Life-changing technology brings good and bad

Over the years there have been many inventions or discoveries that have changed the way we think and the way we live.

First came fire, the most powerful tool used by the cavemen who lived thousands of years ago. Then there was electricity, the gateway to many other inventions that have also changed the world.

And then came the internet.

The internet is used every day by billions of people for millions of purposes, not all of them good. A man pleaded guilty to his girlfriend's murder after it was revealed that days before her death he googled "lethal karate blows to the back of the head".

Humans quickly adapt to ever-changing technology, but the more we use technology the more we rely on it. It took 27 years for a billion computers to be sold and it is estimated that it will take just seven years to reach two billion (excluding hand-held devices such as phones).

The internet has become the most widely used communications medium. It has made many other forms of media redundant.

Instead of watching TV people can watch it for free on the internet without ads. Instead of listening to the radio people can download podcasts for free on the internet and listen to them whenever they want without having to put up with bad reception anywhere they go.

Social networking is dramatically changing the way we interact with others. Many people have lost jobs or friends over things said on Facebook. It is far too easy to make a mistake on Facebook.

Someone in anger might write something offensive on another person's Facebook page. The next day when their anger has cooled they will come to regret this and, even though they might delete their comment, it will still be there in cyberspace for everyone to see.

For example, Andrew Kurtz, a 24-year-old employee of the American Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team, was fired after he wrote on his Facebook wall about contracts that had been extended for two players. "That means a 19-straight losing streak. Way to go Pirates."

If he had taken some time to think about the consequences of his actions he would almost certainly not have posted the comment for the world to see and would still have his job.

The first mobile phone was released in 1973 by Motorola. It weighed 2kg.

In 1990 there were 12.4 million mobile phone users. By 2010 there were over 4.6 billion.

The mobile phone was developed with a simple purpose - to let people talk to their friends whenever they wanted to wherever they wanted to.

Nowadays, however, they are used for many different things - for example, texting and accessing the internet.

On June 1 a news story was posted at www.newswarped.com/2011/06/ about a study that suggested there are links between mobile phone use and cancer.

The article explained that a group of 31 experts from the World Health Organisation had labelled mobile phones as possibly carcinogenic.

Even with possible effects on their health people are still willing to use mobile phones daily. Some people argue that the study didn't actually prove anything. But do you really want to gamble with your health?

Linus Coffey, Year 11, Orewa College