Stepping into a classroom full of unfamiliar faces and an environment that has been a stranger to me since school ended last year, I braced myself for the first lesson of the semester in a module that I had little background knowledge in. Rather apprehensive about my ability to grasp Technology And World Change, I was relieved when the professor gathered our individual views on our understanding of the subject and gave personalised comments that served the purpose of correcting our misconceptions and building our foundation on the topic. The feedback and discussion has reinforced my understanding and gave me greater confidence to both speak up in class and to pursue the subject.
From the class sharing session, I gained many interesting insights on what technology and world change is about. Ideas such as technology being unpredictable, limitless and neutral were thrown out for discussion. Personally, I view technology as being omnipresent and even integrated within our lives, where mankind's use of it has completely revolutionalised the way we live. Although technology can facilitate accessibility, learning, connectivity and communication, it can also be used in a way that can be detrimental and destructive to areas such as our environment, personal safety and even national security. Thus, I believe that while technology is made available to everyone and we enjoy the privilege of using it according to our free will, it is our responsibility to stay close to our ethical values and utilise technology in a way that will not cause harm to both ourselves and others around us. (For instance, the use of contemporary information technology in the form of the Internet can be a tool to increase our knowledge as it acts a platform for us to share and exchange information or enhance our sense of community when it allows us to forge wider and closer links with others. However, when not used properly, technology can turn its back on us and take a huge, painful bite out of us. Cyber bullying, illegal and illegitimate sharing of pictures and videos, hacking of our personal information are just some examples of how technology can be destructive to us if we do not practice moderation or effectively discern right from wrong when making use of technology.)
Following the course outline, we did a review on "Guns, Germs and Steel". It was interesting to find out about the rise of civilisations through the documentary that was screened in class and I gained a better understanding of human prehistory and the need for agriculture, specialisation, technology and the continuous willingness to step out of our comfort zones to innovate and improve. What really struck me after watching a segment of the video was the disparity between the advancements of different societies. While civilisations like the European countries have developed and flourished, others like the New Guinean community have unfortunately lagged behind in its technological progress with its people being forced to bear the consequences and suffer in relative poverty as a result of this inequality. This is reflected in Yali's question in the documentary when he asked why the "white people" possess so much more than the "blacks" or the New Guineans. It is a thought-provoking and rather heart-wrenching question that really reaches into one's soul as we start to ponder over the roots of inequality and possibly even broach the controversial subject on racial discrimination. Based on my understanding of the documentary and the book itself, it is perceived that the playing fields of prehistory were not level in the first place and people on different continents of the world had already differed greatly in their rate of development since the start. For example, stone technology was first encountered by European explorers, giving white man an advantage over the rest through their possession of these novel stone tools. Similarly, metal technology that was useful for industrialisation (a process that created both exports and jobs that was essential in boosting a country's economy and aiding its prosperity) also started from the "whites" when it is noted that the mass production of bronze tools were first established in Eurasia before the knowledge was carried on to South America. Overall, it seemed that there was a clear distinction between the wealth, power and status of different peoples due to them being of different cultures and races. It is shocking that this concept of power being determined by race and skin colour has in fact being present since the prehistoric times and this controversy over racial biasness is now protracted as a pressing issue into the present. What exactly is giving white man their advantage over the rest of the population? The potential idea of geographical location would come into mind as we explore the possibility that a less isolated country with a more strategic positioning would be given more economic opportunities compared to one that is faraway and less accessible. Perhaps, good geographical positioning could have also given Europeans the advantage when they are able to grow the most productive crops and animals that have facilitated their development in guns, germs and steel; described to be the combination of the most powerful forces of conquest that were crucial in crafting human history. Another plausible explanation could stem from the fact that white man have in many instances been colonial masters before and would thus have enjoyed the economic and territorial expansion among other benefits of colonialism. This brings me to a question that the professor had asked during the seminar that had really sparked my curiosity. Why then did New Guineans not develop things that had trappings of the modern world even with the knowledge that their "more superior" counterparts were innovating rapidly? According to Jared Diamond, this is because "New Guineans had only a few native crops that they could grow, and no native farm animals, while my ancestors, even 10,000 years ago, had been blessed with an abundance of domestic plants and animals." He also mentions that, "Over the centuries, this had given them a huge advantage that led them develop cities, nations and even colonies abroad." This then brings us back to the importance of agriculture and farming in bringing about civilisation. It is the domestication of species and the cultivation of crops that has helped certain societies to advance and create specialisation that could lead to positive benefits such as trade that can enhance the country's economic growth and further increase its ability for research and development. Through this study of the rise of civilisations, I have also learnt the importance of understanding the history of interaction among heterogenous groups of peoples (For example, conquests and colonialism) as past events are vital in shaping our responses that are used to mould the modern world.
Another key message that I have taken away from the lesson is the importance of staying hungry for progress because the lack of contentment would constitute one's desire to learn more and want more. This is essential in motivating new technological innovations as well as drive world change with the new expectations we have. We would not want to fall under the same plight of countries such as China whom after attaining her status as the richest country, committed a grave mistake of closing her doors to the outside world with their belief that they had all the solutions to their problems and required no external help or trade. This period of isolation led to a drastic decline in China's growth and caused them to hinder their own development. Similarly, religion has also ended up becoming an inhibitor of learning where it was the stimulation of education previously. This is reflected in Islamic societies that have turned insular, disregarding science and worshipping religion as their answer to their problems instead.
Following the course outline, we did a review on "Guns, Germs and Steel". It was interesting to find out about the rise of civilisations through the documentary that was screened in class and I gained a better understanding of human prehistory and the need for agriculture, specialisation, technology and the continuous willingness to step out of our comfort zones to innovate and improve. What really struck me after watching a segment of the video was the disparity between the advancements of different societies. While civilisations like the European countries have developed and flourished, others like the New Guinean community have unfortunately lagged behind in its technological progress with its people being forced to bear the consequences and suffer in relative poverty as a result of this inequality. This is reflected in Yali's question in the documentary when he asked why the "white people" possess so much more than the "blacks" or the New Guineans. It is a thought-provoking and rather heart-wrenching question that really reaches into one's soul as we start to ponder over the roots of inequality and possibly even broach the controversial subject on racial discrimination. Based on my understanding of the documentary and the book itself, it is perceived that the playing fields of prehistory were not level in the first place and people on different continents of the world had already differed greatly in their rate of development since the start. For example, stone technology was first encountered by European explorers, giving white man an advantage over the rest through their possession of these novel stone tools. Similarly, metal technology that was useful for industrialisation (a process that created both exports and jobs that was essential in boosting a country's economy and aiding its prosperity) also started from the "whites" when it is noted that the mass production of bronze tools were first established in Eurasia before the knowledge was carried on to South America. Overall, it seemed that there was a clear distinction between the wealth, power and status of different peoples due to them being of different cultures and races. It is shocking that this concept of power being determined by race and skin colour has in fact being present since the prehistoric times and this controversy over racial biasness is now protracted as a pressing issue into the present. What exactly is giving white man their advantage over the rest of the population? The potential idea of geographical location would come into mind as we explore the possibility that a less isolated country with a more strategic positioning would be given more economic opportunities compared to one that is faraway and less accessible. Perhaps, good geographical positioning could have also given Europeans the advantage when they are able to grow the most productive crops and animals that have facilitated their development in guns, germs and steel; described to be the combination of the most powerful forces of conquest that were crucial in crafting human history. Another plausible explanation could stem from the fact that white man have in many instances been colonial masters before and would thus have enjoyed the economic and territorial expansion among other benefits of colonialism. This brings me to a question that the professor had asked during the seminar that had really sparked my curiosity. Why then did New Guineans not develop things that had trappings of the modern world even with the knowledge that their "more superior" counterparts were innovating rapidly? According to Jared Diamond, this is because "New Guineans had only a few native crops that they could grow, and no native farm animals, while my ancestors, even 10,000 years ago, had been blessed with an abundance of domestic plants and animals." He also mentions that, "Over the centuries, this had given them a huge advantage that led them develop cities, nations and even colonies abroad." This then brings us back to the importance of agriculture and farming in bringing about civilisation. It is the domestication of species and the cultivation of crops that has helped certain societies to advance and create specialisation that could lead to positive benefits such as trade that can enhance the country's economic growth and further increase its ability for research and development. Through this study of the rise of civilisations, I have also learnt the importance of understanding the history of interaction among heterogenous groups of peoples (For example, conquests and colonialism) as past events are vital in shaping our responses that are used to mould the modern world.
Another key message that I have taken away from the lesson is the importance of staying hungry for progress because the lack of contentment would constitute one's desire to learn more and want more. This is essential in motivating new technological innovations as well as drive world change with the new expectations we have. We would not want to fall under the same plight of countries such as China whom after attaining her status as the richest country, committed a grave mistake of closing her doors to the outside world with their belief that they had all the solutions to their problems and required no external help or trade. This period of isolation led to a drastic decline in China's growth and caused them to hinder their own development. Similarly, religion has also ended up becoming an inhibitor of learning where it was the stimulation of education previously. This is reflected in Islamic societies that have turned insular, disregarding science and worshipping religion as their answer to their problems instead.
An especially perceptive summary of what technology and world change is about was offered by the professor as he noted that, "Technology is knowing what to do and how to do it." To me, this is an important key message to be taken away because it illustrates the concept of how technology is about the use and the knowledge of tools that can then be harnessed to shape and transform the world as we gain more knowledge and discover new utilities of the things around us. It is true that we live in an exponential world where the world is changing and improving at a faster pace each time. This can be attributed to the evolutionary nature of technology that encourages experimentation and continuous innovation that has truly driven the progress of technological advancements and changed the way the world functions across the years.
In my opinion, what I felt could have been given more thought to was the question on the future of human race. Is the future already pre-determined or are we in the way to create it by ourselves? It is definitely a debatable question that would be interesting to discuss and share! The potential of human race becoming extinct was also brought up by the professor, especially with the ongoing obesity pandemic that has found its place worldwide and taken hold of more than 526 million people with numbers increasing almost every second. Such an alarming prospect that would lend an extremely huge impact on the world ought to be given more thought for solutions to be developed and achieved as soon as it is possible.
I really enjoyed the lesson and found it both enriching and enlightening. Looking forward to the next twc lesson :) The session deserved a 8.5/10!
Peace!
Glenda
In my opinion, what I felt could have been given more thought to was the question on the future of human race. Is the future already pre-determined or are we in the way to create it by ourselves? It is definitely a debatable question that would be interesting to discuss and share! The potential of human race becoming extinct was also brought up by the professor, especially with the ongoing obesity pandemic that has found its place worldwide and taken hold of more than 526 million people with numbers increasing almost every second. Such an alarming prospect that would lend an extremely huge impact on the world ought to be given more thought for solutions to be developed and achieved as soon as it is possible.
I really enjoyed the lesson and found it both enriching and enlightening. Looking forward to the next twc lesson :) The session deserved a 8.5/10!
Peace!
Glenda
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