Science, Technology, and Society Notes PDF

GEN003: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY o 70% of rural homes own at least one TV. o TV remains the primary medium for...

GEN003: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY o 70% of rural homes own at least one TV. o TV remains the primary medium for advertisements. MODULE 8: WHEN TECHNOLOGY MEETS Mobile Phones: HUMANITY CROSS o Filipinos use them anytime, anywhere, for more than just communication. The Inevitable Influence of Technology on Society o Over half of the population owns at least one mobile phone. Technology as a Necessity: Computers and Laptops: o Society increasingly views technology as o Many Filipino households own at least an essential part of life. one. o People rely on technological o Some families own multiple advancements daily, consciously or computers/laptops. unconsciously. o Computers and laptops are more Origins of the Term "Technology": commonly used in offices, businesses, o Derived from Greek words: and schools rather than homes. ▪ Techne – meaning art ▪ Logos – meaning word Household Device Ownership (Philippine Star, 2013): o Combined, it translates to "a discourse on arts" (Buchanan, 2010). Mobile phone: 89% Impact of Technology on Society: Smartphone: 53% o Affects everyone, directly or indirectly. Tablet: 14% o Plays crucial roles in various aspects of Desktop: 39% life. Laptop or Netbook: 37% o Even those who claim independence Smart TV: 4% from technology are still influenced by it. Reliance on Technology: o Most individuals depend on Internet and Social Media Usage in the Philippines technological advancements for survival. (Rappler, n.d.): o It is deeply integrated into modern living, work, and communication. 119 million mobile phone subscriptions. Technology’s Unavoidable Presence: Daily screen time: o It is no longer a choice but a reality that o Mobile: 3.2 hours shapes everyday life. o Desktop: 5.2 hours o Its influence will continue to grow as 47 million active Facebook accounts. advancements develop further. Philippines has one of the highest digital populations globally. Television Sets, Mobile Phones, Computers, and Fastest-growing application market in Humanity Southeast Asia. 15.135 million households own a television set. Widespread Use of Technological Devices Ethical and Moral Dilemmas of Technology Usage Common household devices: o Television sets, mobile phones, and 1. Health Issues: computers are the most used devices o Children become lazy and unhealthy worldwide. due to lack of physical activity. o Found in almost all households, making 2. Social Alienation: them widely accessible. o Reduced face-to-face interactions as Usage Across All Age Groups: people spend more time on screens. o People of all ages use these technologies 3. Time Mismanagement: for various purposes. o People lose track of time due to excessive device usage. Statistics on Device Ownership in the Philippines o Easily annoyed when disturbed from screen activities. 4. Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Television Sets (Kantar Media, 2014): o Children freely access inappropriate o 92% of urban homes own at least one content online. TV.  o Lack of parental restrictions due to easy Four Periods of the Information Age: internet access. 1. Pre-Mechanical (3,000 BC – 1450 AD): o Early methods of information storage and sharing. MODULE 9: INFORMATION AGE 2. Mechanical (1450 – 1840): o Gutenberg’s printing press (1450s) The Information Ag allowed mass production of books. 3. Electro-Mechanical (1840 – 1940): Definition and Characteristics: o The invention of telegraphs, telephones, and early computing devices. The Information Age is a historic period in the 4. Electronic (1940 – Present): o The rise of computers, the internet, and 21st century, also called the: o Computer Age digital technologies. o Digital Age o New Media Age Pioneers of the Information Age: Marked by: o Rapid advancements in communication Blaise Pascal – Early mechanical calculator. and information technology. Alexander Graham Bell – Telephone. o Increased access to information with the Steve Wozniak & Steve Jobs – Personal invention of computers and the internet. computers. o The shift from traditional industries to Bill Gates – Microsoft and software digital and information-based development. economies. Claude Shannon – Regarded as the "Father of the Information Age." Impact on Society: The invention of computers allows instant access to information. Major Milestones in the Information Age: The internet enables people to work, shop, study, and entertain themselves from home. Rise of Personal Computers and the Internet: Society has become more dependent on technology for daily tasks. 1980s: Personal computers become widespread and connect to networks. 1970s: Early internet usage was limited to scientists and researchers. Historical Development of the Information Age: Development of fiber-optics improved internet speed and communication efficiency. Early Developments: 1990s – The Internet Revolution: The Information Age started in the 1970s and continues today. Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide The Renaissance period contributed inventions Web (WWW), making information easier to and ideas that influenced modern technological access and navigate. advancements. The internet became commercialized, enabling: The growth of electronic information began o Online shopping, e-books, and digital from early inventions, including: transactions. o Samuel Morse’s telegraph (1837). o Colleges and universities to publish o Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone research data online. (1876). o Guglielmo Marconi’s radio (1890s). 2000s – The Rise of Social Media: Platforms such as: o MySpace (2003), Facebook (2004), YouTube (2005), Twitter (2006) changed online interaction. 2010s – Expansion of Social Media: Encourages new social and romantic relationships via networking and dating apps. Instagram (2010), Snapchat (2011), TikTok (2016) reshaped digital communication and Professional Impact: entertainment. Supports career growth through professional Present Day – The Digital Era: networking platforms. Enables businesses to interact with customers, Social media is now deeply embedded in daily gather feedback, and enhance brand visibility. life, impacting: o Communication – Real-time global conversations. o Entertainment – Streaming services, Positive and Negative Impacts of Social Media on online gaming. Society o Politics – Influence on elections and public opinion. Positive Impacts: o Culture – Digital trends shape global culture and interaction. 1. Education and Learning: o Crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic for online classes. o Provides e-learning resources (blogs, MODULE 10: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN podcasts, online courses). THE MOEDERN 2. Awareness and Information Sharing: o Spreads knowledge about current What is Social Media? events, politics, and the environment. o Users can stay informed and participate Definition of Social Media: in global discussions. 3. Strengthening Relationships: A computer-based technology that enables o Connects families and friends across sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information. long distances. Functions through virtual networks and online o Enables instant communication through communities. text, calls, and video chats. Transforms communication by altering how 4. Real-Time Communication: people interact, share information, and form o Provides immediate updates on relationships. emergencies, trends, and breaking news. Negative Impacts: Influence of Social Media on Communication and Information Sharing 1. Propaganda and Misinformation: o Used by political groups and Used by billions worldwide to connect, organizations to spread false narratives. communicate, and share content. o Can manipulate public opinion and Changed the way information is disseminated, threaten democratic integrity. making news and trends more accessible. 2. Trolling and Cyberbullying: Allows global conversations, bringing people o Harassment and online bullying lead to from different backgrounds together. mental health issues. Encourages user-generated content, personal o Victims may suffer from stress, anxiety, updates, and real-time sharing. or even suicidal thoughts. 3. Extremist and Illegal Activities: o Some groups misuse social media to Personal Impact: spread violent ideologies. o Poses risks to national security and Helps maintain communication with friends and public safety. family across distances. Expands learning opportunities through educational content. Social Media’s Role in Public Opinion and Social Types of Automation: Movements 1. Industrial Automation: 1. Amplifying Voices: o Gives marginalized groups a platform Uses PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) to share their experiences and advocate and DCS (Distributed Control Systems). for change. Common in manufacturing, assembly lines, 2. Real-Time Information Access: and material handling. o Users can access news instantly and Goal: Improve efficiency, reliability, and stay updated on unfolding events. workplace safety. 3. Mobilizing Support for Social Causes: o Hashtags, petitions, and viral 2. Robotic Automation: campaigns help raise awareness and mobilize action. Robots perform tasks traditionally done by o Example: #MeToo, climate change humans. activism, political protests. Used in manufacturing, automotive, and 4. Global Connectivity: logistics industries. o Social media fosters cross-cultural Example: communication and collaboration. o Roomba – Autonomous vacuum cleaner 5. Challenging Power Structures: with sensors for navigation. o Holds institutions accountable by exposing corruption and injustices. 6. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: 3. Business Process Automation (BPA): o Encourages discussions on equality, human rights, and social justice. Automates business workflows across multiple departments. Integrates software applications to optimize operations. MODULE 11: AUTOMATION Example: o Zapier – Connects apps (e.g., Gmail, Automation Slack, Trello) and automates repetitive tasks. Definition of Automation: 4. Home Automation: Automation refers to technology performing tasks with minimal human intervention. Uses smart devices, sensors, and networks to Aims to streamline processes, enhance automate household functions. efficiency, and reduce human error. Controls lighting, security systems, and Not limited to industrial settings—automation HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning). is present in homes, businesses, and daily life. Example: o Google Nest Thermostat – Examples of Automation in Daily Life: Automatically adjusts home temperature. Smart homes: Sensors and programmed routines 5. Network Automation: control lighting, security, and temperature. Self-driving cars: Navigate traffic safely without Automates configuration, management, and human drivers. monitoring of computer networks. Medical robots: Assist doctors in surgeries and Improves Wi-Fi performance and simplifies diagnostics. network management. Evolution of Automation How AI Learns: 1st Century BC – Water Mills Natural Language Processing (NLP): o AI learns human language by analyzing Greeks and Romans used water wheels for conversations (e.g., chatbots). grinding grain. Image Recognition: Considered the first stage of semi-automation. o AI identifies objects in images by processing vast amounts of labeled 9th Century – Mill Machinery Advancement pictures. Windmills and watermills used renewable energy for mechanical processes. First practical windmill developed by Persians. Capability-Based Types of AI: 17th – 18th Century – Industrial Revolution 1. Narrow AI (Weak AI): Steam engines and internal combustion Designed to perform specific tasks only. engines replaced traditional mills. Cannot go beyond its programmed 1785: Oliver Evans developed the first fully parameters. automated flour mill. Common in big data analytics, recommendation systems, and voice assistants 1900 – 1950s – Electrification (e.g., Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant). 1920s: Factories transitioned to electric motors 2. General AI (Strong AI): instead of steam engines. Relay logic systems improved automation. Mimics human-like thinking and problem- solving. 20th – 21st Century – Computers & Robotics Still in development, requiring a better understanding of human intelligence and 1971: Microprocessors were invented, lowering consciousness. Goal: To create AI that can think, reason, and computer costs and enabling automation. 1969: Victor Scheinman invented the Stanford learn independently like humans. Arm, a 6-axis articulated robot. 1973: Europe advanced industrial robotics (ABB 3. Superintelligent AI (ASI): Robotics, KUKA Robotics). Present: Robots are used in almost every A theoretical concept where AI surpasses assembly and manufacturing process. human intelligence. Could continuously improve itself, leading to uncontrollable intelligence growth. Currently exists only in science fiction and MODULE 12: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: THE theoretical discussions. FUTURE SOCIETY How Artificial Intelligence Works Functionality-Based Types of Artificial Intelligence Definition of AI: 1. Reactive AI Artificial Intelligence (AI) is powered by smart -good for simple classification and pattern recognition programs called algorithms. task These algorithms allow AI to plan, learn, and -great for scenarios where all parameters are known create in ways similar to humans. -it can make calculations much faster AI studies large datasets, finds patterns, and -incapable of dealing with scenarios including makes intelligent predictions based on those imperfect information or requiring historical patterns. understanding 2. Limited Theory -can handle complex classification tasks -able to use historical data to make predictions -capable of complex tasks such as self-driving cars but still vulnerable to outliers or adversarial example 3. Theory of Mind -able to understand human motives and reasoning -able to learn with fewer examples because it understands motive and intent -considered the next milestone for AI’s evolution 4. Self-Aware -human-level intelligence that can bypass our intelligence -considered a long-shot goal Ethical and Social Implications of AI: 1. Privacy Concerns: AI systems collect and analyze personal data, leading to risks of data breaches and misuse. 2. Bias and Discrimination: AI algorithms can inherit biases from their training data. Can result in unfair decisions in hiring, law enforcement, and financial services. 3. Job Displacement: AI-driven automation replaces human jobs, especially in repetitive and low-skill work. Could cause economic instability if job losses are not addressed. 4. Surveillance and Control: AI-powered surveillance raises concerns about mass monitoring and loss of privacy. Can be misused by governments for social control and censorship. 5. Safety and Security Risks: AI systems may be exploited for cyberattacks, misinformation, and hacking. In healthcare and transportation, AI errors could lead to life-threatening consequences.