The Positive Effect of Technology on Different Cultures
There has been a strong interrelationship between technology and culture. Culture is defined as the way of behaving and thinking that describe a particular group of people while technology is the collection of knowledge available to the society that helps in practicing skills and arts, crafting tools, and accumulating or extracting of materials. There is no specific start point that shows the relationship between the two, but they continue to influence each other as they develop and change with time (Thornburn, 1). Cultures around the globe have been reshaped by developments in communications, manufacturing, and engineering by enabling different people from different cultures to exchange information.
Technology has positive influences on cultures around the globe. For example, in the 19th century, technology inclined American culture. Companies started using machines to manufacture goods that had been initially made at home. The initial key manufacturing influence permitted people to buy goods from stores instead of making everything from scratch. This played a vital role in saving people’s time that they could have used to prepare other goods for their families. The use of machinery reduced the need for skilled employees. Technology further enabled the people of America to buy replacement parts from stores instead of making them themselves. It also led to increase in output. As people started buying more goods than they made by hand, they had time to do activities of individual interest resulting in the development of leisure activities.
Technology has further changed the manner in which farmer’s plant and harvest their crops. For instance, most farmers use machines as opposed to manual labor that they used before technological advancements (Thornburn 1). In addition, technology has improved services when it comes to importing and exporting of goods and services. For instance, the use of computers enables nations to keep track of goods that are being exported and imported. The use of barges and trucks makes exportation of goods faster and safer unlike in the past. Additionally, technology has changed ways of communication in the world. Families and friends can communicate through the use of instant messaging and video chat (Marshal 1).
The interrelationship between technology and culture is evident across the globe. In the 19th century, European nations like the Great Britain assembled seeds and plants around the globe. The study of plants indicated that those that controlled plants had international power. Additionally, the discovery of rubber and its vital uses by Europeans highly influenced the culture of the people of Singapore and Amazon (Sandra 1). Prior to the introduction of rubber in Singapore, people used to plant subsistence crops. It is clear that with the introduction of new plants in a region affects people’s culture.
Technology has further changed the way people relate. For instance, people working in the same place or individuals staying in the same room can watch varied screens and communicate with people in different places (Sandra 1). This changed the way people interrelate with one another in a society. Additionally, technology has enabled people to hold meeting and conferences online instead of holding meeting at work or in the dining room.
Technology has further reduced the burden of waking up in the morning to go and attend classes. Presently, there are several educational programs online and this has reduced the cost of education.
In conclusion, technology has changed the way in which people do things and their way of life. It is a high time that people should embrace technology to ease ways of doing things. For instance, people can study online without physically attending lessons in classrooms.
Works Cited
Thornburn. “Technology and Culture: A Circle of Influence”. Global Studies. N.P., 2010. Web. 1 May 2017.
Marshal, Nahema. “How Is Digital Technology Changing Africa’s Cultural Landscape?” OkayAfrica. N.P., 2017. Web. 1 May 2017.
Sandra. “Does Technology Impact Culture?” media, culture & society. N.P., 2017. Web. 1 May 2017.