The concept of science and technology is understood based on the period and the mental view of society. Technology has turned the world into a small global village by simplifying processes like transport and communication. Science and technology are responsible for economic development and environmental degradation in the world today (McClellan, 45). It is essential to note that science and technology are being used to develop the necessary measures to counteract environmental degradation. What is the importance of Science and Technology in the modern world? This paper provides proof and examples to show the contribution and importance of science and technology in the world today.
Science is defined as the systematic study of the physical and the natural world through practical experiments and observation. Technology means the application of scientific knowledge for the purpose of practice. Therefore, science and technology involves the study of the natural and physical world to obtain knowledge, which is applied for practical reasons. According to history, the modern world designates the time around 1500 BC when many nations in Europe began developing and expanding their powers. The major characteristics of the modern world is that change is easy to accept. Furthermore, the people in the modern world believe that economic development and technology will affect their development.
First, science and technology has led to increase in food production, which started during the period of agrarian revolution. The plow was among the first technologies used to improve food production. The technological advancement in food production is characterized by the use of tractors in farming; use of fertilizers and the application of scientific procedures to ensure food safety is not compromised. Science and technology made it possible for humankind to store food for a long time without spoiling. The increase in food production explains the increase in the world population, which started around the time that humankind abandoned hunting and gathering as a means of finding food.
Science and technology have expanded the globe since it has made transport and communication. It is responsible for the invention of telephones, which has made it possible for people in different places to communicate easily. The coming of the steam engine revolutionized the transport sector because people could travel long distance in a relatively shorter time. This has been made better by the invention of the diesel engine, which is more efficient and cheaper than the steam engine. The ability of human beings to travel to far places made it possible for different cultures to interact. The interaction of different cultures led to new inventions in terms of social life and practices. Science and Technology led to the growth of trade worldwide. This is because it is possible for different people very far away to do business with no problems at all. Science and technology have also turned the world into a global village because it is easy for people to interact. This has greatly minimized the differences among the different cultures in the world.
The growth in science and technology has led to increase in environmental degradation. Issues of global warming have been the focal point of global discussions as the world tries to save the environment. This has led to increase in natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, which has claimed many lives. Global warming has been caused by increased in carbon (IV) oxide emissions, in the atmospheres. Furthermore, science and technology has led to the creation of industries, which emit harmful gases that contain chlorofluorocarbons, which deplete the ozone layer. Increase in chronic diseases like cancer is attributed to the harmful emissions that interfere with natural make up of cells in humans. However, science and technology has been applied to help avoid further environmental damage. The introduction of alternative power sources like wind turbines, solar technology and hydropower.
Science and technology are responsible for great strides in the medical industry. This contributed to economic growth in the modern world because life expectancy improved. In addition, the number of people dying from preventable disease greatly reduced. Improvement in the health sector coupled with an increase in agricultural production is responsible for the increase in the world population.
Technology and development have influenced the view of thing like the marriage and the relationship between a man and a woman. It has led to a society that is grappling with issues of equality and the real meaning of marriage. Science and technology have led to increase in literacy levels. Increase in literacy levels has led to women fighting for equality. The view of marriage has changed as a result of increase in science and technology. There are increases in the rate of divorce, which implies that divine concept of marriage has changed.
Science and technology have also influenced the view of religion in the society (Bridgstock, 89). In the old times, a cultural group had one common religion that all the people believed. However, globalization has led to changes religion. In the old tradition, religion formed the center of the society and provided guidance. However, in the modern world the number of people who believe in science only have increased. Religion lost part of its influence because science could explain some things that were considered supernatural in the old tradition world.
The effect of science and technology extends to the mental view of society. For example, the people who lived during the start of the industrial revolution believed that they had the most recent technology. On the contrary, the people in the recent world view the technology of the industrial revolution as simple. The developments in science and technology has influenced the society in terms of social habits. The growth in the computer industry has seen the invention of computer games, which are popular among kids. This has influenced the social habits of children living in the modern world. Children spent most of their time in computers and video games. They have no time to relate with other human beings, which results to poor social habits. The level of interaction between individuals has been significantly reduced. Instead, the level of interaction between human beings and machines is still increasing (Wallerstein, 78).
In conclusion, science and technology has influenced the modern world both positively and negatively. The positive influence includes an increase in levels of literacy, technological advancement and greater understanding of the nature. The negative influences include degradation of social behavior, damage of the environment and the loss of humanity. Science and technology have led to a world of selfish beings who have no care for other people. These people live secluded from the rest of the world and form close connections with machines. Without a doubt, science and technology is pivotal in the modern world.
Works Cited
Bridgstock, Martin. Science, Technology and Society: An Introduction. Cambridge, En: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Print.
McClellan, James E, and Harold Dorn. Science and Technology in World History: An Introduction. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006. Internet resource.
Wallerstein, Immanuel. The Modern World-System Iii: The Second Era of Great Expansion of the Capitalist World-Economy, 1730s-1840s, with a New Prologue. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2011. Internet resource.
