Objective 1.02

Recognize and describe the interaction of technology and society

Impacts of Technology

Weighing the trade-offs to determine if technology is feasible refers to impacts of technology.

• Can be positive or negative • Intended or unintended• Expected or unexpected

IMPACTS OF TECHNOLOGY

• Society• Culture• Economy• Environmental• Politics• Ethical

Considerations

Impacts of Technology

The fact that we tolerate some technologies, even though they have negative impacts on us is a trade-off.

Impacts of Technology

Birth defects caused by industrial pollution is an unexpected impact of technology.

Affordable products for the masses is a desirable impact of technology.

Impacts of TechnologyTechnology Affects: Example of Ways that Technology Affects

these Areas:

Society 1. Everything below and more.

Culture 1. American culture is a very informed culture due the availability of communication devices.

         2. Americans have the freedom to travel due to the interstate highway system and cars being

able to be manufactured inexpensively.

Economy 1. Development of better products makes the economy stronger.

         2. Printing press and molds used to make currency.3. The assembly line enables various products to be

mass produced.

Environmental 1. Cutting down the trees to build a parking lot hurts the environment.

         2. Building codes and laws that protect the environment.

Impacts of TechnologyTechnology Affects: Example of Ways that Technology Affects

these Areas:

Politics 1. Laws developed for trade.

         2. Laws for medical practices and cloning.

         3. Advancements in technology lead to better foreign policies, laws, and other policies.

         4. Ability for everyone to know what is going on in our country through communication. For example, with the widespread use of television and the Internet, citizens

are better informed on political issues and news. As a result, people are becoming more savvy voters and in an indirect way are taking more responsibility for participating in their own government.

Ethical Considerations 1. Cloning, is it right or wrong?

         2. What will happen once we know the DNA make-up of human beings?

         3. The President of the United States placing a moratorium on human cloning.