How much Technology is Too much Technology?

This was just an example for stating that the innovations and inventions that we are using today on a daily basis were once unknown to humans. Any invention always faces contrasting judgment depending on the people being affected from the invention directly or indirectly!

The world has been evolving for millions of years, and technology would further facilitate the evolution of humans! Mobile phones a few decades ago did feel like too much tech, but today, we cannot imagine our lives without it! Its application, benefit and the amount of its usage depend on us. Over-usage of anything is termed as harmful and hence, any invention consciously needs to be consumed and utilized with certain restrictions.

There are many visions of what our hyper-connected future might look like. We see brands packaging countless variants on the shiny-techie-future vision theme every day. Artificial intelligence and virtual reality are set to take over the next phase of digital evolution. Its application of this tech to various industries at a global scale is immense! 

For example: An on-going study on the ‘mind-reading’ technology, ‘device-less phones’, etc. might feel like too much technology today. But if we take a step back and look at the mind-reading technology’s application in the medical field to understand coma patients or patients who are unable to speak then, it can be a great breakthrough for medical professionals.

In an ever-evolving landscape, the significance of regulation becomes increasingly evident, although navigating it can be complex. One might question the ideal extent of regulation: how much is truly beneficial or sufficient? Historical instances such as the introduction of lead through paint technology into households before its subsequent ban, or the use of CFCs in refrigerators and sprays prior to recognizing their detrimental impact on the ozone layer and subsequent prohibition, illustrate the challenge at hand. It is crucial to swiftly identify these potential hazards and establish well-calibrated regulations that not only accommodate innovative applications but also prioritize safety and the collective well-being.

With each new technological advancement, a realm of challenges arises, yet it also ushers in a plethora of opportunities. Throughout history, there have been pessimistic forecasts about the potential negative impact of emerging technologies. 

However, we have been consistent in adapting and prospering in diverse fields such as medical science, space exploration, communication, and countless others that have been positively influenced by technology.

Hence, there is nothing like ‘too much technology’! It’s not even good, bad or evil in itself. It’s how people choose to use it!

Some thoughts

Though every new technology brings with its challenges, so does it bring many opportunities. 

There have always been dystopian predictions of where new tech will take us, but we have endured, survived and thrived; be it in medical science, space travel, communication or the myriad fields that technology has touched.

The role of the regulatory

As the pace of change evolves, regulation becomes important, eminent, but also tricky. One might actually ask, how much regulation is good or good enough? Paint technology brought lead into our homes, long before regulations were made to ban them. Refrigerators and sprays had CFCs long before we realized how they depleted the ozone and eventually banned them. 

The true challenge lies with recognising these pitfalls faster and creating optimal regulations around them that leave space for innovative use and balances with safety and the greater good.