Chapter X: When Technology and Humanity Cross PDF

Chapter X: When Technology and Humanity Cross What will happen when technology and humanity meet? Let’s try to embrace that idea for us to understand the effects of technology on humanity. INTRODUCTION: Technology came from the Greek words techne, which means art and logos, which means word....

Chapter X: When Technology and Humanity Cross What will happen when technology and humanity meet? Let’s try to embrace that idea for us to understand the effects of technology on humanity. INTRODUCTION: Technology came from the Greek words techne, which means art and logos, which means word. Technology means a discourse on arts. In 17th century, the concept was only used to talk about arts specifically applied arts. In the 17th century, the idea of "technology" was mostly about skills used in making tools, artwork, and designs. It focused on practical things like crafting and building, not on machines or science like today. As technology progressed, the concept have a wider range of meaning, it includes the concept of machine tools. As technology progressed, its meaning expanded to cover more areas. It now includes not just skills or techniques but also tools, machines, and devices. This broader meaning shows how technology has grown to impact industries, science, and daily life. Example for machine tools Grinder Washing Machine Rice Cooker Refrigerator Drill press Technology has a crucial role to everyone. Technology helps people in many ways. It makes our work easier, helps us talk to others, and improves our health care. It’s like a tool that helps us live better and do more. The society is directly or indirectly affected by technology. Directly: Technology directly affects society when its impact is immediately noticeable in daily life. For example: Smartphones: Changed the way people communicate, work, and access information. Medical Devices: Improved health care with machines like X-rays and MRIs that save lives. Transportation Innovations: Cars, trains, and airplanes made travel faster and easier. Indirectly: The effect is not immediately noticeable but can become clear over time or through its results. For example: Using a smartphone all the time can lead to less face-to-face interaction over the years. Overusing it can damage our health. Over time, more cars contribute to pollution and climate change, which are long- term effects.  Most people survive because of great reliance to technology. Some people think they are not affected because they don’t use it much. They might live simply, avoid gadgets, or prefer traditional ways of doing things, like face-to-face talks or manual work. Some will say they are not greatly affected, the fact cannot be denied that technology is already inevitable part of the society. Technology can be both. It is a necessity when it helps with important things like work, school, or health. It is a want when it’s for fun or comfort, like gaming or buying expensive gadgets. NECESSITY OR WANT? Technology can be both. It is a necessity when it helps with important things like work, school, or health. It is a want when it’s for fun or comfort, like gaming or buying expensive gadgets. Convenience It saves time and effort. For example, you can send a message in seconds instead of writing a letter or use a washing machine instead of washing clothes by hand. Communication Technology makes communication easier and faster for people. It allows us to connect anytime and anywhere through tools like phones, emails, or video calls. This helps us stay in touch with family, friends, and work, even if we are far apart. Pleasure Technology brings pleasure by making hobbies like photography or reading more exciting with tools and apps that enhance the experience. It adds happiness and convenience to our daily lives. Happiness It helps us enjoy life. For example, watching movies, playing games, or chatting with friends online can make us happy. In general, technology keeps on progressing due to not only changing times and environment but also to the ever progressing mind of mankind: brilliance, creativeness and power of the mind. However, it is also important to note that anything too much is bad. The same problem is faced by technology. Problems with technology: Anything too much is bad. When we use too much technology, it can cause problems. For example, spending too much time on gadgets can harm health, hurt relationships, or waste time. Balance is important. Various ethical dilemmas involving the use of technological devices. An ethical dilemma is a situation where choosing between actions is hard  because each option has both good and bad effects, making it unclear what is right or wrong. Privacy Issues: Companies collecting personal data without permission. Addiction: Spending too much time on gadgets can lead to bad habits. Bias in AI: Machines making unfair decisions. Job Loss: Robots taking over jobs from people. Hacking: Stealing information or causing harm online. Misuse or invention to produce bad results. Some people use technology for bad things, like creating weapons, spreading lies, or hacking into systems. It depends on how people choose to use it. TELEVISION SETS, MOBILE PHONES, COMPUTERS, AND HUMANITY Television sets Kantar Media – the most trusted television audience measurement provider in the Philippines. According to Kantar Media, in the PH 92% of urban homes and 70% of rural homes own at least one television set. In 2012, households with television set reached 15.135 million. PAUL GOTTLIEB NIPKOW a german student, in the late 1800s, attempt to send images through a rotating metal disk. This invention was called electric telescope that had 18 lines resolution. ALAN ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL – SWINTON AND BORIS ROSING an English and Russian scientist. In 1907 they created a new system of television using cathode ray tube in addition to the mechanical scanner system. Two types of television systems are mechanical and electronic television. MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC TELEVISION Inventors attempted to either build a mechanical televsion system based on the technology of Paul Nipkow’s rotating disks; or an electronic television system using a cathode ray tube. Electronic television systems worked better and eventually replaced mechanical systems. Mobile phones In 2010, Synogate declared 67% mobile phone ownership in the Philippines. 1 out of 3 Filipinos cannot live without mobile phone in the 2011 - 2012 survey result conducted by Ipsos Media Atlas Philippines Nationwide Urban. 30% of the Philippines urban population nationwide said that mobile phones are necessities in life. MARTIN COOPER  a senior engineer in Motorola, made the world’s first moble phone call on April 3, 1973. The mobile phone used by Cooper weighed 1.1 kilograms and measured 228.6 x 127 x 44.4 mm. The device was capable of a 30 - minute talk time. It took 10 hours to charge In 1983, Motorola made their first commercial mobile phone. It was known as the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. Computers and Laptops Not possible for all Filipino families to own at least one computer or laptop because of higher cost. Computers and laptops are expensive, and many Filipino families have limited income. They prioritize basic needs like food and shelter over buying costly devices. Most profits gained by computer and laptop manufacturers come from offices, business or schools. These places need computers and laptops to do their work, so they buy many units. Families usually buy only one or none, but offices and schools buy in bulk. Growing number of internet users in the Philippines, problems regarding the internet providers. More people using the internet can overload the system. Internet providers sometimes fail to improve their services, which leads to slow or unstable connections. CHARLES BABBAGE 19th century English Mathematics professor. Designed the Analytical Engine – used as the basic framework of the computers even until the present time. Released in April 1981 by the Osborne Computer Corporation, the Osborne 1 is considered to be the first true portable, full featured computer. A typical household owns at least 4 of the following devices (Philstar,2013) Mobile phone 89% Smartphone 53% Mobile Phone: Used for basic communication like calling and texting. Smartphone: Can do more, like surfing the internet, taking high-quality pictures, using apps, and playing games. Tablet 14% A smaller portion of people use tablets compared to other devices. Smart TV 4% Very few people use smart TVs as their main device. Laptop or netbooks 37% A significant number of people prefer laptops or netbooks for work, study, or entertainment. Desktop 39%  Desktops are slightly more popular, likely due to their power and functionality for tasks like gaming or office work. Facts About Filipinos and their Use of Gadgets and the Internet Mobile phones subscription is at 119M. Mobile phone subscriptions are services you pay for, like call, text, and internet plans. They can be prepaid (pay as you go) or postpaid (monthly billing). Filipinos spend approximately 3.2 hours on mobile and 5.2 hours on desktop daily. Philippines has one of the highest digital populations in the world. There are 47M active facebook accounts in the Philippines. The Philippines is the fastest - growing application in market SEA (Southeast Asia). ROLES PLAYED BY THESE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS Television Primarily, television is used for information dissemination and advertisements. News programs like "TV Patrol" inform people about current events. Advertisements for products like Shampoo or Fast Food Chains reach large audiences through TV commercials. Television also serves as a recreational activity and good stress reliever to most Filipino families Families watch variety shows like "Eat Bulaga" or teleseryes like "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo" to relax and bond. Television is also a good platform for different propaganda and advocacies. Campaigns like anti-smoking ads or disaster preparedness tips educate viewers. Some groups use TV to share political messages during elections or promote certain beliefs. Mobile Phones Primarily used for communication with its services like texting and calling. Mobile phones were first made for texting and calling, helping people stay connected. Example: Parents call their children to check if they’re safe. Mobile phones nowadays are used to surf the Internet and take pictures more than to text or call. Today, many people use phones to go online, watch videos, or take pictures more than making calls. Example: A student uses their phone to search for homework answers or post photos on Facebook. Mobile phones have additional features such as a music player, calendar, radio, television, photo editor, and so forth like an all in one device. Phones now have extra tools like music players, calendars, and even photo editors. Example: Someone listens to music on Spotify, edits a photo using Canva, or sets  reminders for appointments on their phone. Mobile phones are no longer just for talking—they're tools for entertainment, work, and daily tasks. Personal Computers and Laptops Personal computer or laptop has a wide keyboard, wide screens and sometimes (for personal computer) has separate keyboards. Computers and laptops have big keyboards and screens, making typing and watching easier. Example: A student writes essays or watches YouTube tutorials on a laptop. Availability of mouse or touchpad which made it easier to maneuver. A mouse or touchpad makes it simple to move and click on things. Example: An office worker uses a mouse to drag files and work faster on reports. Allow the young and those who love to play, play with comfort and convenience. Computers and laptops are great for people who like gaming because of their features. Example: A teenager plays games like Minecraft or Valorant on a laptop with smooth controls. They make work, school, and entertainment more convenient and enjoyable. ETHICAL DILEMMA FACED BY THE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT 1. Parents concern for their children well – being Most parents would argue that these devices make their children lazy and unhealthy. They do not do anything productive in their home. Furthermore, they do not just skip meals, but also lack exercise and body movements. Many parents worry about how technology affects their children. They believe devices like phones, tablets, or computers make kids lazy and unhealthy. Instead of helping at home, kids often spend too much time on gadgets. This also leads to problems like skipping meals and not getting enough exercise, which is bad for their health. 2. Moral Dilemma People are freely exposed to different things on televisions, mobile phones, computers and laptops. They can easily search or visit websites without restrictions because of Internet availability and easy access to the Internet. This makes them very vulnerable to character change and can greatly affect the way they view the world and the things around them. With easy access to the Internet on phones, computers, and TVs, people, especially children, can see many things freely. They can visit websites or watch content without much restriction. This can expose them to ideas or behaviors that might negatively influence their values and how they see the world. It makes them more vulnerable to changes in their character and thinking. ROBOTICS AND HUMANITY Robot – is an actuated mechanism programmable in two or more axes with a degree of autonomy, moving within its environment, to perform intended tasks. A robot is a machine that can move and do tasks. It is programmed to work on its own in different directions to complete a job. Example: A robot arm in a car factory helps assemble parts without human help. Autonomy, in this context, is the ability to perform intended tasks based on current state and sensing without human intervention. Autonomy means a robot can do its tasks without a person controlling it. It uses sensors to understand its environment and decide what to do. Example: A robot vacuum cleans the floor by itself, avoiding obstacles like furniture. A service robot is a robot that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment excluding industrial application. A service robot does helpful work for people or equipment but is not used in factories. Example: A Jollibot a robot used in some branches to deliver food to customers at their tables. A personal service robot or a service robot for personal use is a service robot used for a non-commercial task, usually by laypersons. Examples are domestic servant robot, automated wheelchair, personal mobility assist robot, pet exercising robot. A personal service robot is for non-commercial use, helping people with everyday tasks. A non-commercial task is a job or activity done for personal or everyday use, not for business or making money. These tasks focus on helping people in their daily lives, not for earning profit or working in industries. Examples: A domestic servant robot cleans the house. An automated wheelchair helps a disabled person move around. A pet exercising robot plays fetch with a dog. Robots are designed to make life easier and assist humans in various ways. Difference Between Service Robot and Personal Service Robot A service robot is used in businesses or public places to do jobs that help people or machines. It is usually operated in professional settings and may require trained people to handle it while a personal service robot is used at home or for personal needs, not for business. It’s designed for everyday tasks and can usually be operated easily by anyone. The earliest conception of robots can be traced around 3000 B.C. from the Egyptians. Their water clocks used human figurines to strike the hour bells. This mechanical device was built to carry out a specific physical task regularly. From that time on, different machines were already built that displayed the same mechanism and characteristics as the robots in the present. The idea of robots started as early as 3000 B.C. with the Egyptians. They made water clocks that had small human-like figures ringing bells to show the time. These were simple machines designed to do a specific task repeatedly. Over time, people built more machines with similar features, leading to the advanced robots we have today. GEORGE DEVOL An American inventor known for developing Unimate, the first material handling robot employed in industrial production work. Roles Played by Robotics Ease the workload of mankind Robots take over heavy or repetitive tasks, making work easier for humans. Example: Robots assemble cars in factories Make life more efficient and less stressful Robots save time and energy by helping with daily tasks. Example: A robot vacuum cleans the house for you. Perform complicated activities Robots can do difficult tasks that humans may find hard or risky. Example: Surgery robots help doctors perform precise operations. Pleasure, entertainment in parks or exhibits Robots are used to entertain people and make experiences fun. Example: Robot mascots or performers at theme parks. Toys, child friendly Robots are also designed as toys for kids to play and learn. Example: Robot dogs or learning robots like Cozmo. Used in movies Robots are featured in films to make stories exciting and futuristic. Example: Robots like I’m not a Robot, Wall-E or R2-D2 in movies. ISAAC ASIMOV American writer and professor of Biochemistry at Boston University. Formulated the laws of robot in the 1940s. Also, Isaac Asimov formulated a set of rules and characteristics that define what a good robot is. “Three Laws of Robotics” Law One: A robot may not injure a human being or through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Law Two: A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. Law Three: A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. 1. First Law: A robot should never hurt a human. If it can stop harm from happening to a person, it must do so. Example: If a robot sees someone in danger, it must act to protect them.  2. Second Law: A robot must follow the orders given to it by humans, unless following those orders would hurt a person. Example: If a human tells a robot to carry something heavy, it will do so, but not if it means harming someone. 3. Third Law: A robot must take care of itself so it can keep working, but only if it doesn't interfere with helping humans or following orders. Example: A robot will protect itself from breaking down, but it won't do so if it would harm someone or disobey an order. These laws are meant to keep robots safe, helpful, and never harmful to people. ETHICAL DILEMMA/S FACED BY ROBOTICS 1. Safety Who should be held accountable if someone’s safety is compromised by a robot. Who should be blamed, the robot, the agent using the robot, or the maker/inventor of the robot? It is important to know who should be blamed and who should be held responsible if such thing happens. When a robot causes harm or danger, we need to decide who is responsible. Who Should Be Held Accountable? If a robot hurts someone, the person using the robot or the maker might be blamed. The Robot: Robots don’t have feelings or intentions, so they can’t be blamed. The User: If the person using the robot misuses it or doesn’t follow safety rules, they might be responsible. The Maker: If the robot was built badly or with mistakes that caused harm, the inventor or maker could be blamed. It’s important to figure out who is responsible to prevent accidents and keep people safe. 2. Emotional Component It is not completely impossible for robots to develop emotions. What if robots become sentient? Should they be granted robot rights? Robots could someday have emotions, but right now, they don’t. What if Robots Become Sentient? If robots start to feel or think like humans, they might be able to make their own decisions. Should They Be Given Rights? If robots could feel emotions and make choices, some people might argue they should have rights, like humans do. This is a big question because it would change how we treat robots and what they can do. Right now, robots are tools, but if they became sentient, we would need to think about how to treat them fairly.  Partial Autonomy includes active human - robot interaction. Full Autonomy excludes active human robot interaction. Partial Autonomy (Active Human-Robot Interaction): In partial autonomy, robots need humans to interact with them to complete tasks. They can perform some functions on their own, but still rely on human input or control. Example: Sophia the Robot Sophia is an example of partial autonomy. While Sophia can speak, understand conversations, and express emotions, she still relies on human interaction to guide her actions. For example, humans can ask her questions, and she responds based on the data and programming, but she cannot fully operate without human direction or input. Full Autonomy (No Human Interaction): In full autonomy, robots can perform tasks on their own without needing any human input or guidance. They are programmed to make decisions and carry out functions by themselves. Example: A robot vacuum is a simple example of full autonomy. It can clean a room without any human interaction, deciding on its own where to go and when to stop. In other words, a robot with full autonomy can perform actions or activities even without a master telling it what should be done or what should be performed next (IFR, 2012). Using Asimov’s laws for robots, it can be concluded that robots are ethical but only if they strictly follow the laws specified.