How the Introduction of New Technologies Affects Culture Essay Example

means of communication. Nowadays, Americans do not need to meet to talk about sensitive issues or to catch up. Such factors have seriously eroded the existing cultures. Culture forms the social, psychological, moral and religious fabric of society and technology disrupts this by introducing new alternative modern ways of life. Sometimes these technological changes may be positive, but culturally their negative impact is higher. Some of these negative aspects are isolation, depression, poor social skills, corruption, privacy invasion, and emotional insensitivity (Sandra).

However, some societies may prove to be more superior to others. For instance, China is a very technologically advanced country. However, it still clings on to their culture, and almost all the cultural practices are still intact even in major towns. To find such a balance between the two is almost impossible, but when this equilibrium is found a most superior society emerges.

There are numerous examples of the relationship between culture and technology. In most cases the outcome is negative, they are such as:

Increase in School Massacres in the United States

For decades, there has been a culture of bullying in schools, weak kids are always harassed and sometimes tortured by the stronger kids. This approach is a very negative culture which in some schools was almost completely eradicated. Nevertheless, when social media were introduced more unmonitored platforms were introduced. Bullying was also introduced in these various social platforms and the peace these victims experienced when they were out of school was gone.

Now children are bullied at school and home. In many instances, nobody is reprimanded after such events which motivate more to this vice. After severe bullying both in school and online many students

commit suicide while others get firearms and kill their bullies. This incident is an ideal example of how unmonitored technology can cause irreversible damages.

Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is an ancient name referring to Iran; Mesopotamia had a culture of hunting and gathering as many societies living in arid areas practice, this was their culture for thousands of years passed from generation to generation. Later, one of a visionary invented the wheel which was used to create tools for irrigation, tilling the land and planting. After a few trials, this new way of life was adopted by the majority. After a few years, the people of Mesopotamia had completely shifted from hunting and gathering to farmers. This event is a positive example of the relationship between culture and technology, and there are other such cases. Sometimes technological advancement may be what a specific culture needs to evolve into a better efficiency and positive culture. In this case, the invention provided a more sustainable way of life to the Mesopotamian people.

African Food Shortage

At present, there is a severe food shortage in Africa; most of the food consumed in Africa comes from the Western countries such as the United States and European countries. Africa has the most fertile lands and the best weather conditions for farming in the world. Nonetheless, due to the mass rural to urban migration almost all the rural lands have been left untouched for years. Currently, Africa as a continent is experiencing its second wave of the industrial revolution.

Many multinational organizations are setting up shops in Africa, which has created numerous job opportunities for young people. Farming just as many other practices are a tradition passed from

one generation to another to ensure continuity and this massive rural to urban migration is severing this link. Hence, due to industrialization, many African societies have left their farming culture which is causing food shortages. This situation is a perfect example of outcomes realized when technology and culture are not well balanced.

Negative Effects of Technology on Culture

Segregation and Poor Social Skills

Through technological apparatus such as online social platforms, physical contact has been tremendously reduced (Purdy and Rholetter). Americans no longer physically meet or mingle; this is destroying young Americans communication skills and etiquette. Texts sent from one user to another are usually very short and grammatically incorrect. Currently, many youths conduct their business transactions and social life online. After a long period, these practices cause social segregation which causes segregation and diminishing on the social skills standards.

Depression, Increase in Violence and Lack of Sympathy

Due to bullying either online or through tabloids, depression rate has increased exponentially, in some extremes it has caused suicide or mass murder. Not very long ago, Americans used to cherish going to the rural areas to visit their relatives or grandparents. These visits ensured personal, emotional growth whereby children would be taught societal values. Also, constant physical interaction with peers ensured that everyone would emotionally connect hence be empathetic to others emotional challenges. By disconnecting physical interaction, Americans have become less sensitive to others emotions which have increased violence in our society (Nikolov).

Lack of Personal Boundaries

Many cultures strive to achieve cohesion and group achievements. Technological advancements are the main contributors of competitiveness which is a value that disregards communal actualization. At times this competitive rush can cause private rights infringement through

corporate, national or individual spying. Such spying incidents have been rampant with the United States government and the Chinese government also.

It is quite evident that technological advancements are quite important because they create better lifestyles. However, technology needs to be well monitored to ensure that by embracing it, we do not erode our positive cultural practices. In most cases when technology is unmonitored, it automatically changes the existing culture. Culture is a very important tool in discerning the negative and positive effects of technology; by creating a balance between the two, technological advancements can be adopted without causing negative effects to society.

Work Cited

1. Sandra. "Does Technology Impact Culture?". Media, culture & society. N.p., 2013. Web. 4 July 2016.
2. Butler, G. Jeremy. "Information Technology History - Outline." Tcf.ua.edu. N.p., 2016. Web. 4 July 2016.
3. Nikolov, Goran. "Top 9 Negative Impacts Of Technology On Society - Listaddicts." ListAddicts. N.p., 2015. Web. 4 July 2016.
4. Purdy, Rholetter, Elizabeth. "Social Media As Social Interaction.” Research Starters: Sociology". Ezproxy.umuc.edu. N.p., 2016. Web. 4 July 2016.