Technological Advancements and Modern Conveniences

Technology is an integral part of today’s home and/or work life. From the computers used, the vacuum cleaner that keeps floors clean, to the filters used to purify the air you breathe; you rely on scientific advancements for your health, entertainment, convenience, and comfort. While many modern inventions make life better, some may have serious negative consequences as well. In this week’s Discussion, you will explore the pros and cons of modern conveniences.

During the week address the following questions:

1. Take a look at the various technologies that you have in your home (e.g., family room, living room, or kitchen). What “common” items would a typical family have today that they could not possibly have had 100 years ago?
2. Have these technological advancements improved your quality of life? Why or why not?
3. Discuss the ways technology may negatively impact your life.
4. People often talk about the modern conveniences provided by technology, but they rarely discuss the long-term effects that these technologies might have on the world. Beyond the individual, explain how technological advancements impact the planet—either good or bad.
5. Propose a solution to the problems that technology may have caused to the environment and support your answer with a credible source(s) in APA format.

Just response each posted # 1 to 3

Posted 1

Hello Prof and Class,

Typically, common items such as a color TV, DVD player or gaming console in today’s typical family would not have been available 100 years ago.

Yes and no, these items have made it easier to rewind after a long day or relax on the weekend, but it influences communication in the family, instead of talking about each other’s day sometimes this technology takes over and you live past each other.

Technology can make you socially awkward or it can pull families apart since you spend more time watching the tv than appreciating what’s in your life, it also makes obesity a big issue because rather than exercise you would watch tv all day and nothing else.

Technologies can have a good or bad impact on the world depending on what kind of product it is. Social media can be good or bad, good because if some natural disaster happens 5000 miles away you would be able to know about it and if they need anything people use websites to get funds and people all around the world contribute to help people get back on their feet.

Since the invention of cars carbon monoxide has been an issue to the environment and even though the average fuel efficiency has more than doubled since 1977 it is still an issue (Austin & Macauley, 2001). Even though there are more and more electrical cars on the roads now than 10 years or even 5 years ago it is still a big issue. Regulations have been made to minimize the carbon footprint and cars now have up to 90 sensors to help regulate the engines and minimize carbon monoxide (Austin & Macauley, 2001).

Posted 2

1. Some of the technology in my home that would not have been available 100 years ago include the Apple TVs, Xbox, Home Pod, internet, iPhones, Apple watches and computers.
2. In many ways these technologies have improved my life. Our college kids talk more to my husband by playing Xbox together with the headsets, even when they are far away at college. Both sons and my husband communicate almost nightly in this way. I’m also able to come home at the end of a long work day and attend college, without leaving my home. When the weather is bad, I can work from home, or anywhere, if I have internet.
3. The biggest negative for me personally is that I’m always available for work. I’ve had to leave work to take my daughter to the hospital, pull my computer from my backpack and forward information for a meeting, while in the emergency room. It’s great that they supply me with an iPhone and computer, but it means I’m always available.
4. A global environmental issue is the amount of toxic waste discarded electronics produce. Electronics can contain lead, silver, mercury and flame-retardants (Ahmed, 2016).
5. One way to help reduce e-waste, is to repair electronics rather than to throw them out when they malfunction. Do we always need the most up to date smart phone? Maybe holding onto our phones, iPads and electronic devices a little longer can go a long way to reduce waste. There also needs to be more e-waste recycling centers to reduce the amount of toxins being thrown into landfills (Ahmed, 2016).

Ahmed, S. F. (2016, September 29). The global cost of electronic waste. In The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/201…

Posted 3

Good Afternoon Class,

Things I have in my living room that are very common in many other homes are the TV and the radio or home theater. 100 years ago, it was not common to find a radio and/or a TV in the living room of family homes. These technological advances can be seen as an improvement in people’s quality life. For example, we are now more aware of what is happening in the world. News and information is spread faster throughout the different programs in radio and television. In a matter of minutes, we can get to know if something huge is happening across the globe, and so on. A few ways I can think of how technology might have impacted my life in a negative way are the following:

• Having a less active life.
• Spending less quality time with my family.
• Getting more comfortable and relying on technology for daily tasks. For example, shopping online instead of going to the store.

Technological advancements impact the planet more negatively than positively. The production of all these technologies pollute the planet. And, many of the new products created thanks to technology add more pollutants to air and the environment. For example, the replacement of soup for detergent. The production of detergent requires three times more energy than soap adding more stress to the environment (uow.edu, n.d.). A solution that can help the environment to get less greenhouse gas emission and reduces our dependency of energy produced from fossil fuels is to install solar panels in our homes and businesses. Solar energy is clean coming from the sun and doesn’t emit gases neither harm the environment (ucsusa, n.d.).