made the world a smaller place to live in as it makes different locations closer to one another.

In addition, the fact that technology has become omnipresent in the world today due to its widespread use, is vital because it helps people in carrying out their chores in their daily livelihood. It is therefore important that the technology that exists be easily adaptable and able to solve the current world issues as human progress rate is increasing at an alarming rate (Oak 1).

The advances in technology have brought huge changes in the world today. Some of the areas where technology has brought important changes are as follows. First, technology has enabled the world in automating its critical processes in industries and households. The automobile industry has evolved from mechanical to automated automobiles simply because of the driving force that is technology.

Technology is applicable in performing tasks that are not accessible to man and are vital in automating crucial industrial processes. The technologies that are applicable when performing these crucial tasks include the use of robotics and artificial intelligence in carrying out challenging tasks such as space exploration and mining (Oak 1).

Another positive effect of technology is that it has changed the manner of communication. This has been made possible through the use computer technology; computers have the ability to process huge chunks of data at one go. Information digitization has proved to be a vital technology platform since it has made it possible in storing information and helps in enriching the information quality.

The advances in technology enable harnessing of water from natural sources to homes through robust transmission systems. Technology has brought the discovery of electricity that is important in lighting up the world. Electricity is easily generated by using renewable energy resources.

On the other hand, with all the advances in technology, it is unimaginable that technology has its side effects in the society even when the world is at the epitome of technology. In the medical technology world, technology can affect and also harm patients in cases where it involves a machine that has radiation rays.

On environmental technology, there is a lot of waste in terms of chemicals, which directly go back to the environment. Lastly, technology has a negative impact on people since they tend to be lazy and rely mostly on technology (Oak 1).

In conclusion, the advances brought about by technologies, which are the Internet, cell phones, and notebook computers are vital necessity for daily living. Due to these advances, it is easy for us to forget about those who suffer while attempting to provide for their basic needs, such as clean water, food and health care.

It is a good gesture by the developed world to make use of their technologies to help the underprivileged groups of people in the society. Through the continuous use of these technologies, there are advances that targets medical services, improved economy based on the Internet, emerging technologies in information systems sector, advanced farming methods and industrial sectors.

More importantly, educational needs for the people are taken into consideration by these technologies, since they help them become prosperous nations who do not require help from others but are able to get their own resources. Moreover, transferring technology from the developed world to the developing world has various benefits. There will be improvement in living standards, production efficiency and become a base for economic growth (Oak 1).

Oak, Manali. “ Positive Effects of Technology on Society .” Buzzle. 2011. Web.

• The Evolution of the Automobile & Its Effects on Society
• Inventions That the World Would Do Without
• The Evolution of Electricity
• Electricity Is the Most Important Invention
• Technical Evolution of Automobiles
• How Computers Affect Our Lives
• Nanotechnology and its Perspectives in Connecticut
• Purchasing or Leasing Computer Equipment: Advantages and Disadvantages
• Ethical and Illegal Computer Hacking
• Autonomous Controller Robotics: The Future of Robots
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2018, June 11). Technology and Its Impact in the World. https://ivypanda.com/essays/impact-of-technology-in-the-world/

"Technology and Its Impact in the World." IvyPanda , 11 June 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/impact-of-technology-in-the-world/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Technology and Its Impact in the World'. 11 June.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Technology and Its Impact in the World." June 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/impact-of-technology-in-the-world/.

1. IvyPanda . "Technology and Its Impact in the World." June 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/impact-of-technology-in-the-world/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Technology and Its Impact in the World." June 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/impact-of-technology-in-the-world/.

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

• Basic site functions
• Ensuring secure, safe transactions
• Secure account login
• Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
• Remembering privacy and security settings
• Analyzing site traffic and usage
• Personalized search, content, and recommendations
• Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

• Remembering general and regional preferences
• Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy .

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .

Computers: Past, Present, and Future

By: joseph nichols.

Joey Nichols

The computer is undoubtedly one of, if not the most important invention ever created by mankind. It’s profound impact on culture and science has fundamentally changed our society. It has quickly evolved from a basic mathematical calculation device to one of the building blocks of how the modern world operates. The development of the computer has been essentially based around making it smaller and faster, which has happened rapidly over the last 50 years. The future will surely include this same pattern, as people find new ways to improve efficiency. From the computer’s early predecessors to the infinitely faster supercomputers of today, the future of computer technology will feature improved quantum computing and artificial intelligence.

Early Stages

The development of where computers are today has been a long journey for scientists. The first iterations of the computer were designed to help scientists and businesses with routine calculations to increase efficiency. One such device was the difference engine, created by Charles Babbage in 1832. According to the Britannica page on the developmental history of computers, “this advanced calculator was intended to produce logarithm tables used in navigation. The value of numbers was represented by the positions of the toothed wheels marked with decimal numbers,” (Swaine). This revolutionary device was one of the first stepping stones toward developing the hardware behind the first traditional computers.

The next major step toward the modern computer was a device called the Analytical Engine developed in the 1930’s at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This device was used to help mathematicians solve complicated differential equations. While this device was limited to just solving this one type of calculus problem, the basic principles behind how the machine operated were instrumental in the journey towards the first iteration of the computer that we know today. For instance, the Analytical Engine introduced a central calculating unit that was fully programmable; which would evolve into the central processing unit (CPU) that today’s computers are built around. From the 1930’s, computer technology rapidly progressed as governments wanted them for national security and war. The worlds top research institutions and tech corporations have worked and competed for decades to improve computers, making them smaller and more efficient for the everyday person and scientists alike.

That brings us to the state of computer technology today. Since it’s early beginnings, computers have come a long way in their development. Today’s computers are a trillion-fold faster than computers from 50 years ago. This is mainly due to transistor chips in the CPU being made smaller. The smaller the transistors are designed, the more that can be fit in the CPU which will increase processing power.

Moreover, computers are no longer just in expensive research labs. People all over the world have filled their houses with computer based devices. Smart phones, cars, TVs, and even watches contain computers that do the bidding of their user. Because of the mass integration of computers and society, people have seen many changes in how the world operates. According to an essay written by computer scientist Jerome Cox, “Computer technology and, more broadly, information technology, are bringing about a fundamental transformation in our society from an industrial economy to an information economy,” (Cox). Almost all jobs now involve a computer and some way shape or form. As Cox said, our society and economy is adopting computer technology to structure itself for the future.

There are two innovations that are most frequently brought up when talking about computers in the future; quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Both innovations will play a major part in each other’s development as well as the development of most future technology.

Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is an intimidating sounding topic, but really it is just a relatively simple way that scientists are using to increase computation efficiency. It basically uses The principles of quantum entanglement to allow a computer to make decisions and run through algorithms at a much faster rate. According to IBM’s informational page on quantum computing, “Universal quantum computers leverage the quantum mechanical phenomena of superposition and entanglement to create states that scale exponentially with number of qubits, or quantum bits,” (Fisher). In simpler terms, because of quantum entanglement and the use of qubits, quantum computers can solve much more complex problems than the average computer at a much higher speed. Normal computers don’t have the storage space or the ability to analyze as many possible solutions as quantum computers, allowing scientists to find solutions to problems that even the world’s fastest supercomputers have been stumped by. The video shown below gives a more in-depth explanation of the technology.

There are a variety of applications for this type of technology that are already being studied by scientists. For instance, the concept of molecular modeling using computers has been very difficult with our current computers. Molecular modeling is a method of precisely simulating the interactions of molecules as well as finding the optimal configurations of said molecules.

Our current computers cannot effectively simulate such complex processes; quantum computers may be the solution. According to Mark Jackson’s article “6 Things Quantum Computers Will Be Incredibly Useful For”, “Chemical reactions are quantum in nature as they form highly entangled quantum superposition states. But fully-developed quantum computers would not have any difficulty evaluating even the most complex processes,” (Jackson). Because of the similar nature of the behavior of quantum computers and molecules, quantum computers are ideal for studying the complex processes of molecular interaction. There are several applications for molecular modeling such as improving pharmaceutical drugs by having more control over the composition of the chemicals.

An arguably more exciting application for quantum computing is artificial intelligence. As said earlier, artificial intelligence and quantum computing make up the basis of what the future of computing will be; quantum computing will play a major part in helping to develop artificial intelligence. What’s currently slowing down the development of more powerful artificial intelligence is how much power and how long it takes for computers to actually run AI. Scientists believe that quantum mechanics and superposition used by quantum computers be the next step toward developing efficient and useful artificial intelligence. Shelly Fan of the Singularity Hub describes what specifically about quantum computing will help improve artificial intelligence in her article titled “Quantum Computing and Reinforcement Learning Are Joining Forces to Make Faster AI”. Fan states, “In our classic world, we — and our AI — need to decide between turning left or right at an intersection. In a quantum setup, however, the AI can (in a sense) turn left and right at the same time,” (Fan). Because quantum computers can do more things at a time and essentially multitask, artificial intelligence programs can run much faster. For instance, if an Artificial intelligence program based in a normal computer is looking for a piece of data in a database, it would have to test each route until it finds the piece of data. This could potentially take a very long time and is fairly inefficient. If the artificial intelligence program was based on quantum computing, it could try several routes simultaneously to work faster.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence technology is set to play a massive role in the future of computer development as well as most other technology. In layman‘s terms, artificial intelligence is when a program is created to simulate human intelligence as well as their learning and problem-solving abilities. There are already early iterations of artificial intelligence used by the public today, such as Alexa from Amazon and Siri from Apple. These AI are very limited in their abilities and have not scratched the surface of where the technology could possibly go. The possible applications for artificial intelligence are endless; they could be used to improve efficiency and accessibility almost anywhere. For example smart homes have already begun to become mainstream as people have the ability to control almost any piece of technology in their home through voice commands. According to an article titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humans’’ from the Pew Research Center, “They said “smart” systems in communities, in vehicles, in buildings and utilities, on farms and in business processes will save time, money and lives and offer opportunities for individuals to enjoy a more customized future,” (Anderson). This technology is perfect for helping people have a greater control over their homes and businesses which will in turn save money and improve productivity. The author, Janna Anderson, goes on to talk about how the incorporation of artificial intelligence could have a profound impact on improving public health programs and nutrition through faster storage and analysis of data in these smart systems.

While most people think of talking smart homes when they discuss AI, the most important future application of artificial intelligence will be in the medical industry. The possible uses for this type of program could have the ability to save millions of lives. According to an article from the University of0 Southern California’s website, “AI algorithms will enable doctors and hospitals to better analyze data and customize their health care to the genes, environment and lifestyle of each patient,” (Gammon). To elaborate, because artificial intelligence can quickly analyze a lot of data and compare it to other cases, doctors can use this technology to create customized treatment plans for sick patients that will be much more effective than anything they can do currently. For example, if a patient was diagnosed with cancer, the doctors could use artificial intelligence to study the patient’s health, lifestyle and genetic data. The AI could also then compare the given data to other patient’s data. After these processes, doctors could make a much more well-informed decision on how to treat the patient’s cancer based on statistical data. The implications of artificial intelligence technology on medical treatment efficiency and success could be instrumental in providing a higher level of healthcare to people across the planet.

When it comes down to it, quantum computing and artificial intelligence are the future of computer science. For the field of computer technology to grow, these topics must be studied and pursued at length. The integration of artificial intelligence and quantum computing into human society will fundamentally change the world for the better. Artificial intelligence powered by quantum computing could be the key to solving many world issues, such as global warming, starvation, and economic inequality. These complex problems can be made simple, as long as our society pursues the right technology to solve them for us.

Works cited

Anderson, Janna, and Lee Rainie. “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humans.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech , Pew Research Center, 22 July 2020, www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/12/10/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-humans/. Accessed 4 April 2021.

Cox, Jerome R, and Cees Zeelenberg. “Computer Technology: State of the Art and Future Trends.” Journal of the American College of Cardiology , Elsevier, 27 May 2010, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073510978780102X. Accessed 4 April 2021.

Fan, Shelly. “Quantum Computing and Reinforcement Learning Are Joining Forces to Make Faster AI.” Singularity Hub , 16 Mar. 2021, singularityhub.com/2021/03/16/quantum-computing-and-reinforcement-learning-are-joining-forces-to-make-faster-ai/. Accessed 3 April 2021.

Fisher, Chris. “IBM: What Is Quantum Computing?” IBM Quantum , 2 Apr. 2009, www.ibm.com/quantum-computing/learn/what-is-quantum-computing/. Accessed 4 April 2021.

Gammon, Katharine. “5 Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Change the World by 2050: USC Trojan Family Magazine.” USC News , 2017, news.usc.edu/trojan-family/five-ways-ai-will-change-the-world-by-2050/. Accessed 4 April 2021.

Jackson, Mark. 6 Things Quantum Computers Will Be Incredibly Useful For. 16 Nov. 2017, singularityhub.com/2017/06/25/6-things-quantum-computers-will-be-incredibly-useful-for/. Accessed 4 April 2021.

Swaine, Michael R. , Hemmendinger, David , Freiberger, Paul A. and Pottenger, William Morton. “Computer”. Encyclopedia Britannica , 22 Sep. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/technology/computer. Accessed 3 April 2021.

Written by Joey Nichols

Text to speech

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Technology Essay

Essay on Technology

The word "technology" and its uses have immensely changed since the 20th century, and with time, it has continued to evolve ever since. We are living in a world driven by technology. The advancement of technology has played an important role in the development of human civilization, along with cultural changes. Technology provides innovative ways of doing work through various smart and innovative means. 

Electronic appliances, gadgets, faster modes of communication, and transport have added to the comfort factor in our lives. It has helped in improving the productivity of individuals and different business enterprises. Technology has brought a revolution in many operational fields. It has undoubtedly made a very important contribution to the progress that mankind has made over the years.

The Advancement of Technology:

Technology has reduced the effort and time and increased the efficiency of the production requirements in every field. It has made our lives easy, comfortable, healthy, and enjoyable. It has brought a revolution in transport and communication. The advancement of technology, along with science, has helped us to become self-reliant in all spheres of life. With the innovation of a particular technology, it becomes part of society and integral to human lives after a point in time.

Technology is Our Part of Life:

Technology has changed our day-to-day lives. Technology has brought the world closer and better connected. Those days have passed when only the rich could afford such luxuries. Because of the rise of globalisation and liberalisation, all luxuries are now within the reach of the average person. Today, an average middle-class family can afford a mobile phone, a television, a washing machine, a refrigerator, a computer, the Internet, etc. At the touch of a switch, a man can witness any event that is happening in far-off places.  

Benefits of Technology in All Fields: 

We cannot escape technology; it has improved the quality of life and brought about revolutions in various fields of modern-day society, be it communication, transportation, education, healthcare, and many more. Let us learn about it.

Technology in Communication:

With the advent of technology in communication, which includes telephones, fax machines, cellular phones, the Internet, multimedia, and email, communication has become much faster and easier. It has transformed and influenced relationships in many ways. We no longer need to rely on sending physical letters and waiting for several days for a response. Technology has made communication so simple that you can connect with anyone from anywhere by calling them via mobile phone or messaging them using different messaging apps that are easy to download.

Innovation in communication technology has had an immense influence on social life. Human socialising has become easier by using social networking sites, dating, and even matrimonial services available on mobile applications and websites.

Today, the Internet is used for shopping, paying utility bills, credit card bills, admission fees, e-commerce, and online banking. In the world of marketing, many companies are marketing and selling their products and creating brands over the internet. 

In the field of travel, cities, towns, states, and countries are using the web to post detailed tourist and event information. Travellers across the globe can easily find information on tourism, sightseeing, places to stay, weather, maps, timings for events, transportation schedules, and buy tickets to various tourist spots and destinations.

Technology in the Office or Workplace:

Technology has increased efficiency and flexibility in the workspace. Technology has made it easy to work remotely, which has increased the productivity of the employees. External and internal communication has become faster through emails and apps. Automation has saved time, and there is also a reduction in redundancy in tasks. Robots are now being used to manufacture products that consistently deliver the same product without defect until the robot itself fails. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technology are innovations that are being deployed across industries to reap benefits.

Technology has wiped out the manual way of storing files. Now files are stored in the cloud, which can be accessed at any time and from anywhere. With technology, companies can make quick decisions, act faster towards solutions, and remain adaptable. Technology has optimised the usage of resources and connected businesses worldwide. For example, if the customer is based in America, he can have the services delivered from India. They can communicate with each other in an instant. Every company uses business technology like virtual meeting tools, corporate social networks, tablets, and smart customer relationship management applications that accelerate the fast movement of data and information.

Technology in Education:

Technology is making the education industry improve over time. With technology, students and parents have a variety of learning tools at their fingertips. Teachers can coordinate with classrooms across the world and share their ideas and resources online. Students can get immediate access to an abundance of good information on the Internet. Teachers and students can access plenty of resources available on the web and utilise them for their project work, research, etc. Online learning has changed our perception of education. 

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a paradigm shift using technology where school-going kids continued their studies from home and schools facilitated imparting education by their teachers online from home. Students have learned and used 21st-century skills and tools, like virtual classrooms, AR (Augmented Reality), robots, etc. All these have increased communication and collaboration significantly. 

Technology in Banking:

Technology and banking are now inseparable. Technology has boosted digital transformation in how the banking industry works and has vastly improved banking services for their customers across the globe.

Technology has made banking operations very sophisticated and has reduced errors to almost nil, which were somewhat prevalent with manual human activities. Banks are adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to increase their efficiency and profits. With the emergence of Internet banking, self-service tools have replaced the traditional methods of banking. 

You can now access your money, handle transactions like paying bills, money transfers, and online purchases from merchants, and monitor your bank statements anytime and from anywhere in the world. Technology has made banking more secure and safe. You do not need to carry cash in your pocket or wallet; the payments can be made digitally using e-wallets. Mobile banking, banking apps, and cybersecurity are changing the face of the banking industry.

Manufacturing and Production Industry Automation:

At present, manufacturing industries are using all the latest technologies, ranging from big data analytics to artificial intelligence. Big data, ARVR (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality), and IoT (Internet of Things) are the biggest manufacturing industry players. Automation has increased the level of productivity in various fields. It has reduced labour costs, increased efficiency, and reduced the cost of production.

For example, 3D printing is used to design and develop prototypes in the automobile industry. Repetitive work is being done easily with the help of robots without any waste of time. This has also reduced the cost of the products. 

Technology in the Healthcare Industry:

Technological advancements in the healthcare industry have not only improved our personal quality of life and longevity; they have also improved the lives of many medical professionals and students who are training to become medical experts. It has allowed much faster access to the medical records of each patient. 

The Internet has drastically transformed patients' and doctors’ relationships. Everyone can stay up to date on the latest medical discoveries, share treatment information, and offer one another support when dealing with medical issues. Modern technology has allowed us to contact doctors from the comfort of our homes. There are many sites and apps through which we can contact doctors and get medical help. 

Breakthrough innovations in surgery, artificial organs, brain implants, and networked sensors are examples of transformative developments in the healthcare industry. Hospitals use different tools and applications to perform their administrative tasks, using digital marketing to promote their services.

Technology in Agriculture:

Today, farmers work very differently than they would have decades ago. Data analytics and robotics have built a productive food system. Digital innovations are being used for plant breeding and harvesting equipment. Software and mobile devices are helping farmers harvest better. With various data and information available to farmers, they can make better-informed decisions, for example, tracking the amount of carbon stored in soil and helping with climate change.

Disadvantages of Technology:

People have become dependent on various gadgets and machines, resulting in a lack of physical activity and tempting people to lead an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Even though technology has increased the productivity of individuals, organisations, and the nation, it has not increased the efficiency of machines. Machines cannot plan and think beyond the instructions that are fed into their system. Technology alone is not enough for progress and prosperity. Management is required, and management is a human act. Technology is largely dependent on human intervention. 

Computers and smartphones have led to an increase in social isolation. Young children are spending more time surfing the internet, playing games, and ignoring their real lives. Usage of technology is also resulting in job losses and distracting students from learning. Technology has been a reason for the production of weapons of destruction.

Dependency on technology is also increasing privacy concerns and cyber crimes, giving way to hackers.

FAQs on Technology Essay

1. What is technology?

Technology refers to innovative ways of doing work through various smart means. The advancement of technology has played an important role in the development of human civilization. It has helped in improving the productivity of individuals and businesses.

2. How has technology changed the face of banking?

Technology has made banking operations very sophisticated. With the emergence of Internet banking, self-service tools have replaced the traditional methods of banking. You can now access your money, handle transactions, and monitor your bank statements anytime and from anywhere in the world. Technology has made banking more secure and safe.

3. How has technology brought a revolution in the medical field?

Patients and doctors keep each other up to date on the most recent medical discoveries, share treatment information, and offer each other support when dealing with medical issues. It has allowed much faster access to the medical records of each patient. Modern technology has allowed us to contact doctors from the comfort of our homes. There are many websites and mobile apps through which we can contact doctors and get medical help.

4. Are we dependent on technology?

Yes, today, we are becoming increasingly dependent on technology. Computers, smartphones, and modern technology have helped humanity achieve success and progress. However, in hindsight, people need to continuously build a healthy lifestyle, sorting out personal problems that arise due to technological advancements in different aspects of human life.

• Essay On Technology

Essay on Technology

500+ words essay on technology.

The word technology comes from the two Greek words, ‘techne’ and ‘logos’. Techne means art, skills, or craft, and Logos means a word, saying, or expression that expresses inward thought. Thus, technology means the skill to convey an idea to reach a goal. But nowadays, the term technology mainly signifies the knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems, and organisation methods to solve a problem. Today, technological advancement has provided the human race with the ability to control and adapt to their natural environment. In this Essay on Technology, students will know the importance of technology, its advantages and disadvantages and the future of technology.

How Has Technology Changed Our Lives?

Various innovations and development took place in the field of technology which has made a significant impact on our lives in different ways. With the invention of technology, we become more powerful. We have the ability to transform the environment, extend our lifetime, create big and interconnected societies and even explore various new things about the universe. Today, we use technology from morning to evening, from the simplest nail cutter to television and personal laptop. Technology has touched all aspects of our lives, whether it is mobile phones, kettles, kitchen microwaves, electric cookers, television, water heaters, remote control, fridge, and other larger communication systems such as internet facilities, railways, air routes, and so on. Thus, technology plays an extremely crucial role in the lives of human beings.

Advantages of Technology

The advancement in technology has made our lives easier, more comfortable and enjoyable. It has reduced the effort and time required to complete a task, thus enhancing the quality and efficiency of work. Technology has become a part of our life and benefited us in many ways. Today, we can communicate with people living in any city or country. Communication has become much faster and easier as we are just a click away from people. In education, technology has played a vital role, especially during the COVID-19 breakdown period. It has brought virtual and online classes for students and teachers across the globe to share knowledge, ideas and resources online. Moreover, technology has made it easier for students to understand complex concepts with the help of virtualisation, graphics, 3D animation and diagrams.

Technology is considered to be the driving force behind improvements in the medical and healthcare field. Modern machines have helped doctors to perform operations successfully. Due to technology, the lifespan of the common person has increased. There are many more sectors, such as banking, automation, automobile, and various industries, where technology is making significant changes and helping us.

Disadvantages of Technology

Although we have so many advantages of technology, there are also disadvantages. Robots and machines have taken over the job of many people. Instead of bringing people together, technology has made them socially isolated. People now spend most of their time on smartphones or computers rather than interacting with other people. Technology in education has reduced the intellectual and analytical ability of students. It is like spoon-feeding to students as they don’t have the reasoning and aptitude skills to think differently. Technology has raised the issue of internet privacy. So, one has to be very careful while using banking passwords to make online transactions.

Future of Technology

The future of technology seems to be exciting but also scary. Futuristic predictions in technology can dish out some exciting or scary visions for the future of machines and science. Technology will either enhance or replace the products and activities that are near and dear to us. The answer to our technological dilemma about what will be the upcoming technological innovation in the future is not surprising. In the past, technology was mainly focused on retaining more information and efficient processing, but in the future, it will be based on industrial robots, artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.

Technology alone cannot help in building a better world. The collateral collaboration of machines and human effort is required for the progress and prosperity of the nation. We need to develop a more robust management system for the efficient functioning of technology.

Practise CBSE Essays on more topics to improve the writing section. Students can get the latest updates on CBSE/ICSE/State Board/Competitive Exams at BYJU’S website. They can also download the BYJU’S App for interactive study videos.

Frequently Asked Questions on Technology Essay

What is the simple definition of technology.

The real-time application of science and knowledge is how technology can be defined in simple terms.

Which country is ranked first in technological advancement?

Finland ranks top in technological advancement ahead of the USA according to the UNDP.

Why is the development of technology important?

Technology has now become an important part of our lives and thus technical and technological advancements are essential to take us forward in all aspects.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

• Search Menu
• Sign in through your institution
• Conflict, Security, and Defence
• East Asia and Pacific
• Energy and Environment
• Global Health and Development
• International History
• International Governance, Law, and Ethics
• International Relations Theory
• Middle East and North Africa
• Political Economy and Economics
• Russia and Eurasia
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Advance Articles
• Editor's Choice
• Special Issues
• Virtual Issues
• Reading Lists
• Archive Collections
• Book Reviews
• Author Guidelines
• Submission Site
• Open Access
• Self-Archiving Policy
• About International Affairs
• About Chatham House
• Editorial Board
• Advertising & Corporate Services
• Journals Career Network
• Journals on Oxford Academic
• Books on Oxford Academic

Article Contents

Reconceptualizing war: the rise of post-modern war, 1945–1989, the persistence of post-modern war after the cold war, post-modern war and the future of the state.

• < Previous

Technology, war and the state: past, present and future

This article is part of a special issue of International Affairs (July 2019) on ‘Re-visioning war and the state in the twenty-first century’, guest-edited by Tracey German.

• Article contents
• Figures & tables
• Supplementary Data

Warren Chin, Technology, war and the state: past, present and future, International Affairs , Volume 95, Issue 4, July 2019, Pages 765–783, https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiz106

• Permissions Icon Permissions

War made the state, and the state made war, but does this statement hold true today? Will it apply in the future? The consensus is that the absence of major war within the western world, post 1945, did cause the war–state relationship to change, but each became significantly less important to the other. This article argues that the relationship was closer and deeper than has been assumed. It proposes that the peculiar strategic conditions created by the nuclear age caused states to wage a ritualistic style of war, in which demonstration rather than the physical application of violence became increasingly important. Within this setting, the state drove the process of technological innovation in defence to its limits in an effort to demonstrate its military superiority. This massive peacetime investment in defence technology exerted a huge impact on the character of war, which led to new strategic forms. However, most importantly, the diffusion of military technology also affected the wider economy and society, leading to a form of internal power transition within states. The author speculates on how these elemental forces will play out in the future, what will happen to war and the state, and whether we will reach a point where war leads to the unmaking of the state.

This article explores the changing relationship between war and the state in the western world since the end of the Second World War. Specifically, it analyses how that relationship evolved during and after the Cold War, and extrapolates from current trends to speculate what impact war will have on the future evolution of the state. Our understanding of the connection between war and the state assumes that war played an instrumental role in the formation of the state in the early modern period. The synergistic relationship established at that time then blossomed over the next four centuries, during which both state and war grew exponentially. However, this expansion was checked by the declining incidence and scale of interstate war after 1945, which eventually allowed new political and economic priorities to emerge that resulted in the reshaping of, and a changed role for, the state. 1

The article presents an alternative view of the war–state relationship in the post-Second World War era. It does not challenge the logic that the decline in war affected the war–state connection. 2 However, it does not see this change as evidence of atrophy. Instead, it demonstrates how the complexity of war after 1945 led to a deep but more subtle interaction, which had a profound effect on war, the state and society in the western world. While I do not challenge the premise that a range of factors played a role in shaping the connection between war and the state, the precise interaction and relative importance of these forces have altered over time, and this has caused the demands of war on the state to shift in significant ways. In the period under scrutiny in this article, I argue that the role of technology in war increased dramatically because of the nuclear revolution. In this setting, technological development reduced the opportunities for war, but the arms race it generated also brought into being new technologies, and these facilitated new forms of conflict. These developments affected our understanding of war's character and its interaction with the state.

Military history provides a rich literature on war and technology, but its focus has tended to be on the importance of technology in helping militaries win wars. 3 In rarer cases, writers have sought to situate war within a broader technological, economic, social and cultural framework. 4 This is where the principal focus of the present article lies. However, my aim is to turn this domain upside down and explore not just how the world has changed (and continues to change) war, but how the war–technology dynamic has changed the world, in what might be described as a form of positive feedback. To this end, I expand and build on the historical overview presented by William McNeill and Maurice Pearton of the financial and technical linkages forged between war and the state starting in the late nineteenth century. 5 This provides a conceptual framework within which to explore how that relationship evolved and how it might change in the future. Most importantly, this construct allows the contemporary war–state relationship to be viewed through a different lens, one that sees a stronger, darker and more damaging connection than is generally recognized.

In addressing this issue, I have relied on the experiences of the United States and United Kingdom, as representative examples of western states, to support the propositions set out here. Most importantly, in both cases the state played a leading role in promoting defence research after 1945; technology was of central importance in their strategic frameworks, and continues to be so today. Second, both states consciously exploited defence technology to promote wider economic prosperity. I recognize that attempts to look into the future carry a great deal of risk. I am aware of this risk and explain below how I have taken it into account. The only general point I would make here is that history also shows that, sometimes, military forecasting is successful. I have looked at these examples and drawn on their methodologies.

In sum, the central argument of this article is that, after 1945, technology acted as a vital agent of change in the war–state relationship, and eventually the ripples of this change spread throughout society. To illustrate this point, you have only to look at the ubiquitous smartphone and the genesis of technologies produced by defence research that made it possible. This capability has in turn affected the conduct of war; and this has affected the state. Thus the smartphone provides just one significant example of how technology and war are shaping the state and the world we live in. 6

The article is divided into three parts. The first explores the war–state relationship and the factors that shaped it during the Cold War. It explains why technological innovation became so important in war, and how this imperative influenced both our understanding of war and the interaction between war and the state. The second section examines why the imperative for technological innovation persisted, and why the war–state infrastructure survived in the post-Cold War era. Finally, the third section explores how current trends might influence the war–state relationship in the future.

Clausewitz missed the importance of technology as a variable in his analysis of war. 7 Tilly, one of the most critical commentators on the war–state relationship, was also sceptical about the importance of technology in this process, and focused instead on the economics of waging war. 8 The omission is understandable, because the history of war is characterized by long phases of technological stagnation punctuated by occasional spasms of revolutionary change caused by a variety of forces. 9 This point is illustrated by a cursory glance at naval technology, which shows that ship design and armaments in Europe remained largely unchanged from 1560 to 1850. 10 However, I contend that the importance of technology increased dramatically in the conduct of war from the nineteenth century onwards, for three reasons. The first was the impact of the Industrial Revolution. This period of sustained and rapid technological innovation eventually affected all areas of human activity, including war. Evidence of the increased pace in technological change can be seen from Schumpeter's economic analysis of capitalism and its relationship to technology. In his view, four long economic cycles in the Industrial Revolution led to ground-breaking changes in the mode of production in little more than a hundred years. 11 At the microeconomic level, Schumpeter also challenged economic orthodoxy by arguing that capitalism was based not on price competitiveness but on innovation, via the creation of ‘the new commodity, the new technology, the new source of supply, the new type of organisation’. Schumpeter called this the process of ‘creative destruction’ as firms seek to innovate to achieve a position of monopoly and thereby maximize profits until that advantage is cancelled out by the next innovation. 12

During this time, the technological needs of the armed forces ‘were met out of the same scientific and technical knowledge that manufacturing industry had put to use in satisfying its commercial needs’. 13 As such, wider forces fed into the realm of war. However, this situation slowly changed such that the demands for military technology eventually shaped the wider context in which it existed—which brings us to the second reason why the importance of technology increased. O'Neill demonstrates how the state began to assume a role as a sponsor of technological innovation in defence in the late nineteenth century as the military became increasingly interested in the exploitation of technology. Such state sponsorship of innovation was termed ‘command technology’. 14 However, as Hartcup observed, this process of innovation operated within military, fiscal and time constraints that imposed a limit on the ambition of defence research. 15 In general, mass industrialized war in the twentieth century emphasized quantity more than quality, and required the mobilization of society and the economy via the state. The demands of war also resulted in the state expanding into the provision of education and health care to ensure the population was fit to wage war. Even liberal Britain succumbed to this view of the state. 16 These features eventually became the defining characteristics of what Hables Gray called ‘modern war’. 17

The advent of the nuclear age precipitated a profound change in the organization and conduct of war. Hables Gray asserts that 1945 marks the dividing line between modern war and the birth of what he terms post-modern war. 18 This philosophical construct is used as intended by post-modernism, not as a label, but as a way of indicating that war, like many forms of human activity, is a discourse. 19 That discourse changed profoundly after 1945 because at that point scientific advance, in the form of nuclear weapons, made modern war impossible. This new strategic setting precipitated what Holsti described as the diversification of warfare; and this in turn resulted in a blurring of the line between peace and war as governments employed a range of means to achieve their policy goals below the threshold of general war. Most importantly, the forms of war proliferated as new ways were devised to employ war as a political tool in a nuclear world. 20 This change did not render Clausewitz's concept of war obsolete, but it did require it to be adapted. 21

Clausewitz explained that ‘war is an act of violence to compel our opponent to fulfil our will’. 22 War is also the continuation of policy by other means. 23 War, then, is defined as a discourse of physical violence to achieve a political goal. However, in examining the post-1945 war–state relationship in the West, we need to revise our understanding of war so that it extends beyond physical violence and bloodshed. Russian military reflections on the Cold War reveal an interesting narrative that reinforces this expansion of war beyond its traditional domain. According to this analysis, the Soviet Union lost the Cold War because it was defeated by non-military means employed by its enemy that focused on psychological, political, information, social and economic attacks against the Soviet state. 24 Although this interpretation can be contested, it is important to acknowledge that states used both military and non-military levers to confront their enemies in this conflict. Technology played a vital role in facilitating this process, for example via the communications revolution, which facilitated the waging of activities such as political warfare. However, the most salient aspect of the Cold War was the discourse of deterrence. Within this context, the rituals of war in terms of organizing, preparing and demonstrating an ability to fight nuclear war in the hope of deterring potential opponents and thereby preventing the possibility of war became substitutes for organized violence. Small wars happened on the periphery of the US and Soviet geopolitical space, but in the core region, a different kind of cognitive and cultural violence emerged, which can be seen as a form of war. 25

How, then, did technology fit into this new discourse of war? According to Buzan, because nuclear deterrence relied on anticipated weapons performance, it became sensitive to technical innovation, which meant the state had to respond to technological change by investing in defence research to maintain the credibility of its deterrent. 26 As a result, a premium came to be placed on technological innovation in defence, and this caused the role of the state in military research to expand. 27 Consequently, states came to play an essential part in a military version of Schumpeter's process of creative destruction, albeit in the realm of defence. The role of the state was vital because it was the state that provided the critical financial resources required to take embryonic technologies and develop them at a speed unlikely to be matched by the civilian market. This facilitated a profound change in the relationship between the state and private industry and undermined the operation of the free market as governments opted to support defence contractors capable of conducting large and complex forms of research and development (R&D). 28 This trend did not go unnoticed; in 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower warned against the pernicious influence exerted by the creation of a military–industrial complex (MIC), a construct which referred to the incestuous relationship between the military, defence industries and politicians acting in concert as an interest group to persuade the state to spend more on defence. 29 Harold Laswell also noted the rising prominence of the military in peacetime in his thesis of the ‘garrison state’, which described the potential militarization of the American polity. 30 Samuel Huntington echoed this concern in his book The soldier and the state , which considered how the United States could manage an immense military establishment in a time of peace without jeopardizing the sanctity of its democracy. 31 These debates and themes waxed and waned as the Cold War progressed, but they persisted, and even in the 1980s the notion of the MIC was still being discussed. 32 The strategic logic of nuclear deterrence created a climate which justified high defence spending and significant investment in defence research—but why did this infrastructure persist in the more benign environment of the post-Cold War world?

The end of the Cold War resulted in a significant fall in defence expenditure. Equally importantly, the state reduced its participation in sustaining defence research and allowed the private sector to play a more prominent role in defence production. In the UK, where the nationalized defence industries had already been privatized in the 1980s, this process was extended to include the sale of the state's defence research and development arm. This change in industrial and technological policy reflected a broader adjustment as the state lost its position in the vanguard of the technological revolution. Since the start of the Cold War, US government-funded defence research had given rise to technologies such as the internet, virtual reality, jet travel, data joining, closed-circuit TV, global positioning, rocketry, remote control, microwaves, radar, global positioning, networked computers, wireless communications and satellite surveillance. 33 The subsequent exploitation of these technologies by the private sector reflected a conscious policy choice by most western governments, which was to promote technology spinoffs from defence research into the wider economy as a way of generating wealth creation. 34 Once the technology had been created, the civil, commercial sector proved adept at adapting and changing the new capabilities. The critical difference between innovation in the defence market and its civilian counterpart was that, in the latter, high rates of consumption led to product and process innovation by companies. As a result, civil technology providers increasingly took the lead in the information revolution. Given this new dynamism, military power relied increasingly on the existing pool of technological knowledge within the broader economy. The increasing emphasis on quality in war also generated greater complexity during operations. This trend facilitated the rise of private military companies in the post-Cold War era and resulted in western states increasingly subcontracting the provision of internal and external security to the private sector. 35

However, in spite of the end of the Cold War, western governments continued to have an appetite for technological innovation and its integration into ever more complex weapons. Indeed, an important feature of post-modern war was that machines assumed an unprecedented importance in the post-Cold War era. As Hables Gray explained: ‘War is a discourse system, but each type of war has different rules of discourse. In postmodern war, the central role of human bodies in war is being eclipsed rhetorically by the growing importance of machines.’ 36

The First Gulf War was an important marker because it revealed to western society the power of technology, at least in a conventional war. As Freedman observed, this conflict resolved the high-tech versus low-tech debate which had persisted throughout the Cold War. 37 Observers now spoke of a paradigm shift in the conduct of war and a revolution in military affairs (RMA) caused by technological advance in computers and communications. 38 Paradoxically, cuts in defence spending and provision compounded the drive to rely on technology in war as smaller militaries sought to pack a bigger punch to compensate for their lack of mass. 39 In the 1990s, the RMA served another purpose in that it allowed for the creation of what Shaw described as ‘risk-free’ war. Technology allowed western states to engage targets at long range with high accuracy, but at no risk to those firing the weapons—something that became very useful in an era of wars of choice. 40 Perhaps the best example of the strengths and weaknesses of this approach was NATO's 78-day bombing campaign against Serbia in 1999. 41

Technological innovation in the techniques of war allowed the state to continue using force as an instrument of policy, especially in those instances where there was no clear political consensus on taking military action. In sum, the state continued to see its security through the prism of technological advance; and this, in turn, helped to sustain the MIC in that brief period between the end of the Cold War and the start of the ‘war on terror’. The idea of an MIC persists today. For example, David Keen points to the powerful economic functions fulfilled by the war on terror, which he believed explained the persistence of a war based on counterproductive strategy and tactics. 42 More recently, Paul Rogers has referred to the creation of a military–industrial academic–bureaucratic complex, which is exploiting the latest iteration of the war on terror: the war against the so-called ‘Islamic State in Iraq and Syria’ (ISIS). 43 While the technology paradigm was briefly challenged in Iraq in 2006 and replaced by a more labour-intensive approach to war, as articulated in the principles of counter-insurgency, this, in turn, was quickly replaced by less risky, more capital-intensive techniques of war waged with satellites, robots, drones, precision weaponry and special forces. 44 In summary, the elaborate infrastructure of war created during the Cold War endured in the post-Cold War era before being reinvigorated by the fiscal stimulus generated by the war on terror. During this period technology was viewed almost as a silver bullet. As such, it provided a neat answer to complex questions posed by the human and physical terrain of war. Most importantly, for a brief moment at least, it allowed western states to reimagine decisive victories and tidy peace settlements. 45 Such was the allure of technology that Coker speculated on the possibility of a future ‘post-human warfare’ in which machines replaced humanity on the battlefield. 46

How, then, will predicted developments in technology shape the future of war and the state? This is a question that is causing much anxiety in both academic and policy-making circles. As Freedman points out, the future is based on decisions that have yet to be made in circumstances that remain unclear to those looking into a crystal ball. 47 Just as important as this uncertainty are those biases that shape our preferences regarding how we see the future. Cohen has pointed out that debates on the future of war often suffer from being technologically sanitized, ignoring politics and therefore lacking a meaningful context. 48 As a result, the ‘future war’ literature often suffers from an overreliance on a simplistic overview of decisive military technologies. I address these problems in two ways.

The first is to follow the advice offered by the sociologist Michael Mann, who observed that no one could accurately predict the future of large-scale power structures like the state; the most one can do is provide alternative scenarios of what might happen given different conditions, and in some cases to arrange them in order of probability. 49 The UK's Concepts and Doctrine Centre adopted this approach and set out multiple scenarios to support its analysis of future strategic trends. 50 Second, it is essential to widen the lens through which the future is projected and to understand the political context within which technology, war and the state will all be situated. To this end, I adopt here the Clausewitzian framework of analysis which Colin Gray employed in considering future war. As he explains:

Future warfare can be approached in the light of the vital distinction drawn by Clausewitz, between war's ‘grammar’ and its policy ‘logic’. Both avenues must be travelled here. Future warfare viewed as grammar requires us to probe probable and possible developments in military science, with reference to how war actually could be waged. From the perspective of policy logic we need to explore official motivations to fight. 51

In exploring the future relationship between war and the state, and the role played by technology, two possible visions are presented here. The first explores the continuation of the status quo and represents the default setting of both the UK and US governments with regard to the future. The second follows the recommendation offered by Paul Davis, who advised when selecting a scenario to choose a vision that challenges and provokes controversy and that breaks out of orthodox thinking. 52

Both models have one thing in common: they will be influenced by what might be seen as the next wave of technological change. This latest technical convulsion is illustrated by Schwab's idea of the fourth Industrial Revolution, which is a crude facsimile of Schumpeter's theory of long economic cycles. The fourth Industrial Revolution builds on the digital revolution, which began in the 1960s, but differs from it in that it entails ‘a much more ubiquitous and mobile internet, … smaller and more powerful sensors that have become cheaper, and … powerful artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning’. 53 The term ‘artificial intelligence’ was first used by the American scientist John McCarthy in 1956. According to his definition, AI is merely the development of computer systems to perform tasks that generally need human intelligence, such as speech recognition, visual perception and decision-making. More recently, Max Tegmark has defined AI as a non-biological intelligence possessing the capability to accomplish any complex task at least as well as humans. 54 Currently, the exponential rise of AI is being driven by three developments in the world of computing: smarter algorithms, a vast increase in computing power and an ability to process vast quantities of data. 55 What this means is that humans are now being challenged by machines in the cognitive as well as the physical domains of work. Digital technologies that have computer hardware, software and networks at their core are not new, but represent a break with the third Industrial Revolution because of the level of sophistication and integration within and between them. These technologies are transforming societies and the global economy.

The fourth Industrial Revolution is not only about smart and connected machines and systems. It is linked with other areas of scientific innovation ranging from gene sequencing to nanotech and from renewables to computing. It is the fusion of these technologies and their interaction across the physical, digital and biological domains that make the fourth Industrial Revolution fundamentally different from previous epochs. Emerging technologies and broad-based innovations are diffusing much more quickly and more widely than their predecessors, which continue to unfold in some parts of the world. It took the spindle, the hallmark of the first Industrial Revolution, 120 years to spread outside Europe; by contrast, the internet permeated the globe in less than a decade. 56 In sum, it is not one specific technology but the sheer number of technologies and the interaction between them that is creating change on such an unprecedented scale that Schwab believes it can be described as a revolution. What, then, does this mean for the relationship between war and the state?

The first model of the future adopts a ‘business as normal’ scenario. In this version of the future, the policy logic of war remains focused on the security of the state and concentrates on state-based threats. The principal causes of war can be identified in the anarchy of the international system. 57 The state preserves its monopoly on the use of force because the barriers to entry into the weapons market remain high. In addition, the state continues to function effectively and to be able to extract the resources needed to maintain its legitimacy and territorial integrity. Within this context, the state still pursues the development of advanced technologies to defend against mostly state-based threats. In this scenario, future war is imagined as a symmetrical contest between conventional forces on an increasingly automated battlefield. Within this space, humans will be augmented and in some instances replaced by AI and robots contending with increasingly lethal forms of weaponry. 58

In this vision of the future, the military's pursuit of the next technology follows a familiar pattern, and the risk and uncertainty involved continue to make state finance and policy support indispensable to defence research. The most recent example of this activity is the UK government's promise to share with British Aerospace the cost of funding the development of a technology demonstrator for the next generation of fighter aircraft. Named Tempest, this fighter can operate either as a manned or as an unmanned aircraft; it will rely on AI and employ directed energy weapons. 59 A grander example of the status quo scenario is the American-led ‘Third Offset’ strategy, a programme designed to preserve America's military-technological superiority. At the core of the Third Offset is the intention to exploit advances in machine autonomy, AI, quantum computing and enhanced digital communications to improve the man–machine interface in the future battlespace. 60 The United States is investing US$18 billion in the creation of these capabilities, even though it is not clear how feasible the development of technologies such as AI will be. 61

It is important to note that non-western states are also pursuing these policies. The outstanding example here is China. Its economic model, which is based on state-sponsored capitalism, is enabling it to work in a close partnership with privately owned Chinese tech firms to achieve a broad-based technological self-sufficiency in both commerce and defence. 62 Investment in research and development has grown by 20 per cent per year since 1999 to the point where China now spends US$233 billion per annum, a sum that accounts for 20 per cent of the world's research and development spending. 63 Three technologies, it is claimed, matter most to China, and all three relate to its ability to control the internet. These are semiconductors, quantum computing and AI. 64 In 2017, China accounted for 48 per cent of all AI venture funding, and the Beijing government aims to be the centre of global innovation in AI by 2030. 65

In this scenario, then, the state can harvest and refine a range of new technologies generated by the private rather than the public sector in a manner that preserves its monopoly on the use of force. At the same time, that monopoly is reinforced because of the complexity of these capabilities and the challenges posed in their use on operations, which require well-trained and professional forces. Private military companies will persist, but their existence will rely on their ability to draw on this pool of trained personnel created by the state to populate their organizations, which means they will support, not challenge, the state's role as a provider of security.

In the second scenario of the future, the policy logic of war reflects a darker, dystopian image of the relationship between war and the state. In this setting, conflict is a product of desperation caused by scarcity, which is occurring on a global scale. Most importantly, the causes of war lie within states as well as between them. In this multifaceted crisis, technological change is weakening rather than strengthening the state and undermining its ability to cope with the tsunami of problems sweeping over it. The debate over this view of the future policy logic of war began in 1972 with the publication of a hugely controversial book called The limits to growth . 66 This study explored the impact of population growth, industrialization, pollution, and resource and agricultural shortages on the global economic system. Its principal conclusion was that population growth would create an insatiable demand for goods, outstripping the finite resource base of the planet. Humanity's efforts to address this imbalance in demand and supply by increasing productivity would be self-defeating and cause a host of environmental problems. In spite of the passage of time since its first appearance, this book set out themes that are explicitly linked to the spectrum of security issues we face today. 67 Moreover, a recent study conducted by Melbourne University in 2014 claimed that the world might still be moving along the trajectory mapped out in 1972, and that economic and environmental collapse could happen before 2070. 68

There is a general assumption that the worst effects of these environmental trends will be for the most part experienced outside the western world. Even when western states are affected, it is assumed, rich countries will possess the financial means to weather this future storm. However, a recent report by Laybourn-Langton and colleagues challenges this simplistic assumption and points to the social and economic harm being caused globally by current forms of human-induced environmental change. These authors also demonstrate that no region of the world will be untouched by this phenomenon, and use the UK as a case-study to illustrate the point. In their view, the degradation of the environment will interact with existing political and economic trends to undermine the cohesion and internal stability of states across the globe. 69 Interestingly, the report's analysis of the challenges facing governments has not been contested, although their proposed solutions in terms of radical economic reform have been strongly challenged by economists. 70

Current trends suggest that a potential environmental crisis might run in parallel with a possible economic crisis. Ironically, the source of this predicament lies in potential problems generated by the fourth Industrial Revolution. Like the military, business is also fast approaching a time when machine intelligence can perform many of the functions hitherto carried out by humans in a range of occupations. As McAfee and Brynjolfson explain, innovation was hugely advantageous in those occupations which relied on physical labour, allowing new forms of economic activity and employment based on human cognitive abilities to develop. 71 However, this cognitive comparative advantage is now under threat, as computer algorithms have reached a point where they can outperform humans in many jobs. 72

As in the military domain, so in our economic and political affairs it is predicted that AI will precipitate a revolution. A PriceWaterhouseCooper report predicted that 38 per cent of all jobs in the United States are at high risk of automation by the early 2030s. 73 Most of these are routine occupations such as those of forklift drivers, factory workers and cashiers in retail and other service industries. This depressing analysis is supported by the Bank of England's estimate that up to 15 million jobs are at risk in the UK from increasingly sophisticated robots, and that their loss will serve to widen the gap between rich and poor. 74 Most worrying is the fact that, in the short term, the jobs most at risk are low-paid and low-skilled occupations, which are precisely the jobs the UK and US economies have been so successful in generating to create record levels of employment since the financial crash in 2008.

As in the past, those most affected by this change will be the economically least powerful sectors of society—the old, and unskilled and unorganized labour. Until now, the managerial and professional classes have been able to use their economic and political positions to protect themselves from the worst effects of such crises. 75 The big difference about this revolution is that AI is threatening traditional professional middle-class occupations. Any job that can be done via the application of pattern-searching algorithms will be vulnerable. This includes banking and finance, the law and even education. Daniela Russ has argued that humans need the personal touch in their day-to-day lives and that humans are therefore guaranteed to have a place in the job market. 76 Sadly, Harari challenges even this view, and claims machines can mimic empathy by monitoring blood pressure and other physical indicators in interactions between AI and humans. 77 A recent report by the Wall Street Journal supports this view. In their investigation of the use of AI in the provision of psychological therapy, they found people preferred the treatment offered by the AI precisely because it was a machine and so they did not feel judged. The system can also be configured to fit people's preferences, creating a 3D computer-generated image that is comforting and reassuring. 78

A significant limitation of AI and machine technology is that currently they cannot replicate the dexterity of humans in handling delicate objects, and this does leave a role for humans in the workplace. However, scientists in California are looking at the use of AI and machine technology as a way of addressing the acute labour shortages experienced in the fruit-picking industry; this includes the development of machines capable of deciding which fruit is ripe for picking, and doing so in a way that does not damage the produce during picking, processing or distribution. Given these developments, Harari's prediction for humans in the workplace is bleak. ‘In the twenty-first century we might witness the creation of a massive new unworking class: people devoid of any economic, political or even artistic value, who contribute nothing to the prosperity, power and glory of society.’ 79 The mass unemployment generated would be on an unprecedented scale and likely to precipitate instability and violence. 80

Further evidence to support the depressing scenario depicted here is provided by the former head of Google China, Dr Kai-Fu Lee, a man with decades of experience in the world of AI. In his view, AI ‘will wipe out billions of jobs up and down the economic ladder’. 81 A typical counter to this view is that AI will lead to the creation of new jobs and new careers; but, as Tegmark explains, the evidence does not support this claim. If we look back over the last century, what is clear is that ‘the vast majority of today's occupations predate the computer revolution. Most importantly, the new jobs created by computers did not generate a massive number of jobs.’ 82

What then are the political and security implications of this profound economic change in terms of war and the state? Although depressing, the scenario depicted above does not mean we are condemned to what Martin Wolf describes as a kind of ‘technological feudalism’. 83 As Gurr points out, past economic crises have provided political incentives for social reforms: for example, the New Deal in the United States, which represented a revolutionary change in how central government sought to manage the economy. 84

According to Wolf, three factors might determine how well the state deals with these challenges: first, the speed and severity of the transformation we are about to experience; second, whether the problem is temporary or likely to endure; and third, whether the resources are available to the state to mitigate the worst effects of these changes. In the past, western governments have deployed a range of policies to deal with recessions or, as in the 1970s, scarcity of resources such as oil. However, these macroeconomic policy responses operated on the assumption that such crises were temporary, and that economic growth would resume and normality be restored quickly if the right measures were in place. In contrast, the environmental crisis and the AI revolution are happening rapidly and both will be enduring features of economic and political life. In Wolf's view, this latest revolution will require a radical change in our attitude towards work and leisure, with the emphasis on the latter. He also believes we will need to redistribute wealth on a large scale. In the absence of work, the government might resort to providing a basic income for every adult, together with funds for education and training. The revenue to fund such a scheme could come from tax increases on pollution and other socially negative behaviours. In addition, intellectual property, which will become an important source of wealth, could also be taxed. 85

However, the introduction of these measures will not necessarily prevent a rise in politically motivated violence. As Gurr explains, recourse to political violence is caused primarily not by poverty but by relative deprivation. This is defined as ‘actors’ perception of discrepancy between their value expectations and their environment's apparent value capabilities'. 86 As such, it reflects the difference between what people believe they are legitimately entitled to and what they achieve, perceptions of which have become acute in the age of the smartphone. Relative deprivation applies to both the individual and the group. Seen in this light, the bright, shiny new world created by AI provides a potentially rich environment for relative deprivation—particularly if large swathes of the middle classes are frustrated in their ambitions and suffer a loss of status as a socio-economic group. 87 More worrying is that this technological and economic revolution will coincide with the global deterioration of the environment set out above, which also challenges the state.

Within this scenario, states in the western world will struggle just as much as states in the developing world. If the legitimacy of the state is measured in terms of its capacity to effectively administer a territory under its control, then the political context set out here poses a significant threat to this institution. The extraction of resources through taxation will prove extremely difficult as the tax base shrinks. This will affect the ability of the state to provide the public goods the population expects and requires. A weaker state, which lacks the resources and capacity to sustain the population, will also lack legitimacy; this could cause the social contract to break down and result in widespread violence. What, then, will the future grammar of war look like in this political and social context?

In this version of the future, the most fundamental aspect of the technology–war interaction will be the challenge to the state's retention of the monopoly of violence. Projections about the end of the state's monopoly on the use of force have been made before, but the current trajectory of technological change is making this threat more plausible, and bringing it closer. 88 This speculative line of enquiry was given substance in 1999 by two colonels in the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Qiao Lang and Wang Xiangsui. Their study was conceived mainly within the context of a future war between the United States and China, and so their thinking was developed within the setting of a state-based conflict. However, their central thesis is relevant here because they believed the world was living in an unprecedented age in terms of the speed and breadth of technological innovation. There are, they argued, so many essential technologies emerging that it is difficult to predict how these will combine, or what the effect of these combinations might be in military and political terms. Developments in biotechnology, materials technology, nanotechnology and, of course, the information revolution are creating new opportunities and ways of attacking other states. 89 An important observation made in Unrestricted warfare is that new technologies, which could be used as weapons, are increasingly part of our normal day-to-day lives. 90 In sum, the colonels identified a range of non-military means that are technically outside the state's control and that might allow a weaker actor to fight and defeat their more powerful adversary. The 20 years that have passed since first publication of Unrestricted warfare have demonstrated the prescience of the authors in respect of what are deemed to be new types of conflict today. For example, what they called ‘superterrorism war’ seemed to come to fruition on 9/11. We can see how state and non-state actors have exploited emerging everyday technologies that challenge powerful nation-states. Of great importance is the way in which groups such as ISIS and revisionist powers such as Russia have weaponized social media in their efforts to weaken those who oppose them. ISIS, indeed, claimed that media weapons could be more potent than atomic bombs. 91

It is believed that Russia is increasingly relying on non-military means to challenge the West. Not surprisingly, evidence is mounting that it influenced the outcome of the 2016 US presidential election. 92 This form of activity is now a persistent feature of the conflict spectrum and is practised by a variety of states. 93 In August 2018, Facebook closed 652 fake accounts and pages with ties to Russian and Iranian state-based organizations. In both cases, the objective appears to have been to influence domestic politics in the UK, the US, the Middle East and Latin America. Four campaigns were identified, three of which originated in Iran. 94 With over 2 billion accounts to police on Facebook, it is feared this practice will persist.

It is not only because of the blurring of the distinction between military and civilian that more technology is becoming more accessible. Moises Naim points to the falling cost of many technologies used in both defence and the civilian sector, which is making them accessible to weak states and violent non-state actors. 95 An excellent example of this trend can be seen in the domain of synthetic biology, a new field that combines the power of computing and biology to ‘design and engineer new biological parts, devices and systems and redesign existing ones for other purposes’. 96 In 2003, the Human Genome Project completed the first full sequencing of human DNA. The successful completion of this project took ten years and was the result of work done in over 160 laboratories, involving several thousand scientists and costing several billion dollars. It is now possible to buy a DNA sequencing device for several thousand dollars and sequence a person's genome in less than twenty-four hours. So steeply, in fact, have sequencing costs fallen that the industry is no longer profitable in the developed world and is now primarily conducted within China. By way of example of the potential threat posed by this new science, in 2005 scientists, worried about the possibility of another flu pandemic, recreated the Spanish flu virus which during and after 1918 killed 50 million people in two years. In 2011, scientists employed these techniques to manipulate the H5N1 bird flu virus and create a variation which could be spread from the avian to the human species. It is feared the technical bar to entry into this domain is now sufficiently low that it can be exploited for nefarious purposes by individuals or groups. 97 Precisely the same fears have been expressed about the cyber domain. According to one Israeli general, ‘cyber power gives the little guys the kind of ability that used to be confined to superpowers’. 98 In the future, we might even be able to make weapons via 3D printers. In theory, it is possible to build a handgun or even an assault rifle with this technology.

However, before concluding that the state is about to wither away, we need to remember that these technologies are still maturing. Therefore, whether or not advances in the cyber domain will undermine or reinforce the power of the state remains a contested point. As Betz points out, launching a successful attack against another state via this medium can be very costly. The Stuxnet computer virus, which was used to attack Iran's nuclear programme, was a very sophisticated piece of software developed by a dedicated team of specialists over a long period. The successful insertion of this virus also required high-grade intelligence on the Iranian nuclear programme. Consequently, the success of a cyber attack depends on a combination of capabilities, not just the development of a virus, and at the moment this puts the state at a considerable advantage. 99 A similar point can be made in the case of 3D printing: you need to do more than just download the code to print the weapon. You also need access to complicated and expensive computer-aided design software and a high-quality metal 3D printer capable of using steel, aluminium or nickel. Such a machine costs over US$100,000, which is nearly 60 times the price of a standard 3D printer which uses plastic. The latter has been used to print plastic guns, but these proved unreliable and likely to explode in the user's hand. 100

Finally, technology will also allow the state to attempt to counter internal threats to its authority. Stephen Graham notes that a significant trend in the war on terror has been the blurring between civilian and military applications of technologies dealing with control, surveillance, communications, simulation and targeting. The capability to exercise control via technologies which are intended to provide a service, such as parking and congestion charging, has increased dramatically the opportunities to conduct electronic surveillance for a host of other purposes. 101

‘War made the state, and the state made war’ is a maxim that has shaped our historical understanding of this relationship. In the West, the general absence of major war since 1945 changed the war–state relationship, and there is now a consensus that each is significantly less important to the other. My aim in this article has been to provide a more nuanced understanding of the war–state relationship that emerged after 1945.

The existence of nuclear arsenals made total or modern war obsolete. Within this strategic setting a new form of war emerged. Post-modern war did not require the state to mobilize its entire population and economy to fight a life-or-death struggle against other states, largely because its principal focus was on devising ways to use military power to deter war or devising new means to attack the enemy's moral rather than its physical power. As a result, the logic of war transcended simple notions of battle and victory. War between the Great Powers and their allies tended to be confined to the grey zone between peace and open violence. However, the drive for technological innovation, caused by the peculiarities of the Cold War, ensured that war and the state remained strongly connected, as only the state had the capacity to stimulate research and development on the scale required to ensure the efficacy of strategic deterrence.

The drift towards more capital-intensive modes of warfare continued in the post-Cold War era. Technology gave western governments the internal independence to prosecute wars because they demanded little sacrifice from society. In a period characterized by a plethora of politically unpopular ‘wars of choice’, this allowed states to employ force in pursuit of even vague, value-based objectives. Most importantly, these new means of war enabled nuclear-armed states to continue fighting each other in the space between war and peace using both military and non-military means. We have seen evidence of this in Ukraine and in the South China Sea.

This corporatist alliance between the state and private industry had impacts on politics, the economy and society, but in ways that did not conform with recognized patterns of behaviour associated with modern war. This is possibly why the war–state relationship since 1945 is viewed in terms of decline. However, the persistent debate about the existence of the MIC, admittedly a crude construct, is evidence of the survival of the war–state relationship and of its wider impact. The clearest evidence of this can be seen in the role played by military research in causing and accelerating scientific invention, which has been instrumental in bringing about dramatic economic, political and social change in contemporary western society. Most important of all are the non-military means created by military research which are now being exploited by both state and non-state actors. As Graham explains, western scientific research has gone through a cycle from defence to the commercial world and back again:

Hence, technologies with military origins—refracted through the vast worlds of civilian research, development and application that help constitute high tech economies, societies and cultures—are now being reappropriated as the bases for new architectures of militarized control, tracking, surveillance, targeting and killing. 102

Looking to the future, the likelihood is that war will continue to have a significant impact on the state. Commentators today note with concern the ways in which technology is undermining the state's monopoly on the use of force as the technical and fiscal barriers to weapons production fall. However, capability should not be equated with intent, and people rarely decide to initiate violence without cause. For this reason, it is important to reflect on the political context, which will provide the policy logic for war in the future. The most important potential effect of projected technological change is transformation of the means of production, which could trigger huge economic and political turmoil in the West. If the fourth Industrial Revolution proves to be as disruptive as is predicted, this will lead to increased instability and possibly violence. These developments will weaken the state and damage its legitimacy as it struggles to fulfil the needs of its population. Western states may be able to deal with this transformation; but if it coincides with the predicted deterioration in the global environment, the institution of the state will struggle to bear the combined weight of the demands imposed on it. Under these circumstances, civil conflict might result. The irony here is that the technological preparation for war after 1945 sowed the seeds of the state's demise, playing an important role in creating the conditions that might cause a future existential crisis of the western state. Not only has that technological advance created the conditions for war, especially civil war, it has compounded this threat by democratizing the means of violence and empowering non-state actors. In the future, then, the war–state relationship could take an unexpected turn; and war might actually precipitate the unmaking of the state.

See Martin van Creveld, The rise and decline of the state (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999), pp. 336–414; Michael Mann, The sources of social power , vol. 4: Globalizations, 1945–2011 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013), p. 432; Philip Bobbit, The shield of Achilles (London: Penguin, 2002), pp. 214–19; Charles Tilly, ‘Warmaking and state making as organized crime’, in Peter Evans, Dietrich Rueschmeyer and Theda Skocpol, eds, Bringing the state back in: strategies of analysis in current research (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985), pp. 169–86.

Lawrence Freedman, ‘The rise and fall of Great Power wars’, International Affairs 95: 1, Jan. 2019, pp. 101–18.

See Martin van Creveld, Technology and war from 2000 Bc to the present (New York: Free Press, 1989); Andrew F. Krepinevich, ‘Cavalry to the computer: the pattern of military revolutions’, The National Interest , no. 37, Fall 1994, pp. 31–43.

See Michael Howard, War in European history (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977); Hans Delbruck, The history of the art of war , vols 1–4 (Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1990).

William McNeill, The pursuit of power: technology, armed force, and society (Chicago: Chicago University Press, 1982); Maurice Pearton, The knowledgeable state: diplomacy, war and technology since 1830 (London: Burnett, 1982).

Mariana Mazzucato, The entrepreneurial state: debunking the public versus private sector (London: Penguin Random House, 2013), pp. 92–119.

See Christopher Coker, Rebooting Clausewitz on war in the 21st century (London: Hurst, 2017); Martin van Creveld, More on war (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017).

See Tilly, ‘War making and state making as organized crime’, pp. 170–86.

See Macgregor Knox and Williamson Murray, eds, The dynamics of military revolution 1300–2050 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001).

Samuel P. Huntington, ‘Arms races: prerequisites and results’, in Richard K. Betts, ed., Conflict after the war on terror (London: Pearson Longman, 2005), p. 361.

See Kelik Mumatz, Schumpeter innovation and growth: long cycle dynamics in post World War Two American manufacturing industries (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2003); Paul Mason, Postcapitalism: a guide to our future (London: Allen Lane, 2015), p. 33.

Joseph Schumpeter, Capitalism, socialism and democracy (London: Allen & Unwin, 1943), p. 84.

Solly Zuckerman, Scientists and war (London: Hamish Hamilton, 1966), pp. 28–9.

William O'Neill, The pursuit of power (Oxford: Blackwell, 1983), pp. 280–87.

Guy Hartcup, The challenge of war: scientific contributions to World War Two (Newton Abbott: David Charles, 1970), p. 21.

See David Wrigley, ‘The Fabian Society and the South African War, 1899–1902’, South African Historical Journal 10: 1, 1978, pp. 65–78.

Chris Hables Gray, Postmodern war: the new politics of conflict (London: Routledge, 1997), pp. 128–49.

Hables Gray, Postmodern war , p. 22.

For studies that use the term differently, see Mark Duffield, ‘Post modern conflict: warlords, post adjustment states and private protection’, Civil Wars 1: 1, Spring 1998, pp. 65–102; Mary Kaldor, New and old wars (Cambridge: Polity, 1999).

Kalevi Holsti, Peace and war: armed conflicts and international order 1648–1989 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991), pp. 270–71.

See Stephen Cimbala, Clausewitz and escalation: classical perspectives on nuclear strategy (Abingdon: Routledge, 2012).

Carl von Clausewitz, On war (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1976), p. 77.

Clausewitz, On war , p. 87.

Ofer Fridman, Russian ‘hybrid warfare’: resurgence and politicisation (London: Hurst, 2018), p. 91.

For more on the rituals of violence in war, see Christopher Cramer, Civil war is not a stupid thing: accounting for violence in developing countries (London: Hurst, 2006), pp. 1–20.

Barry Buzan, Military technology and international relations (London: Macmillan, 1987), p. 216.

See J. Lyall and I. Wilson, ‘Rage of the machines; explaining outcomes in counterinsurgency wars’, International Organisation 63: 1, Winter 2010/11, pp. 67–106.

Warren A. Chin, British weapons acquisition policy and the futility of reform (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2004), pp. 43–69.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, ‘Farewell radio and television address to the American people’, 17 Jan. 1961, https://eisenhower.archives.gov/all_about_ike/speeches/farewell_address.pdf .

Harold Laswell, Essays on the garrison state , ed. Jay Stanley (New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction, 1997), pp. 77–116.

See Samuel Huntington, The soldier and the state (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1985).

See Mary Kaldor, The baroque arsenal (London: Deutsch, 1982).

Stephen Graham, Cities under siege: the new military urbanism (London: Verso, 2010), Kindle edn, loc. 2069, chapter 3: ‘The new military urbanism’, section: ‘Tracking citizen–consumer–soldier’.

Vincent P. Luchsinger and John Van Blois, ‘Spin-offs from military technology: past and future’, Journal of Technology Management 4: 1, 1989, pp. 21–9.

See P. W. Singer, Corporate warriors: the rise of the privatised military industry (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2003), p. 38.

Lawrence Freedman, ‘The changing forms of military conflict’, Survival 40: 4, Winter 1998–9, pp. 39–56.

See Alvin Toffler and Heidi Toffler, War and anti war: survival at the dawn of the 21st century (London: Little, Brown, 1993).

D. L. I. Kirkpatrick, ‘The rising unit cost of defence equipment: the reasons and the results’, Defence and Peace Economics 6: 4, 1995, pp. 263–88.

Martin Shaw, The new western way of war (Cambridge: Polity, 2004), pp. 29–41.

Bobbit, The shield of Achilles , pp. 301–303.

David Keen, Endless war: hidden functions of the war on terror (London: Pluto, 2006), pp. 51–83.

Paul Rogers, Irregular warfare: ISIS and the new threat from the margins (London: Tauris, 2016), Kindle edn, loc. 2391–6, chapter 6: ‘Irregular war’.

See Grégoire Chamayou, Drone theory (London: Penguin, 2015).

See Robert Kaplan, The revenge of geography: what the map tells us about coming conflicts (New York: Random House, 2012).

Christopher Coker, The future of war (Oxford: Blackwell, 2004).

Lawrence Freedman, The future of war: a history (London: Allen Lane, 2017), p. xviii; Damien van Puyvelde, Stephen Coulthardt and M. Shahmir Hossain, ‘Beyond the buzzword: big data and national security decision-making’, International Affairs 93: 6, Nov. 2017, pp. 1397–416.

Elliot Cohen, ‘Change and transformation in military affairs’, Journal of Strategic Studies 27: 3, 2004, p. 396.

Mann, Globalizations, 1945–2011 , p. 432.

UK Ministry of Defence, Global strategic trends—out to 2045 (London: The Stationery Office, 2014).

Colin Gray, Another bloody century (London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005), 39.

Paul K. Davis, Lessons from RAND's work on planning under uncertainty for national security (Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2012), p. 5.

Klaus Schwab, The fourth Industrial Revolution (London: Penguin Random House, 2017), p. 7.

Max Tegmark, Life 3.0: being human in the age of artificial intelligence (London: Penguin Random House, 2017), Kindle edn, p. 37.

John Thornhill, ‘AI: the new frontier’, ‘Big picture podcast’, Financial Times , 4 July 2018, https:podcasts.apple.com>podcast>ft .

Schwab, Fourth Industrial Revolution , p. 8.

See John Mearsheimer, The tragedy of Great Power politics (London: Norton, 2001).

Robert Latiff, Future war: preparing for the new global battlefield (New York: Knopf, 2017).

Rob Davies, ‘UK unveils new Tempest fighter to replace Typhoon’, Guardian , 16 July 2018.

Bob Work, Deputy Secretary of Defense, ‘Third Offset strategy bolsters America's military deterrence’, US Dept of Defense, 31 Oct. 2016, https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/991434/deputy-secretary-third-offset-strategy-bolsters-americas-military-deterrence/ . (Unless otherwise noted at point of citation, all URLs cited in this article were accessible on 20 May 2019.)

Franz-Stefan Gady, ‘New US defence budget: £18 billion for Third Offset’, The Diplomat , 10 Feb. 2016, https://thediplomat.com/2016/02/new-us-defense-budget-18-billion-for-third-offset-strategy/ .

Kai-Fu Lee, AI super-powers: China, Silicon Valley, and the new world order (New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018), p. 19. See also Evan Feigenbaum, China's techno warriors (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2003).

Adam Segal, ‘When China rules the Web’, Foreign Affairs 97: 5, Sept.–Oct. 2018, p. 12.

Segal, ‘When China rules the Web’.

Kai-Fu Lee, AI super-powers , p. 4.

Donella Meadows, Dennis L. Meadows, J⊘rgen Randers and William W. Behrens III, The limits to growth: a report for the Club of Rome's project on the predicament of mankind (New York: Potomac Associates–Universe Books, 1972).

See David Kilcullen, Out of the mountains: the coming age of the urban guerrilla (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013).

Graham Turner, Is global collapse imminent? , research paper no. 4 (Melbourne: University of Melbourne, Sustainable Society Institute, Aug. 2014).

Laurie Laybourn-Langton, Lesley Rankin and Darren Baxter, This is a crisis: facing up to the age of environmental breakdown (London: Institute for Public Policy Research, Feb. 2019), p. 5.

Matthew Green, ‘New economics—the way to save the planet?’, Reuters, 8 May 2019, https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-climatechange-extinction/new-economics-the-way-to-save-the-planet-idUKKCN1SE2CU .

See Andrew McAfee and Erik Brynjolfson, The second machine age: work, progress in times of brilliant technologies (New York: Norton, 2014).

Yuval Noah Harari, Homo deus: a brief history of tomorrow (London: Vintage, 2017), p. 363.

PWC report, Will robots really steal our jobs? How will automation impact on jobs , https://www.pwc.co.uk/economic-services/assets/international-impact-of-automation-feb-2018.pdf .

Larry Elliot, ‘Robots threaten 15m jobs, says Bank of England chief economist’, Guardian , 12 Nov. 2015.

Ted Robert Gurr, Political rebellion: causes, outcomes and alternatives (Abingdon: Routledge, 2015), p. 58.

Daniela Russ, ‘The robots are coming’, Foreign Affairs 94: 3, June–July 2015, pp. 2–6.

Harari, Homo deus , p. 370.

‘The future of everything: how AI is augmenting therapy’, podcast, Wall Street Journal , https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/wsj-the-future-of-everything/how-ai-is-augmenting-therapy/810a7099-0cc3-4e03-8148-dd87c3673152 .

Harari, Homo deus , p. 379.

Kevin Drum, ‘Tech world welcome to the digital revolution’, Foreign Affairs 97: 4, July–Aug. 2018, p. 47.

Kai-Fu Lee, AI super-powers , p. 19.

Tegmark, Life 3.0 , p. 103.

Martin Wolf, ‘Same as it ever was’, Foreign Affairs 94: 4, 2015, p. 18.

Gurr, Political rebellion , p. 59.

Wolf, ‘Same as it ever was’, p. 22.

Gurr, Political rebellion , p. 15.

Gurr, Political rebellion , p. 16.

See Martin van Creveld, The transformation of war (New York: Free Press, 1991).

Qiao Lang and Wang Xiangsui, Unrestricted warfare (Marina Del Rey, CA: Shadow Lawn Press, 2017; first publ. 1999), Kindle edn, p. 5

Qiao Lang and Wang Xiangsui, Unrestricted warfare , p. 48.

P. W. Singer and Emerson T. Brooking, Like war: the weaponization of social media (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018), pp. 151–4.

Karen Kornbluh, ‘The internet's lost promise and how America can restore it’, Foreign Affairs 97: 5, Sept.–Oct. 2018, p. 33; Mikael Wigell, ‘Hybrid interference as a wedge strategy: a theory of external interference’, International Affairs 95: 2, March 2019, pp. 255–76; Yevgeniy Golovchenko, Mareike Martmann and Rebecca Adler-Nissen, ‘State, media and civil society in the information warfare over Ukraine’, International Affairs 94: 5, Sept. 2018, pp. 975–94.

Rory Cormac and Richard J. Aldrich, ‘Grey is the new black: covert action and implausible deniability’, International Affairs 94: 3, May 2018, pp. 477–94.

Oliver Solon, ‘Facebook removes 652 fake accounts and pages meant to influence world politics’, Guardian , 22 Aug. 2018.

Moises Naim, The end of power (New York: Basic Books, 2013), Kindle edn, loc. 2579.

Ronald K. Noble, ‘Keeping science in the right hands’, Foreign Affairs 92: 6, Nov.–Dec. 2013, p. 47.

Laurie Garrett, ‘Biology's brave new world: the promise and perils of the syn bio revolution’, Foreign Affairs 92: 6, Nov.–Dec. 2013, pp. 28–46.

Cited in Naim, The end of power , loc. 2571.

David Betz, ‘Cyberpower in strategic affairs’, Journal of Strategic Studies 35: 5, 2012, p. 695.

Dan Tynan, ‘“I wouldn't waste my time”: firearms experts dismiss flimsy 3D-printed guns’, Guardian , 1 Aug. 2018.

Graham, Cities under siege , loc. 2011, chapter 3: ‘The military urbanism’, section: ‘Tracking: citizen–consumer–soldier’.

Graham, Cities under siege , loc. 2099, chapter 3: ‘The military urbanism’, section: ‘Tracking: citizen–consumer–soldier’.

Author notes

Email alerts

Citing articles via.

• Recommend to Your Librarian
• Advertising and Corporate Services

Affiliations

• Online ISSN 1468-2346
• Print ISSN 0020-5850
• Copyright © 2024 The Royal Institute of International Affairs
• About Oxford Academic
• Publish journals with us
• University press partners
• What we publish
• New features  
• Open access
• Institutional account management
• Rights and permissions
• Get help with access
• Accessibility
• Advertising
• Media enquiries
• Oxford University Press
• Oxford Languages
• University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

• Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
• Cookie settings
• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Technology: Past, Present and Future

Save to my list

Remove from my list

• How do we know if war javelins caused arm catastrophes in medieval battle?

Technology: Past, Present and Future. (2021, Aug 13). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/technology-past-present-and-future-essay

"Technology: Past, Present and Future." StudyMoose , 13 Aug 2021, https://studymoose.com/technology-past-present-and-future-essay

StudyMoose. (2021). Technology: Past, Present and Future . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/technology-past-present-and-future-essay [Accessed: 18 Sep. 2024]

"Technology: Past, Present and Future." StudyMoose, Aug 13, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2024. https://studymoose.com/technology-past-present-and-future-essay

"Technology: Past, Present and Future," StudyMoose , 13-Aug-2021. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/technology-past-present-and-future-essay. [Accessed: 18-Sep-2024]

StudyMoose. (2021). Technology: Past, Present and Future . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/technology-past-present-and-future-essay [Accessed: 18-Sep-2024]

• Past Present and Future Paper Pages: 6 (1736 words)
• The Significance of the Past: Influence on the Present and Future Pages: 5 (1279 words)
• Evolution of Healthcare Informatics: Past, Present, and Future Pages: 6 (1521 words)
• The past, present and future of cars Pages: 5 (1354 words)
• The Death Penalty Debate in Australia: Past, Present, and Future Pages: 5 (1345 words)
• Nursing: The Past, The Present, And The Future Pages: 5 (1348 words)
• Engineering's Transformative Impact on India: Past, Present, Future Pages: 2 (545 words)
• The Profession of Social Work from Past to Present to Future Pages: 4 (1033 words)
• Heaney's exploration of past and present continuity in his poetry Pages: 5 (1423 words)
• Mohawk Indians: Past and Present Pages: 4 (1032 words)

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

We use COOKIES to make your user experience better.

By staying on our website, you fully accept it. Learn more » It's OK

• How it works
• Coursework |
• Research Proposal |
• Research Paper |
• Reaction Paper |
• Term Paper |
• Lab Report |
• Annotated Bibliography |
• Case Study |
• Excel Assignment |
• Discussion Board Post |
• Interview |
• Article Critique |
• Business Plan |
• White Paper |
• Questions Answers |
• Case Brief |
• Literary Analysis |
• Capstone Project |
• Marketing Plan |
• Blog Article |
• PPT Presentation and Poster |
• PDF Poster |
• Article Review |
• Statistics Research Project |
• Motivation Letter |
• Dissertation |
• IB Extended Essay |
• Thesis Proposal |
• Movie Review |
• Literature Review |
• Film Critique |
• Grant Proposal |
• Book Review |
• Rewriting |
• Article Writing |
• Formatting |
• Proofreading |
• Business Report |
• Concept Map |
• Problem Solution Essay |
• Do My Math Homework |

Technology Now and Then

The modern societies have changed drastically over the past fifty years in regard on technology. The societies have become an information world where technology is almost everything as opposed to the past. Technology has changed and advanced a great deal presently compared to the earlier periods. Nowadays, it affects human life in different areas; for instance, it brings social change, educational change, agricultural change, and change in leisure activities among others.

Industrial Revolution and Technology

Get a price quote

Trade and Technology

In the past, the majority of the businesses were done locally and counting done manually. Technology has quickly changed the way people trade since the business people nowadays use internets, calculators, telephone, mobile forms, and airplanes (Klein, 2008). In the past, carrying goods to the marketplaces were done by people themselves or by use of animals such as donkeys, camels, and even cows (Klein, 2008). Presently, the trade industry has improved a great deal due to technology changes because traders can use vehicles and airplanes to transport and supply goods to the consumers. Starting a business in the past needed no registration since the technology was in its minimal form. On the other hand, when starting a business presently, registration is done in the local business registration offices, and a business name is applied using the computers with internets. In addition, with the birth of the internet, businesspersons can conduct international trade while they are in their countries without traveling all the way. This could not be done in the past as it forced the traders to travel all the way in order to take their goods and interact with the consumers.

Agriculture and Technology

Get paper of the TOP quality

with 15% OFF for your 1st order!

Education and Technology

Compared to the past, technology has estimably changed education. Teaching methods have advanced from ancient times to nowadays. In the past, science was taught through recitation method where learners memorized the machines without seeing them. But now, technology has led to the invention of laboratory, observation method, and fieldwork method with adequate laboratory facilities where science students can now observe the machines. In the past, some subjects were not included in the syllabus; for example, Information Technology. But due to advancement in technology, these topics have been added in the syllabus today. With this knowledge, the students now learn how to use computers (Zelkowitz, 2006). Thanks to technology advancements, students in schools around the world can learn using the computers. In the past, the students had to attend classes in person since there were no computers or laptops. Presently, with the invention of e-learning, students are able to learn online which is easier compared to the past (Hutchby, 2001).

Transport and Technology

In the past, people used animals such as camels, donkeys, horses, and cattle to travel from one area to another. This has changed with the Technology Revolution. Today, technology has invented machines, which make travelling easier than before, as they are quick and save time. Moreover, advancement in technology has led to the development of vehicles and trains, which people can use to travel to far places (Klein, 2008). There are also motorcycles and bicycles, which help people to travel on land. Presently, there are airplanes, jets, rockets, and airstrips, which people use to travel on air unlike in the past. In the past, people used boats, which were locally made to travel on water. These boats took a lot of time and needed a lot of energy to operate. But today, with the technology, many machines such as steamboats, ships, engine boats, and ferries have been invented (Klein, 2008). The invented machines now save time and energy and carry people as opposed to the earlier periods.

Communication and Technology

The types of medium people use to converse with one another have been advancing during the past years. The modes of communication have changed depending on the times, individual’s living situation, and advancement in technology (Klein, 2008). In the past, the types of communication technology devices have evolved from smoke signals and carrier pigeons to letters and telegrams. Later, in the 1800s, there was the invention of telegraphs, which brought about generational change in communication. Telegraph was the first main landmark in the development of communication technology (Zelkowitz, 2006). Today, people use efficient means of communication: mobile phones, e-mails, telephones, radio, cable television, and internet, which are faster than the ones used in the earlier periods. Nowadays, communication plays an important role in the public and private spheres as opposed to the past (Zelkowitz, 2006). Today, communication worldwide is at the tip of the finger and is factual. People use computers, Ipads, Blackberry playbooks, Tablets, and wireless internet to communicate instantly with the use of e-mail, text messaging, instant messaging, and video chats. Current technology makes communication continuous as it allows individuals to inarticulate themselves with a click of a button (Zelkowitz, 2006). People in the past were not exposed to the kind of technology that enabled face-to-face communication as today (Zelkowitz, 2006). Nowadays, people are able to communicate face to face despite the distance. For instance, one can have face-to-face communication through the application of 3G calls, Skype, and webcam (Hutchby, 2001). In ancient times, televisions were usually in optical screens, white and black images with few channels and with an antenna attached at the backs (Zelkowitz, 2006). But nowadays, there are varieties of televisions which appear in liquid crystal and plasma display. They have great sound systems and flat screens with clearer vision (Hutchby, 2001). The televisions also come in multitouch screens meaning we can control everything while watching. In conclusion, our everyday tasks have changed in one way or another due to technological advancement, and they are quickly becoming the norm. Numerous technological innovations have occurred since the beginning of humanity and contributed to the modern ones. The technological changes from the past to present always relate to survival needs like shelter, defense, or food. The technology revolution from the past to now helps in many aspects of our lives such as the economy, education, and health (Hutchby, 2001). Technological changes have positively driven civilization and changed cultural systems as it shapes and reflects the system’s values.

Our unique features

• Money-back guarantee
• Plagiarism-free papers
• Free revision according to our revisions policy
• Perfect formatting (APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard and others)
• 24/7 Customer Support

Testimonials

for more than 15 pages --> --> --> -->

for more than 50 pages --> -->

Get for free

• FREE Revision (within 2 days) $18
• FREE Plagiarism-free papers $11
• FREE Plagiarism report (on request) $11
• FREE Reference page $11
• FREE Title page $13
• FREE Outline page (on request) $13

Total saving: $77

Affiliate Program

Say your friend to use OUR Services and Get 10%

Paper design

• Over 300 words/page
• Single or double-spaced
• Text aligned left
• One-inch margins
• 12 point font size
• You choose font face

Past and Present Technology then and Now: Past and Present Knowledge

How it works

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Past’s Contribution in Natural Science
• 3 Art’s Relationship with Past Knowledge
• 4.1 Bibliography

Introduction

Many people find identifying the thin line between present knowledge and past knowledge difficult. Most people will say that the present knowledge that we possess is dependent on past knowledge that has been carried on from the past. However, many of these people will agree that not all past knowledge that we have obtained is applicable to certain fields of study. Present knowledge is the knowledge of the current state that we possess and use in our day-to-day lives. Past knowledge is a prior shared knowledge, which we have been knowing for a longer period of time.

I define the word “wholly” as “fully” and the word “dependent” as “relying”. I interpreted the title as “Current knowledge is fully relying on prior shared knowledge.” This interpretation of mine has made me think about the cell theory in Biology and the atomic structure concept by Bohr in Chemistry, which helped me understand those scientific concepts better. However, I also thought of the field of arts, where people with no artistic knowledge can create artwork. The following essay will discuss to what extent our present knowledge depends on past knowledge with reference to AOKs of natural science and arts.

Past’s Contribution in Natural Science

I instantly thought of science subjects when I read the word “past knowledge,” as I learned a lot of scientific concepts with the help of laws and theories discovered by scientists in the past. In natural science, present scientific knowledge that we possess is structured from many factors, but past knowledge is the biggest contributor. The biology and Chemistry textbooks that I’ve been using for the past two years contain theories discovered by scientists way back, and we learn the basic concepts of science subjects based on those theories. Without the theories, the concepts we studied can be too broad and difficult to understand. To give an example, I learned the cell theory in Biology, which is a historical, scientific theory stating that cells are the basic structure / organizational unit of all organisms and that all cells arise from pre-existing cells. Three scientists in the past have come up with this theory, and we have been using this concept to better understand the cell, which is the basis of Biology. This theory is confirmed and widely agreed upon by the scientific community today, and future Biology students will come across this theory at one point in their lives. Without the theories, scientific concepts may not have existed. The discovery of cell theory has impacted later scientific discovery, such as the discovery of stem cells, which contributes to curing heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

Although early scientific discoveries impact later research in a positive manner, present scientific knowledge can be far from dependent on past knowledge. Some innovative medical technologies are pioneered in a process that does not depend on past knowledge but rather is unplanned and accidental. This shows that no past knowledge is necessary to create a technology to make our lives easier. X-ray machines are one example of this kind of technology. Before it was invented, bones that were broken and tumors in a patient’s body were treated with a doctor’s guess. The discovery of X-ray is thought to be a miracle as a German professor, Roentgen, removed air from a fluorescent light bulb-like tube and filled it with a special gas. When the high electric voltage was passed through the tube, the tube glowed. Then he tried covering the tube with black paper and noticed that the barium screen started to glow. This made him realize that this tube was emitting so-called “invisible light” or rays through an object. Later on, this discovery was called “X-ray,” and we use this technology on a daily basis whenever someone needs to have a check on their inner body condition. This technology has contributed to finding the injury and tumor inside a body earlier than ever before.

Art’s Relationship with Past Knowledge

Moreover, the field of arts also popped into my mind when I read the term “past knowledge.” Artwork is created by an artist inspired by another artist or technique from the past that they have learned while taking an art subject. With academic experience in arts, artists have a better understanding and a greater range of artistic knowledge compared to the ones with no artistic background. Painter Claude Monet, who is famous for his French impressionism artwork, turned down his father’s expectation of him to become a part of the family’s business to pursue his interest in arts. He enrolled in “Le Havre Secondary School of Arts” to continue his art study. He then meets Eugene, whom the former has considered the latter as his mentor, changing his approach towards his painting to the one we know Monet for. By having artistic knowledge and a mentor, one’s ability to paint a striking artwork widens. In addition, the revolutionary French impressionism art style by Monet is a style that students will study in their coursework, continuing to inspire future artists.

On the other hand, while art students must learn about the basic study of arts, people with no art experience or artistic knowledge can create their own artwork. Some types of art are determined by an artist’s imagination or observation, making the possession of artistic knowledge unnecessary to create an artwork. Art is a broad subject where there is no right or wrong, and artists can express whatever they want to express.

There is an article in which they asked 12 contemporary artists “What it takes to make a great piece of art.” One of the artists that were asked stated that “there’s no universal formula to create a piece of art.” Most of the artists in the article mentioned that they create their artwork based on their experiences and emotional connection as there were no determined ways how art is considered good. When I was an art student two years ago, I researched the painting style of Frida Kahlo and found out that she didn’t have actual artistic knowledge or degree by the time she started painting her iconic self-portraits. She was involved in an accident, making her stay at the hospital for many weeks. While staying in a hospital, she taught herself how to draw and paint to study the art herself. She later succeeded in painting her famous self-portrait and was exposed to the world of realism and abstract art. Nowadays, I see a lot of artists inspired by Kahlo’s unique artistic technique, including myself. It is possible to discover a new painting style and to create a world-recognized masterpiece for a person with no artistic background. To conclude, the present knowledge we possess at the moment is largely dependent on past knowledge because not only past knowledge is the determinant of present knowledge.

Though the line between present knowledge and past knowledge is really narrow, I believe that present knowledge is our instincts and sense perception, whereas past knowledge is our experience and historical knowledge, which has been passed on for many years. In natural science, it is likely that the present scientific knowledge we possess is dependent on past knowledge, as theories discovered by scientists help us to better understand complex scientific concepts. Although some innovative technologies are founded on sense perception and instincts, past knowledge is the biggest contributor to obtaining present knowledge in fields of natural science. In arts, past knowledge is not necessary to make one an artist. Artists with artistic and educational backgrounds are likely to have a wider ability to make use of artistic techniques to approach their ideal art style. Artworks are created through artists’ imagination and observation; thus, since there is no right or wrong when creating an artwork, artists are free to express their ideas directly as artwork. Therefore, I think that current knowledge is mostly dependent on past knowledge, but it is not necessary to have prior knowledge in order to obtain present knowledge.

Bibliography

• “Pearson Baccalaureate Higher Level 2nd Edition Print and eBook”, Patricia Tosto, Alan Damon, Randy McGonegal, William Ward, 5 Sep. 2014
• “Claude Monet Biography,” Editors TheFamousPeople.com, 26 Jul. 2017, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/oscar-claude-monet-1084.php#childhood-&-early-life
• “The Discovery of X-Ray,” Medical Discovery News http://www.medicaldiscoverynews.com/shows/xray.html
• Stewart. Jessica, “12 Contemporary Artists Tell Us What it Takes to Make a Great Piece of Art”, My Modern Met, 24 Apr. 2017 https://mymodernmet.com/what-is-great-art/
• “Frida Kahlo.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 24 Feb. 2020, www.biography.com/artist/frida-kahlo.

Cite this page

Past and Present Technology Then and Now: Past and Present Knowledge. (2023, Aug 31). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/past-and-present-technology-then-and-now-past-and-present-knowledge/

"Past and Present Technology Then and Now: Past and Present Knowledge." PapersOwl.com , 31 Aug 2023, https://papersowl.com/examples/past-and-present-technology-then-and-now-past-and-present-knowledge/

PapersOwl.com. (2023). Past and Present Technology Then and Now: Past and Present Knowledge . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/past-and-present-technology-then-and-now-past-and-present-knowledge/ [Accessed: 24 Sep. 2024]

"Past and Present Technology Then and Now: Past and Present Knowledge." PapersOwl.com, Aug 31, 2023. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/past-and-present-technology-then-and-now-past-and-present-knowledge/

"Past and Present Technology Then and Now: Past and Present Knowledge," PapersOwl.com , 31-Aug-2023. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/past-and-present-technology-then-and-now-past-and-present-knowledge/. [Accessed: 24-Sep-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2023). Past and Present Technology Then and Now: Past and Present Knowledge . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/past-and-present-technology-then-and-now-past-and-present-knowledge/ [Accessed: 24-Sep-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

A Comparison of Technology in the Past and Now

More essays like this:

This preview is partially blurred. Sign up to view the complete essay.

View other essays like this one:

In-text citation:

(Kibin, 2024)

Reference list entry:

Kibin. (2024). A comparison of technology in the past and now . http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/a-comparison-of-technology-in-the-past-and-now-TzHo6MPk

("A Comparison of Technology in the Past and Now.")

Works Cited entry:

"A Comparison of Technology in the Past and Now." Kibin , 2024, www.kibin.com/essay-examples/a-comparison-of-technology-in-the-past-and-now-TzHo6MPk

1. "A Comparison of Technology in the Past and Now." Kibin, 2024. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/a-comparison-of-technology-in-the-past-and-now-TzHo6MPk.

Bibliography entry:

"A Comparison of Technology in the Past and Now." Kibin, 2024. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/a-comparison-of-technology-in-the-past-and-now-TzHo6MPk.

You know how looking at a math problem similar to the one you're stuck on can help you get unstuck? Reading example essays works the same way!

Here are some ways our essay examples library can help you with your assignment:

• Brainstorm a strong, interesting topic
• Learn what works (and what doesn't) from the reader's perspective. What hooks you? What makes you cringe?
• Uncover new sources by reviewing other students' references and bibliographies
• Inspire new perspectives and arguments (or counterarguments) to address in your own essay

Read our Academic Honor Code for more information on how to use (and how not to use) our library.

Essays may be lightly modified for readability or to protect the anonymity of contributors, but we do not edit essay examples prior to publication. (And nope, we don't source our examples from our editing service! Check out our Privacy and Content Sharing policies for more information.)

The essays in our library are intended to serve as content examples to inspire you as you write your own essay. They're not intended to be submitted as your own work, so we don't waste time removing every error. This allows our team to focus on improving the library and adding new essays.

The example essays in Kibin's library were written by real students for real classes. To protect the anonymity of contributors, we've removed their names and personal information from the essays. When citing an essay from our library, you can use "Kibin" as the author.

Kibin does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the essays in the library; essay content should not be construed as advice. For more information on choosing credible sources for your paper, check out this blog post .

Did you find something inaccurate, misleading, abusive, or otherwise problematic in this essay example? Let us know! We'll take a look right away.

• Contact/FAQ
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Academic Honor Code
• Kibin Reviews & Testimonials
• Meet the Editors
• Proofreading Jobs
• Essay Writing Blog

Essay about Technology: Past, Present, and Future

• 2 Works Cited

Technology: Past, Present, and Future Remember the days of the Old West? The women walked around with their parasols or rode in a horse drawn carriage and the men rode fast and furious on their horses. Everything you needed was right there in town: the saloon, the general store, and the barber . When one needed to get somewhere, they would walk. If they needed to travel far, there were steam -powered locomotives. As towns and cities grew larger, it was not so convenient to walk everywhere. There was a need for a machine that could get us around to where we had to go. Technology was becoming a bigger part of the times and the machine we now know today as the automobile was invented. Millions of people throughout the world depend on …show more content…

Environmentalists would argue that cars "would eject large amounts of unpleasant gases into the air, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide" (Wilson 304). Energy experts would be afraid of using to much fuel. In short, there would be a strong resistance to the thought of an automobile being built. Wilson argues that without cars, we would have to live very close together in apartments and row houses so that we could walk to public transportation depots. He also says that we would miss seeing the beaches and the countryside except for an occasional glimpse from a bus or train window. We would have city upon city. Still, the car haters tell us that with the use of bikes and public transportation we will have less pollution, noise and our energy is used more efficiently. Well what about the benefits? Wilson states "The automobile is more flexible, more punctual, supplies greater comfort, provides for carrying more parcels, creates more privacy, enables one to select fellow passengers, and, for distances over a mile or more, requires less travel time" (308). So to those that reject the notion of an automobile, Wilson says, "The car does exist, and has powerfully affected the living, working, and social spaces of America" (304). Technology has come a long way since the first automobile was built. We now have Small cars and mid size cars. There are Sport Utility Vehicles, or

How Automobile Benefited America During The Twentieth Century

Isn't it hard to believe that there are currently one billion automobiles being used on a daily basis throughout the world? But, there always wasn't that many in the world as the automobile has only been around since the early 1900s. An automobile, also called a car, is a four wheeled vehicle that has its own motor and is used in daily travels around the world. Even though our world is filled with them now, automobiles were quite rare during the 1910s and 1920s. In the United States automobiles were just being developed at this time, but once the automobile became popular, people used them with every opportunity

Elements That Have Changed American Society

Cars have advanced thoughout American society having both positive and negative effects. It is common to use cars as a form of transportation making it easier to move from one destination to another. Cars are also used as a means of entertainment such as car shows, racing, and drive-in movies. Another use

Summary Of The Social Influence Of The Automobile By Allen D. Albert

The document “The Social Influence of the Automobile” was written in June of 1922 by Allen D. Albert. In this article Albert is saying that since the creation of automobiles the life has shifted for the better. “…almost without a pause in our thinking have we adjusted our lives to these factors new since yesterday”1 while automobiles brought a drastic change in life as it was, people adjusted to it quickly. In 1920’s cars were available to the general public at an affordable price, therefor offering the public a better, faster way of getting from place to place. Most importantly according to the document cars brought a change in the social aspects of life. With the help of a car travel times were decreased. Cities were now in reaching distance.

How Did Henry Ford Change American Society

The trip could take days.” This proves that it took a long time to travel before people could afford the Model T. People did not move very far very often so they had to live close to their school or work. The automobile created positive changes in American lives. “With their new

Ford Motor Company Essay

Threats of substitutes: In U.S., an automobile was considered as necessity so for every adult there was car on roads. Even for inter-city travel more than 70% time cars were used. Buses, trains and other means didn’t have much impact. The growing array of higher priced imported models had negative effect.

The Transportation Period In The 1800's

The technology we now have in vehicles was something that nobody would have thought possible in the early 1800's, we currently have vehicles that run on just electricity and cars that get better gas mileage per mile then earlier cars got with a whole tank of gas. This makes life easier and it also makes cars a lot cheaper to run for everyone. These advances made it much easier to get around the

Research Paper Henry Ford

Imagine how life would be if our society did not have cars. Today, our society is dependent on cars for our daily routines. From transporting our food, clothes, and technology to just going to the store across the street, cars are a very important part of our society. In the 19th century, only the wealthy and upper middle class had access to automobiles, and they only used cars for fancy transportation and to show off their money. This was due to the extreme prices of cars in the 19th century. With these high prices not many people could afford them, especially not the working class. Henry Ford revolutionized the automotive industry in the

1920's Car

Cars allowed women to be no longer confined to their own house and allowed them to go out and explore the world. The automobile also helped women get closer to gender equality, and they could now compete with the men for the same types of jobs even if they were further away. The automobile drastically changed the role of women in society, for example, they could go and get jobs further than walking distance, and they were no longer forced to be stuck with the stereotypical house

Satire About Driving

Why do we drive? Can't we just walk instead or just ride bikes. Life would be a whole lot different if we didn't have cars. It would take forever to get to work, school, and to meet up with friends. An upside though is that we would have less air pollution, so our air would be healthier to breathe in.

Suburbanization After World War 2 Essay

Source 1: The main focus of this document was how the automobile completely transformed life after World War 2. New advancements in transportation were really the pillars to the growth of cities overall in not just California but the United States. Transportation began with street cars and trolley which led to expansion of cities first urban then suburban after world war 2. Transportation in Southern California shifted from streets cars and trolleys to the automobile which marked the start of a new type of standard of living.

The Impact of the Automobile on the United States Essay

• 7 Works Cited

faster for less money than before. This, in turn, allowed for wider market areas in

North Americans Are Too Dependent On Automobile Transportation

The automobile industry has a lot of advantages, it help us to go wherever we want, even in long or short distances. Also, every year there are new cars with new and better technology, but as everything it has disadvantages, for example: all cars expulse smog through the gasoline which contaminates the air and give a negative impact to the ambient preservation. That is why North Americans have to become aware and start to walk or use bycicles or motorcycles to reduce the air pollution. It is necessary to use automobiles If the person is going to a far location,

Consumer Culture Of The 1950s Research Paper

According to Foner, “By 1960, 80 percent of American families owned at least one car, and 14 percent had two or more, nearly all manufactured in the United States”(). Many families owned automobiles, for it enabled long-distance vacationing and commuting to work, malls, etc. The ability for people to travel farther distances through means other than trains and trolleys stimulated a population shift from cities to suburbs. Approximately one third of Southern California, a mainly suburban area, was “paved over with roads and parking lots,” hence showing a transformation in American landscape. Infrastructure had to accommodate for cars as they became central to American life. Not only did the automobile alter the American landscape with a web of roads and freeways, but it also led to “the construction of motels, drive-in movie theaters, and roadside eating establishments”(). The automobile revolutionized America, as it allowed for individual mobility and private choice-a symbol of

The Interstate Highway System

In the early 1900s, the United States of America would see the introduction of a piece of technology that would change the way we as a society would look at travel. Henry Ford began production of Model T, the vehicle soon found its way into many American homes. By 1927, the Ford Motor Company had sold nearly 15 million of the mass produced, affordable car. The automobile was no longer a luxury but, a necessity for Americans. During the infancy of the automobile, the roads where nothing more than a mere rutted up path through the country side. Though shortly, people realized the need for better roads. The only problem was, who was going to pay the bill?

The Car and Society Essay

Other reasons people are so against cars include the amount of trash cars leave behind. Thousands of acres of our earth are covered with concrete to create roadways for these automobiles. Millions of automobiles are replaced every year. The owners either get tired of the old car, or want a new car, or they buy for other reasons. This creates tons of waste. Often cars are just junked or parted out leaving masses of trash everywhere. Highways lay across millions of miles of our environment. Many habitats were uprooted and covered with concrete. People against cars say that this is not natural, beautiful or efficient. Roads are not only ugly, but they are expensive. Roads continually need to be repaired.

Related Topics

20 Contoh Soal Simple Present Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay)

WISLAH.COM – Berikut “ 20 Contoh Soal Simple Present Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay) ” yang telah disusun untuk membantu siswa memahami dan menguasai penggunaan Simple Present Tense dalam bahasa Inggris. Soal-soal ini mencakup berbagai aspek Simple Present Tense, termasuk penggunaan kata kerja bantu ‘do/does’, bentuk kata kerja, dan penerapannya dalam kalimat positif, negatif, dan interogatif.

Tujuan dari kumpulan soal ini adalah untuk memberikan latihan praktis kepada siswa agar mereka dapat meningkatkan kemampuan mereka dalam memahami dan menggunakan Simple Present Tense dengan benar. Soal-soal ini disusun berdasarkan materi yang terdapat dalam buku pelajaran bahasa Inggris tingkat SMP/MTs, sehingga sesuai dengan kurikulum yang berlaku. Materi yang dibahas mencakup penggunaan Simple Present Tense untuk menyatakan fakta, kebiasaan, dan kejadian yang terjadi secara teratur.

Kumpulan 20 Contoh Soal Simple Present Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay)

A. 15 Contoh Soal Simple Present Tense: Soal Pilihan Ganda

• The sun … in the east. a. rise b. rises c. rose d. risen (Jawabannya: b. rises)
• My father … to work every morning. a. go b. goes c. went d. gone (Jawabannya: b. goes)
• They … football every Saturday. a. play b. plays c. played d. playing (Jawabannya: a. play)
• She … not like spicy food. a. do b. does c. did d. done (Jawabannya: b. does)
• … you speak English? a. Do b. Does c. Did d. Done (Jawabannya: a. Do)
• He … his teeth twice a day. a. brush b. brushes c. brushed d. brushing (Jawabannya: b. brushes)
• We … in Jakarta. a. live b. lives c. lived d. living (Jawabannya: a. live)
• My mother … delicious food. a. cook b. cooks c. cooked d. cooking (Jawabannya: b. cooks)
• The students … their homework every day. a. do b. does c. did d. done (Jawabannya: a. do)
• I … not understand this lesson. a. do b. does c. did d. done (Jawabannya: a. do)
• … she sing beautifully? a. Do b. Does c. Did d. Done (Jawabannya: b. Does)
• My sister … to school by bus. a. go b. goes c. went d. gone (Jawabannya: b. goes)
• We … not have any pets. a. do b. does c. did d. done (Jawabannya: a. do)
• … they like to watch movies? a. Do b. Does c. Did d. Done (Jawabannya: a. Do)
• The baby … a lot. a. cry b. cries c. cried d. crying (Jawabannya: b. cries)

B. 5 Contoh Soal Simple Present Tense: Soal Essay

My name is Sarah. I live in a small town with my family. I have a brother named Tom. We both go to the same school. I love to read books and listen to music. My favorite subject is English. I also enjoy playing basketball with my friends on weekends.

• Where does Sarah live? (Jawabannya: Sarah lives in a small town.)
• What is Sarah’s brother’s name? (Jawabannya: Sarah’s brother’s name is Tom.)
• What does Sarah love to do? (Jawabannya: Sarah loves to read books and listen to music.)
• What is Sarah’s favorite subject? (Jawabannya: Sarah’s favorite subject is English.)
• What does Sarah enjoy doing on weekends? (Jawabannya: Sarah enjoys playing basketball with her friends on weekends.)

Demikian “ 20 Contoh Soal Simple Present Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay) “. Semoga dapat memberikan referensi dan latihan yang bermanfaat bagi siswa dalam memahami dan menguasai penggunaan Simple Present Tense dalam bahasa Inggris. Dengan berlatih secara teratur, siswa diharapkan dapat meningkatkan kemampuan mereka dalam berkomunikasi secara efektif menggunakan bahasa Inggris.

Related posts

20 Contoh Soal Future Continuous Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay)

20 Contoh Soal Future Perfect Continuous Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay)

20 Contoh Soal Past Perfect Continuous Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay)

25 Contoh Soal Past Continuous Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay)

25 Contoh Soal Present Continuous Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay)

25 Contoh Soal Simple Past Tense dan Kunci Jawaban (Pilihan Ganda dan Essay)

• GOOGLE NEWS
• TANYA WISLAH

South African Worker and Student Portal

Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF Term 1 and Other Key Exam Papers in South Africa

• Lubanzi Tech
• Sep 23, 2024

As a Grade 10 student in South Africa, preparing for your Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Theory exams is crucial to your academic success. One of the most valuable resources available to you is the Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF for Term 1. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of these exam papers and memos, as well as other key exam papers that can help you excel in your studies.

What are Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF Term 1?

Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF Term 1 are past examination papers and their corresponding memorandums (answer sheets) for the first term of Grade 10 Computer Applications Technology. These papers are set by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and cover the key topics and skills that students are expected to have mastered during the term.

The exam papers are designed to assess students’ understanding of various aspects of computer applications, such as:

• Hardware and software concepts
• Computer networks and communication
• Ethical and social issues in computing
• Spreadsheet and database management
• Word processing and presentation skills

The memos provide detailed answers to the questions in the exam papers, allowing students to check their work and understand where they may have gone wrong.

Why are Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF Term 1 Important?

There are several reasons why these exam papers and memos are crucial for Grade 10 CAT students:

• Familiarization with Exam Format : By working through past exam papers, students can familiarize themselves with the structure, style, and types of questions they can expect in their actual exams. This helps reduce exam anxiety and improves time management skills.
• Identifying Knowledge Gaps : Attempting past exam papers allows students to identify areas where they may be struggling or have gaps in their knowledge. They can then focus their study efforts on these areas to improve their understanding and performance.
• Practicing Problem-Solving Skills : CAT exams often require students to apply their knowledge to solve problems or complete tasks. By practicing with past exam papers, students can develop and refine their problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the subject.
• Tracking Progress : As students work through past exam papers and compare their answers to the memos, they can track their progress and see how their understanding and skills are improving over time. This helps build confidence and motivates them to continue studying.
• Preparing for Future Exams : The skills and knowledge acquired through practicing with Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF Term 1 lay the foundation for success in future CAT exams, including those in Grade 11 and Grade 12.

Where to Find Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF Term 1

There are several ways to access these valuable resources:

• Department of Basic Education Website : The DBE website ( www.education.gov.za ) offers a wide range of past exam papers and memos for various subjects, including CAT. Students can download these resources for free in PDF format.
• School or Teacher : Many schools and CAT teachers maintain a collection of past exam papers and memos. Students can ask their teachers or school administrators for access to these resources.
• Online Education Platforms : There are several online education platforms, such as Mindset Learn ( www.mindset.co.za ) and Vodacom e-School ( www.vodacom.co.za/e-school ), that offer free access to past exam papers and memos for a variety of subjects, including CAT.
• Study Guide Websites : Some study guide websites, such as Via Afrika ( www.viaafrika.com ) and Exam Mate ( www.exammate.co.za ), provide past exam papers and memos as part of their subscription services or for purchase.

Other Key Exam Papers for Grade 10 Students in South Africa

While Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF Term 1 are essential, there are other important exam papers that Grade 10 students in South Africa should be aware of:

• Grade 10 CAT Practical Exam Papers : In addition to theory exams, CAT students also have practical exams that assess their skills in using various computer applications. Practicing with past practical exam papers can help students prepare for these assessments.
• Grade 10 Mathematics Exam Papers : Mathematics is a crucial subject for many students, as it is often a requirement for further study in fields such as science, engineering, and technology. Practicing with past Grade 10 Mathematics exam papers can help students improve their problem-solving skills and understanding of key concepts.
• Grade 10 Physical Sciences Exam Papers : Physical Sciences, which includes Physics and Chemistry, is another important subject for students interested in pursuing careers in science, engineering, or healthcare. Past exam papers can help students familiarize themselves with the types of questions and topics covered in these exams.
• Grade 10 English First Additional Language Exam Papers : As English is the primary language of instruction in most South African schools, it is essential for students to have a strong grasp of the language. Practicing with past Grade 10 English First Additional Language exam papers can help students improve their reading comprehension, writing skills, and vocabulary.
• Grade 10 Life Sciences Exam Papers : Life Sciences, which focuses on the study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment, is an important subject for students interested in careers in biology, environmental science, or healthcare. Past exam papers can help students prepare for the types of questions and topics covered in these exams.

Tips for Using Grade 10 Exam Papers and Memos Effectively

To get the most out of your Grade 10 exam papers and memos, consider the following tips:

• Create a Study Schedule : Set aside dedicated time to work through past exam papers and memos, and stick to your schedule as much as possible. Consistency is key to making progress.
• Work Under Exam Conditions : When attempting past exam papers, try to simulate actual exam conditions by timing yourself and working in a quiet, distraction-free environment. This will help you develop your time management skills and prepare for the real exam experience.
• Review Your Answers : After completing an exam paper, take the time to review your answers and compare them to the memo. Make note of any questions you got wrong or struggled with, and focus on improving your understanding of these topics.
• Seek Help When Needed : If you encounter a concept or question that you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to seek help from your teacher, a tutor, or a study group. Collaborating with others can help deepen your understanding and provide new perspectives on the material.
• Stay Organized : Keep your exam papers and memos organized and easily accessible. Consider creating a filing system or digital folder structure to make it easy to find the resources you need when you need them.

Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF Term 1 are a valuable resource for students looking to excel in their Computer Applications Technology studies. By familiarizing themselves with the exam format, identifying knowledge gaps, practicing problem-solving skills, tracking progress, and preparing for future exams, students can set themselves up for success in this important subject.

In addition to CAT exam papers, Grade 10 students in South Africa should also take advantage of past exam papers and memos for other key subjects, such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences, English First Additional Language, and Life Sciences. By consistently practicing with these resources and seeking help when needed, students can build a strong foundation for their academic and professional futures.

Remember, success in your Grade 10 exams is not just about memorizing facts and figures, but also about developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills. By leveraging the power of past exam papers and memos, and approaching your studies with dedication and a growth mindset, you can unlock your full potential and achieve your goals.

So, take the first step today by downloading your Grade 10 CAT Theory Exam Papers and Memos PDF Term 1, and start your journey towards exam success!

Eye Tests at Specsavers for Job or Learnership Applications in South Africa

2500 learners nys programme, learnerships in durban, south africa: opportunities and benefits.

• Jason Dlamini

How to Get a Job with the Department of Correctional Services in South Africa