Technology

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Questions and Answers

What is a consequence of technological advances in commercial fishing?

Increase in fish populations

Improved fishing methods without drawbacks

Collapse of some fish species (correct)

Reduced competition among fishermen

What term is used to describe the dilemma faced in commercial fishing due to the overuse of a common resource?

Sustainable development

Resource optimization

Tragedy of the Commons (correct)

Market efficiency

What has been a major impact of the collapse of sustainable fishing on the horn of Africa?

Development of new fishing technologies

Increased reliance on illegal activities (correct)

Decrease in overall piracy rates

Growth of coast tourism

Which fishing method is known for causing significant destruction to marine habitats?

Drift net fishing (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of overfishing in the Grand Banks fishery?

Collapse of the Cod population (A) Signup and view all the answers

What led to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union?

The massive military buildup under the Reagan administration (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy kept the peace during the Cold War by deterring nuclear war?

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) (C) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of war-related deaths were civilians in the 1990s?

90% (C) Signup and view all the answers

What has significantly enhanced the destructive capacity of modern weapons?

Technological advancements (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which major war is cited as an example of a resource-related conflict?

Gulf Wars (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the arms race is true?

It is an example of an escalation game (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the percentage of military spending worldwide in 2022?

2.2% (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding civilian casualties in modern warfare is accurate?

More civilians than soldiers tend to be killed today (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of economic and social policies regarding labor and capital pricing?

Overpricing of labor and underpricing of capital (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of technology abuse?

Dictatorial regimes using communication equipment (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'technological fix' imply?

Technology will provide a solution for every problem (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which problem illustrates the limits of the 'technological fix'?

Water pollution and its complex sources (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of high technology in certain development contexts?

Improved access through mobile phone networks (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be a negative consequence of using high technology?

Maintenance costs exceeding national budgets (C) Signup and view all the answers

How can lobbying for high technology impact economic policy?

It can involve subsidies aimed at promoting exports (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about technological solutions?

They can solve every problem. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of technological progress in relation to resource production?

It allows for the production of more output with the same resources. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How has the military-industrial complex influenced technological progress?

It contributed to rapid technological development during the Cold War. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common-pool resource example mentioned in the content?

Oceans (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the tragedy of the commons refer to?

The overuse of resources when short-term benefits are prioritized over long-term gains. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to the risk of overfishing in a common-pool resource like a fishery?

Competitively exploiting the resource with more fishing boats. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of Kennedy’s appeal related to the space race?

To inspire a new focus on reaching the Moon by the end of the decade. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how technology impacts resource management?

It sometimes creates imbalances, enabling overuse under competition. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a component of technical progress that has notably driven globalization?

Transport and communication technology. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What has been the effect of the USA-Russia arms reduction program?

Reduction of nuclear arsenals from 18,000 to 8,000 megatons (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which conflict has resulted in the highest number of deaths since 1998?

Congo conflict (B) Signup and view all the answers

What potential global impact does the Russian invasion of Ukraine have?

It could escalate into a global nuclear conflict (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern regarding the proliferation of nuclear weapons?

Terrorists are actively trying to obtain nuclear weapons (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant long-term impact of nuclear conflict?

Worldwide fallout and climate change (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of nuclear device poses a particular threat through terrorism?

Dirty nuclear bombs (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which countries are acknowledged to possess nuclear weapons?

US, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel (D) Signup and view all the answers

What key challenge is associated with the clean-up of nuclear testing sites?

It is costly and difficult (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable consequence of the widespread use of DDT as a pesticide?

It led to a resurgence of malaria in some regions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which book by Rachel Carson highlighted the negative effects of DDT?

Silent Spring (C) Signup and view all the answers

What did factory farming practices contribute to regarding animal health?

Increased stress and vulnerability to diseases. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What problem arises from the use of antibiotics in factory farms?

Creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following arguments was made by Ernst Friedrich Schumacher in 'Small is Beautiful'?

Intermediate technology is more suitable for developing nations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of spreading sewage and manure from hog and chicken farms?

Over-fertilization leading to toxic algae blooms. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What unintended consequence resulted from the ban on DDT usage?

A rise in malaria cases in areas where mosquitoes thrived. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does inappropriate technology imply in the context of developing countries?

Utilizing technologies that fit local labor and resource conditions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 7: Technology

Technology plays a crucial role in economic growth, enabling the production of more goods with the same resources or the same goods with fewer resources.
Technological progress is often embodied in new physical or human capital, and is sometimes labor-saving, capital-saving, or neutral.
Rapid technological advancements have occurred since the Industrial Revolution due to scientific progress and development.
Scientific knowledge drives the practical application of fundamental knowledge, often boosted by military-industrial complexes and conflicts like the Cold War and the space race.
Technological enhancements in transportation and information and communication technology (ICT) have facilitated globalization.

The Tragedy of the Commons and Technology

A fishery is a classic example of a common-pool resource where overuse can lead to overfishing despite the availability of sustainable catch levels
If more boats are introduced to a fishery, it can cause overfishing and reduce sustainable catch levels.
Overuse of common resources, like oceans and international river systems. Occurs when short-term gains outweigh long-term benefits.
Technological advancements can exacerbate these problems, such as in fishing where more advanced technology leads to greater amounts of fish being caught.

Unanticipated Consequences of Technology

DDT, a pesticide widely used until the 1960s, had unforeseen negative consequences for the environment and human health, including persistent harm for many life forms.
Its use in many countries led to a resurgence of malaria as mosquitos were not killed by the pesticide, leading to more cases of the disease.
Development and use of technologies have side effects that are not immediately apparent.
The book Silent Spring, published in 1962 by Rachel Carson, highlighted the harmful effects of DDT and raised awareness about the unforeseen negative impacts of technology.
Factory farms use antibiotics in order to prevent disease transmission but these often create antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Industrial pollution, particularly from hog farms, causes toxic eutrophication (the release of harmful and excessive nutrients) in waterways.

Inappropriate Uses of Technology

Schumacher's concept of "intermediate technology" suggests a more appropriate approach for developing countries. It calls for using technologies that better suit the resources in a given area or situation rather than implementing the most innovative technologies from richer nations.
Technology can be used for good or bad purposes, and there are limitations to the use of advanced technology, including possible overuse or misuse.
Technology can create unintended consequences and problems that are difficult to fix.

War and Technology

The development of the atomic bomb during World War II and the subsequent nuclear arms race significantly altered global warfare.
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) strategies, where large-scale nuclear exchange is considered a catastrophic outcome for all participating countries, kept the peace during the Cold War.
Technology has increased the destructive capacity of weapons.
Technology has led to a higher proportion of civilian casualties in modern wars, as opposed to wars in earlier periods.

The Threat of Nuclear War

Nuclear conflicts represent a severe risk to human survival.
The destructive capacity of nuclear weapons poses a serious long-term threat to the environment and the future of humanity.
The proliferation of nuclear weapons further increases the risk of large-scale nuclear conflict.
There are more than 10,000 nuclear warheads in the world, predominantly held by Russia and the U.S.

Technology Summarized

Technology, while beneficial, also creates both positive and negative implications.
Technological advancements can lead to unforeseen consequences, raising the need for careful consideration of uses, and potential risks.
The development and application of technology should be approached with a thorough understanding of its potential impact.

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Description

This quiz explores the pivotal role technology plays in economic growth and its impact on resource utilization. It delves into the relationship between scientific advancements, globalization, and common-pool resources like fisheries. Test your knowledge on how technological progress influences economies and sustainability.