Reflection 3

"How changes in technology impact on the way humans communicate, and the ethical issues that surround these changes"

Technology has become a fundamental part of our everyday life. It has revolutionised our daily routines, but if there is one thing that has evolved beyond recognition on the way we interact amongst society and individuals. However, it needs to be considered as to how dependant we have become to technology and the ethical issues surrounding these changes.

The most significant impact of technology on communication is the spread of the Internet and the possibility of sending emails and chatting. In the pre-information technology days, a document often required re-typing on the typewriter before the final version. Sending the letter across a distance to someone else required a visit to the post office and a postage stamp. Faster methods such as telegrams had severe limitations in text and were quite costly.

The huge amount of knowledge accessible by a click of the mouse has helped improve the quality of communication. Translating a text from an unfamiliar language to a familiar language, seeking out the meaning of an unknown word, and getting follow up information on an unfamiliar concept are all possible thanks to the internet. Technology allows easy storage and retrieval of communication when needed, especially verbal communication, the storage of which was very difficult before. It now becomes easier to rewind and clear misconceptions rather than make assumptions, or contacting the person again to clear doubt. (Stahl.B, 2016)

The answer to the question of how technology has changed communication is incomplete without a mention of technology's role in the democratization of communication systems. Technology has brought down the costs of communication significantly and improved people’s access. The increase of online forums, live coverage of news, and other such media-related initiatives have resulted in world wide access and participation in news and information for almost everyone. In the realm of business, access to communication or privileged information was hitherto a major source of competitive advantage. Technology helps remove such barriers and ensure a level playing field in this aspect for the most part.

(WORD COUNT: 330)

Trading books for tablets (Cortez.M, 2013)

Stahl, B., Timmermans, J., & Flick, C. (2016). Ethics of Emerging Information and Communication Technologies. Science And Public Policy, scw069. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scw069

Technology shaping society. (2017). Retrieved from http://marccortez.com/2013/07/02/7-concerns-about-how-technology-shapes-modern-life/