There are a number of factors to consider when trying to understand the human condition in today’s world. These include advances in technology and humanity’s effect on the environment. There are other factors to consider, however this article will focus on these two factors.
advances in technology
The advancement of technology is changing the human condition. It is not just the advancement of technology, but the rate at which it is changing. Throughout human history, advances in science and technology have been transforming the way we live. Today, the rate at which it is changing is staggering. Consider the advent of the computer and the Internet. These technologies have transformed the way we do business and communicate with each other. It seems like everyone has a smartphone these days. These devices are phones that are packed with electronics that would be considered a supercomputer when man first stepped on the moon and launched the first space shuttle. These phones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and can easily record any event and broadcast it over the Internet using numerous social media platforms, literally at the speed of light. All human events are now being covered by potentially 3.5 billion smartphones as of 2020 and the number is growing every day.
These advances in computer technology also mean that there are cameras located everywhere that monitor our every move. These videos are recorded and stored on hundreds of thousands of web servers around the world.
Workplace video surveillance is everywhere and accepted as the norm by most employees. Can you say big brother? Do employers have the right to monitor their employees using video cameras? Unfortunately, the use of video cameras in the workplace is quite common in places like Canada.
The effect of humanity on the environment
It seems like every time you watch the news there is talk about how humanity is affecting the climate in a negative way. There is always talk of climate change and how the related general warming of the planet will increase the number of extreme weather events. This means more hurricanes, floods, and wildfires that are completely out of control. Just ask people who live in Western Canada, California, and Southeast Asia.
Of course, humanity’s effect on the environment is not just limited to the land. The effects on the environment can be seen in rivers, lakes and oceans. These bodies of water are being clogged with plastic and various toxic chemicals.
One source claimed that eight million tons of plastic waste is dumped into the oceans every year in 2015 and the overall effect of this will mean there will be a tenfold increase in the amount of plastic waste by 2020.
This affects not only the defenseless creatures living in these environments, but also the people living in the surrounding area.
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