Research Paper on The Glass Cage: Where Automation Is Taking Us

Introduction

The book is an exploration of technology and its real significance to human beings. The author explores the implications of using technology in daily human life and inherent effects it has on the quality of life. Essentially, the following paper tries to show that technology is only bad to human beings only as far as the extent of its use. Carr puts it that, the specialized talent and intricacies of human talent are being reduced by excessive use of less distinctive capabilities offered by machines (61). In essence, therefore, the discussion shows the different effects of technology on human beings and the extent to which the effects adversely affect our lives.

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A good example of the embodiment of Carr's work is one research that explores the effects of information technology on the society in general-teens, senior citizens and adults. It emphasizes on the internet's use effects on socializing, education and entertainment. The research endeavored to investigate the amount of time spent on the internet its relation to contact with family, friends, physical activity, and society (Rajani&Chandio, 56). The research also endeavors to find out what most people go to do on the internet. The following is an example of the effect the internet has on the quality of interaction. Good old fashioned conversations are killed by more time spent on the internet, PCs and mobile devices. However, without a doubt the paper emphasizes on the internet's ability to entertain people on a significantly wide scope. In the same way, the material on education disseminated on the internet has increased knowledge stores significantly.

Letting the software 'do our thinking for us' hampers our ability - or will - to learn: 'The generation effect requires precisely the kind of struggle that automation seeks to alleviate' (75). The statement by Carr shows his exploration of the loss of learning caused by embracing technology. In essence, the process of learning is described as careless and inefficient until a point where most things become familiar and a regular flow is gained. However, the already learned settings of technology are demeaning the process learning. Evidence of the same is shown by a quote by Google's executive Alan Eagle, who puts it that the goal is to produce software that is 'brain-dead easy to use' (Richtell, The New York Times, 1). To a significant extent the easy software reduces cognitive ability and discourages mental strain by users. Essentially, the argument is that excessive use leads to human beings becoming passive shallow thinkers trending the surface of the earth.

'The value of a well-made and well-used tool lies not only in what it produces for us but what it produces in us' (Carr, 217). The following statement by Carr lets us consider our positions in relation to using technology in our lives. The notion can be likened to that of a sword. A person can use a sword to protect themselves and to fall on it as well. In this way, the author enlightens on the essence of technology as a tool. The argument then becomes that technology is an improved tool for most life functions. However, to what extent does technology reduce our innate abilities compared to the value it brings to human life. Another similar argument given to this is by Noah Harari in his book 'Homo Deus' that tries to explore the interaction of man with artificial intelligence as a tool (79). The author, unlike Carr, proposes that the use of vast databases, monitoring systems, improved genetic exploration systems and the vast store of information could be the answer to improving the quality of human life. In one instance, the author proposes the imagination of an AI doctor that takes a blood test and runs it to give the most probable and accurate diagnosis. The argument of an AI being a better doctor is that the vast storage of information is more than any one doctor has learned to hold and retrieved in their brains.

The argument on the essence of technology to human life is trick because it holds almost balancing pros and cons. On one hand, there is the technology unemployment caused by different invented mechanics having the ability to perform certain tasks better and more efficiently than human beings. In almost every examination, technology emerges as having the most efficiency. The reason for technology's efficiency is the consolidation of different features that is enabled by the use of technology. For instance, using the internet for research gives access to about five fully stocked libraries without moving a muscle. The easy access to information is invaluable in an age where information is real power. On the other hand, there is the fact that the internet holds poisonous information as well. The research on the effects of the internet on society is evidence that the sword is real. It could both promote and destroy.

Most of the argument has been against technology. However, an honest examination like one described above shows that the effects of technology are not as clear cut as one may like. Some examinations show that technology has the ability to improve and promote human life. In the same way, the long term effects of its excessive use and misuse cannot be ignored. Consequently, as much as Carr expresses the impending dangers of technology to the human mind, it is clear that its use will continue to improve. One thing that is certain is that the dilemma on its effects to humans will last as long as it does, which is not likely to happen owing to the rapid innovation of technology used in every sphere of man's life.

Conclusion

Conclusively, Letting the software 'do our thinking for us' hampers our ability - or will - to learn: 'The generation effect requires precisely the kind of struggle that automation seeks to alleviate' (75). The statement by Carr shows his exploration of the loss of learning caused by embracing technology. In essence, the process of learning is described as careless and inefficient until a point where most things become familiar and a regular flow is gained. However, the already learned settings of technology are demeaning the process learning. . One thing that is certain is that the dilemma on its effects to humans will last as long as it does, which is not likely to happen owing to the rapid innovation of technology used in every sphere of man's life. The easy access to information is invaluable in an age where information is real power. On the other hand, there is the fact that the internet holds poisonous information as well. The research on the effects of the internet on society is evidence that the sword is real.

Work Cited

Carr, Nicholas. The glass cage: Where automation is taking us. WW Norton & Company, 2014. 11-102.

Harari, Noah. Homo Deus: A brief history of tomorrow. Harvill Secker: Jerusalem. 2014. Rajani. K. M., M. S. Chandio. Use of internet and its effect on our society.National Conference on Emerging Technologies: Pakistan. 2004.

Richtell, Matt. A Silicon Valley School That Doesn't Compute.The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/technology/at-waldorf-school-in-silicon-valley-technology-can-wait.html