The convergence of different forms of technological inventions has transformed the world. There are various advantages attached to this apparent convergence. By evaluating the effect of technology in the society, it is clear that technology has become man’s habitat in the modern world. Most tasks including even the simplest ones are done by machines. However, the odds attached to the convergence of technology depict ethical concerns. The consequences have been overwhelming on the life of humanity. The problems have become universal. The main objective of these forms of technology relates to the improvement of human performance in the implementation of tasks. Various areas of convergence include Nanotechnology, Biotechnology (including genetic engineering), Information Technology and Cognitive Science. The ethical effects these concepts have in the society are tremendous and worth noting.
The technological convergences are characterized with relatively high costs of operations. This means that accessing the services in areas such as Nanotechnology has become a preserve of the wealthy. This introduces class struggles mirroring the Marxist theories. The class struggles occasion ethical concerns. The “have nots” cannot afford the technology costs and hence have to make do without.
Some gadgets have also substantively reduced the safety of individuals. In essence, a good demonstration in this can be seen in the Australian case of digital photographic mobile phones. These mobile forms can take and transmit photographs instantly to any site in the internet. The possibility of using these technologies in swimming pools, changing rooms and massage parlors is increasingly putting the safety of individuals at risk. It would be possible to capture the image of someone in compromising situations without his knowledge, a possibility made by this convergence in turn jeopardizing his safety. This example provides an illumination and or insight of the numerous situations occasioned consequent of the convergence. It has propagated fears and panic on the potential misuse of such technological gadgets. These situations have heightened fears of what more these technologies can do and the adverse nature of effects they have on normal life activities.
In conclusion, the legal, ethical and social concerns over the converging technologies have to be addressed before the fate of ethical viability is left in the hands of a few opportunistic individuals. The class struggles occasioned have substantial effects on the social interactions at least between the two groups. In fact, lately most crimes have changed from the typical forms into electronic based. Either one is employing the technology to rob others or taking away the technological gadgets themselves. It is critical that all persons be carried along in the developing technology. In as much as these technologies are aimed at saving lives and improving human performance in life, it widens the gap between the rich and the poor. This is ethically wrong. For example, Nanotechnology increases the life expectancy of rich individuals at the expense of those who are financially challenged. In general, the control of these aspects of technology should be put within the hands of dependable bodies which will ensure that ethics and social prospects are well addressed.
Bibliography
Raab, C., 2006. Fighting Terrorism in an Electronic Age: Does the Patriot Act Unduly Compromise Our Civil Liberties. Duke Law and Technology Review .
Roy, O., 2012. The Transformation of the Arab World. Journal of Democracy , 23(3), pp. 5-18.
Stair, R. M. & Reynolds, G. W., 2010. Fundamentals of Information Systems (7th ed.). Boston: Cengage Learning.
Weckert, J., 2009. Computer ethics: Future directions. Ethics and Information Technology, pp. 93-96.
