Introduction
The development of technology has affected the complexity of social development. Technology is intruding into our daily lives. Even though we argue that it has greatly simplified many processes that we normally go through in life, it is important to remember that it has also affected the social developments. There are many issues that have developed that affect the way we live our lives. We are left wondering whether the innovations on technology are enhancing our lives or invading our privacy. This paper will focus on the many technological fixations that have been seen in the world. Technology has been used to fix the problems that we face in life (Bayer, and Amy 89).
There are arguments that have been put forth by politicians about how surveillance is helping us. We are reminded about the importance of security processes that are used to protect the citizens. We are shown how we should be flexible to the use of these cameras and how our security will be improved. We are reminded about the benefits that come with closed circuit cameras. The arguments are convincingly argued so that we tend to believe that we are safe with the installation if these systems. We are told that information about filing in the airports is used to track terrorists. Measures that invoke lack of privacy to the public have been introduced to the public. Filing information about airline passengers has been introduced. It is true that we were attacked on September 2001 but it is hard for the same attack to be used. What convincing argument can be given for the different approaches that have been taken for the information that are taken in airports? Scanning of emails has been introduced to curb insecurity in the cyberspace. All these are told so that the justification can be evident or made to be evident to the public. With the developments that are seen in the security processes and the technology that has been used in this aspect, it is easier to convince the public that the use of surveillance and spying is for the sake of security. In all these processes, there is the invasion of privacy (Bayer, and Amy 73).
Surveillance has been introduced to curb the security pandemic that we have been facing since the rampant attacks that we have been going through. Surveillance is an issue that has both arguments, for and against. We might be winning the battle on security with the use of surveillance systems. On the other hand, the cost of this technological innovation is far more than the financial expenses that we meet. There are other costs that we meet with the installation of surveillance systems. We seem to be losing a lot of things with the installation of surveillance. The extent at which we are losing privacy is alarming.
Artificial intelligence and robots
There has been rising concern about the intelligence that is being developed with artificial intelligence. Scientists in computer science are concerned about the way robots and intelligent machines are bringing disruptions in the social world. There is concern that computers are rendering human beings as useless. They are disrupting the way social life is being reshaped. Markoff (2009) states that artificial intelligence is taking on jobs which were initially done by the humans. He went ahead and gives examples of areas where artificial intelligence is taking jobs that are done by human beings. These are medical sector, and moist domestic tasks that are done by these. In another breath, there was concern by biology scientists about the developments of DNA and how this can be used in genetic engineering to change the genetic composition of living organisms. This has brought a lot of debates and thus allowing scientists to have a look at the advancement in research concerning this. The advancement in artificial intelligence science has been linked with religious beliefs that they are unveiling what will happen in future.
The main concern that is raised by the scientists is the fact that technology is changing the way social life is carried out. There are changes in the social life so that human beings are supposed to learn to live with machines. This is changing and making the perceptions of machines complex. The alarming thing is the way artificial intelligence is failing to improve human life and instead is worsening the social life of human beings. Artificial intelligence is supposed to improve human life and not worse it. ‘
It is interesting that artificial intelligence has gone to an extent of simulating empathy to humans. I do not fully condemn the research and the new inventions that is being done in science. My contribution is that there should be a body that will control and regulate the inventions that are being undertaken by scientists so that those new inventions that are seen to disrupt the processes of human life should be eradicated and blocked from taking place. The systems and inventions that help to improve the lives of human beings should be encouraged. This will take care of disruptive scientific innovations.
What are we willing to sacrifice for security?
For fear of being attacked or invaded, there are many instances where we have gone too much in search of privacy. There are many things that we are losing in the quest for security. The security systems and procedures that have been installed for security reasons do not warrant the main purpose of being installed. Research shows that the main reason and purpose for installing surveillance system is for security purposes. According to researchers, surveillance is being installed for security purposes. In most nations currently, they still serve the same purpose; the cameras are installed so as to improve security and also act as equipment for tracking criminals. According to their view, crimes have been reduced since surveillance was put in place. They noted that the thorny issue that crops up when surveillance cameras are discussed is that of security. It is beyond reasonable doubts that privacy is compromised in the name of security. Coming to think of privacy, security is much important than privacy, they, therefore, believe that when comparing between the two issues, security will come first. They therefore sought that it is important that security side be thoroughly analyzed before any accusations are directed at the police. This is the sacrifice that we have made in order to achieved security in our systems. This is uncalled for as we have valued security more than privacy. This raises the argument that there are some instances where security cameras are engaged too much. There are instances where washrooms and ablution have been installed with CCTV cameras! They argued that in such instances privacy has been invaded. People should have their privacy while they are answering call of nature. Even criminals have to be assured of this. They concluded that there are altenative ways of tracking criminals when privacy is of paramount importance. There is a strong conviction that surveillance has reduced the shooting of children in most areas. If there were many cameras spreading in the area, there would be less crime spread in the area. In addition, if cameras are not directed at other people’s houses, there are no issues that can be associated with surveillance cameras. Given the fact that crime is committed in the street and in areas where thugs and terrorists regards as safe, these area should be under surveillance cameras. It is for the good and safety of many citizens.
Despite the fact that surveillance cameras provide security as well as giving solid evidences it has raised legal debates; this is because many have a feeling that their rights are violated whenever these cameras are put in place. Moreover, privacy laws have been invaded in public places. PIPEDA is among the many privacy laws that were put in place so as to govern the use of those cameras. It states that the targeted persons should be aware that they are being taped and only during extreme situations. In order to minimize privacy invasion, the use of surveillance cameras should be regulated. Camera surveillance is actually against the rights of people who are being taped. A number of scholars have reported that Judges do not bring out the case as expected as they rely mostly on their own personalities such as emotions and beliefs which result in conflicts. Every case brought before the court is tackled according to the experiences and attitudes prevailing at that time on the judge. In this regard therefore, wrong assumptions are reached thereby law broken (Ullman 83).
Cloning
With the hype that we see with the introduction of cloning technology, there are a lot of bad effects that come with this technology. When this technology is assessed, one is left wondering, we have left DNA variations to scientists so that they the ones deciding what varieties of species, plants, animals, and even human beings we should have. Cloning is more of letting scientists to control the developments and the reproduction system that we have had. This is more or less dictatorship. The argument here is that cloning will change the reproduction and the scientists will force us to adopt new species. What if new plants are cloned and the ones that we have known and made use are gradually phased out? These are the issues that come up with the development of this technology. There are no laws that govern the developments in this technology. This kind of leaves scientists to dictate to us what we should have. The cost of cloning is still exorbitantly high. What this means is that if laws are bent in years to come so that this will now be the new method of reproduction, then that means that reproduction of new organisms will be a preserve of the wealthy and affluent. Is this not forcing us to accept the way life should be carried out.
Terror attacks and its relation to privacy
With the wave attacks that are seen all over the world in target of America, there are new technologies which have been introduced in many processes. The use of biometric passports have been seen to be common with most airports, this is a new way of monitoring and invading into the privacy of many individuals. With the development security issues that have been seen with the advent of terrorist attacks, there has been the development of US Patriot Act. This act has helped in enhancing security of the country. Although this is the case, there are issues that have been assumed and ignored in the attainment of this act. Terrorism and privacy are two issues that are seen to affect the security of American citizens. The relationship between terrorist attacks and privacy and freedom of the citizens is seen to be indirectly proportional. Terrorism has been the measure of how far we are willing to lose our privacy in order to achieve security. One factor that has been pushing this issue to the extreme ends is the terrorist attacks and the government of United States has taken measures to ensure security. There is a feeling that this has gone to extreme extent. The measures that have been taken by the US government in the name of Patriot Act is intrusive to the citizens and goes much deeper to affect the privacy of the citizens (Ullman 82).
Technology has been seen to be a new platform where terrorism will take place. There are lots of measures that have been introduced to check internet use. With the explosion of the internet and information technology use, it is claimed that the use of tracking will help to check security in the cyberspace. On close scrutiny, this might not be the case as there are concerns about the way citizens use the internet. There is a need to have control measures to check their power and voice over the internet.
The terrorist attacks have been the main reason why the privacy of Americans has been compromised. After the attacks which happened in the United States, the Congress agreed in one voice to have laws that would counter terrorism. This was undertaken in the quest to have safe America and security of the citizens of America. The main intention was to ensure that terrorism was fought in the United States and indeed, the whole world. Terrorism was not common before the attacks and there has been invasion of privacy of American citizens in search of information about attackers who are at large. The Patriot Act, under surveillance act was one of the laws that were enacted in the United States that enabled the government to spy on innocent Americans in their normal activities. They allow the government to expand on their spying activities and track mobile communication for their citizens. The Surveillance act also allows the government to track the banking activities for the citizens. Tracking takes place every time people visit a site. The reason is that the sites are interconnected so that one site will provide information to another site. The sites that are interconnected grow exponentially. The problem is that the trackers undertake tracking without getting permission from the internet user permission. Tracking takes place without the knowledge of the users. This is wrong and unlawful. The author has some reservations about tracking. The concern here is on the times that people are being tracked. Tracking has its benefits. It makes surfing easier and also helps in remembering very important sites that the user obtained important information.
West states as police states
The west states have been steadily heading to becoming police states. There are surveillance everywhere from surveillance cameras which have been installed in the streets, to the internet and spying on our internet communication. We are left with many questions as to whether all these surveillance which are taking place are a measure to protect us from invasion or measures that the big brother state is using to assess the level of resistance to the new world order. All the measures are taken to be the strategies that are making the west states to be police states. There are The western societies, who are claiming that they are becoming democratized, pressurize and enforce laws which are oppressive in the hope to instill fear to the public. This way, we will comply in exchange of security. The western democracies are now becoming police states in their quest and pretence of taking care of security in the countries.
The World Wide Web and trusted computing
The promise of trusted computing is that there will be more security with the use of this technology. With the use of trusted computing, only little software is installed in the computer. This software is tested and trusted. Although the use of scanning and wiretapping of emails will catch some small criminals, there is exposure of the personal information. The people who are engaged in this monitoring process will gain all kinds of private information. This is information that the owner might not be in a position to share with the local police station. This is an issue that has come up with the use of information systems to solve all sociological issues.
The next 20 years in technology
The future technology is even worse for everyone. There are many developments that are seen in the world today. With nanotechnology that is being developed, the potential ofinnovations using minute particles cannot be fathomed. Nanotechnology deals with minute particles, which are in the range of 1-100nm. These are emerging therapeutics in treating cancer. With nanotechnology, there are sensitive devices, which have been designed in the nanoscale like cantilevers, nano tubes and quantum. These devices offer the possibility to detect the smallest signs of molecules that have signs of malignancy. Our systems will be introduced with neuroscience. This is something that is developing.
Conclusion
With the advancement of technology and the possibility to have the whole world controlled by technology, western nations are seen to be dictators in their surveillance and the scrutiny on the movements of citizens. We are being forced into pressures of the west on the quest to control the world.
Works Cited
Bayer, Ronald, and Amy L. Fairchild. "Surveillance and privacy." Public Health Ethics: Theory, Policy, And Practice (2007): 255.
Ullman, Richard H. "Redefining security." International security 8.1 (1983): 129-153.
