Is Technology Ruining Society

Human beings have 3 basic requirements for survival: food, clothing, and shelter. (yes and air) Most people will argue that this list is incomplete without including Cellular phone.  While it is true that the cell phone is the last thing people look at before going to sleep and the first thing people look at when they wake up, it was only about 14 years ago when a cell phone was seen as a luxury instead of a necessity.  Imagine a time when people had to go long periods of time without knowing the name of that actor in that movie, or when people had to actually look at a map (or visit a local AAA) before a long road trip.  We have come a long way as a people, and the rate at which technology is changing our lives is increasing exponentially.  With technology developers so focused on what they can do, perhaps it is time to start questioning what they should do.  Is technology always a good thing?  Are we still progressing or is technology actually ruining society?

In order to develop your argument, you should read each of the articles below.  In addition, you should research the topic further in order to defend your position on whether technology is helping or hurting society.  You will then answer the following questions:

1) Explain one way in which technology has been positive for society.
2) Explain one way in which technology has been negative for society.
3) Do you believe that technology is more beneficial or damaging for young people?  Explain.
4) Overall, do you believe that technology is ruining society?  Why or why not?

http://www.inquisitr.com/1468612/steve-jobs-didnt-let-his-kids-use-iphones-or-ipads-heres-why/
http://ideas.time.com/2012/11/29/how-to-use-technology-to-make-you-smarter/
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mr-personality/201305/is-technology-making-us-stupid-and-smarter
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-smart-technology-can-make-us-dumb/
http://news.usc.edu/54256/the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-online-technology/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-nelson/too-much-technology-is-bad-for-the-brain_b_5448015.html
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/02/27/is-the-internet-bad-for-society-and-relationships
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shelly-palmer/technology-good-or-bad_b_4981309.html
http://news.essilorusa.com/stories/detail/children-and-technology-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly