The Shallows - Paper Example

Introduction

Carr (2010) introduces the determinists and instrumentalists' arguments on the role that technology plays in the lives of human beings. People have diverse perceptions of technology and the way it influences the decisions made in their lives. Carr mentions that determinists believe that technological development is an independent occurrence in the lives of humans, who have no control over the progression it takes. Determinists also believe that technology affects the course of history (Jordan, 2012). On the other hand, instrumentalists believe that technology is a tool that humans use for their benefit. Therefore, since people control technology, they determine the specific areas that it can influence both in the short-term and in the long-term. Communication and transportation are some of the two major areas that technology affects. Technology keeps on changing every year and it is almost unpredictable for people to know the latest and new development that will be adopted in the world.

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This argument is supported by the fact that the internet penetrated the world so that it could bring positive changes. The internet affected the lives of human beings and changed the way they lead their lives. For instance, with the invention of a clock, people tend to rely on what watches reflect to interpret the time of the day. Technology has also affected the logic of human beings, making them rely on the internet to come up with solutions to the problems that people face in the world (Jordan, 2012). For instance, it common to find human beings relying on technology to come up solutions related to the economy, demography, or political field. Despite the influence that technology has had on the world, personal responsibility remains a reserve for every individual. Every person has the power to control the extent to which technology affects their lives.

Carr (2011) suggests that the instrumentalist's perception is that human beings are directly controlled by technology. The emergence of technology has eased life for all people, especially in communication and transport. The instrumentalist debate affirms that technology brings positive developments to human beings. As the years advance and people discover new knowledge that becomes relevant in the lives they lead at that particular time (Carr, 2010). For instance, the invention of telephones in the past eased communication and made it possible for people to exchange information from the comfort of their homes. However, there was a limitation in the landlines as they were not portable. Man discovered this weakness and through technology, discovered the idea of mobile phones. Mobile phones are portable and affordable to all people, unlike the telephones.

The determinist's argument that technology development is beyond the control of man is valid but debatable (McCarthy, 2015). Human beings are always on the lookout for ways in which they can make their lives easier using the available resources. For instance, since it was hard for people in different geographical locations to communicate and keep in touch, the desire and need to commune with others created the desire for coming up with sophisticated technological tools. Carr (48) emphasizes that determinists think that technology controls human beings, while instrumentalists perceive that people are highly intelligent which allows them to use technology to meet their personal needs. Therefore, technology is a tool that has no independent mind and relies on what people want to do with it in their lives.

Carr appears to weigh in on the debate between determinists and instrumentalists by providing the arguments by both sides. The author claims that each debate has a precise and valid argument that convinces the reader of the influence of technology on the lives of human beings. Carr affirms that technology has affected the way people relate with each other both positively and negatively. It is the responsibility of people to control the extent to which the internet and technological tools affect their lives. Therefore, if one allows technology to control them, he or she is bound by an unseen yoke. Such a person cannot make an independent decision unless they use technology. On the other hand, Carr recognizes that technology is a tool which gets instructions from humans who command it what to do and what to avoid.

Carr (2010) offers different arguments and pieces of evidence to support his claims that all human beings border on being determinists and instrumentalists. Carr argues that technology is a tool that can hardly be ignored in the modern day. All human beings rely on the developed transport and communication networks, all made possible by the advance of technology. For instance, almost every person in the world owns a mobile phone and can comfortably communicate with others from anywhere. Consequently, Carr suggests that most people are ignorant that the lives they lead in the current age were founded on technology. It is important for people to understand that technology has affected the current developments in the world today. Technology plays a pivotal role in shaping history (McCarthy, 2015). History is created through the way people interact with others and the new ideas released every year.

Conclusion

I subscribe to the determinist thought. I believe that technology exists in my life and I have little or no control over its developments. I have no choice but to use technological tools to lead my life and execute my daily duties. For instance, I rely on my Smartphone to keep in touch with both family and friends, I have a laptop that enables me to access my social media channels and watch movies. Technology directly influences the quality of life that people live both in the short-term and in the long-term (Jordan, 2012). For instance, I need cars to move from one place to another and if I feel sick, I would rely on technological tools used by medical experts to diagnose my health condition. I think there is no way that I can resist using technology and I look forward to having more technological ideas that will make my life easier. For instance, the use of robots in industries will increase production and lower prices for most commodities.

I anticipate counterarguments on my determinist stand. One of the issues raised might be to question the quality of life that people from uncivilized and developed nations lead their lives. For instance, in their mode of communication and movement. My counterargument would be that they are using the post-dated ways because they have not discovered the benefits of technology, but once they do, the civilians would be ready and willing to allow technology to transform their lives. Once people adopt the technology, they become dependent on it, meaning that if such communities were to get technological tools in their lives, they would no longer have control over its development.

References

Carr, N. (2010). The shallows: How the internet is changing the way we think, read and remember. Atlantic Books Ltd.

Carr, N. (2011). The shallows: What the Internet is doing to our brains. WW Norton & Company.

Jordan, J. E. (2012). The Ghost of Prometheus: A Critical Response to Nicholas C. Carr's The Shallows. Southwest Philosophy Review, 28(1), 93-101.

McCarthy, D. R. (2015). Power, information technology, and international relations theory: The power and politics of US Foreign policy and internet. Palgrave Macmillan.