Human Dependence on Computers - Case Study Example

“Human Dependence on Computers” Since the beginning of civilization, man has always ensured to create better technologies for effectuating success and efficiency. With each development in technology, we have surged ahead and have upgraded it for increasing our conveniences. Computers have been the most innovative invention of man after the wheel. Even Charles Babbage would have not estimated the power of his invention. With each passing day, since the day of invention, man has grown his dependence on computers. There is no element of doubt that computers have revived the very style of existence we inhabited. Computers have come a long way since the time of its invention. However computers provided us with a platform that eventually made us dependent on it. In the primary stage when the computers were the size of houses, it was primarily used through the medium of punch cards. Data were stored and calculations were executed. This was the first time, when man started his dependence on the computer as it was able to perform tasks in minutes which would require a whole lot of time and effort. With the development of personal computers, man’s need and hunger for knowledge and dependency on fast execution of work made him highly dependent. The following is a chart of personal computers per capita for some of the top computer savvy nations of the world: Switzerland has the highest users of personal computers in the world and has the most people in a nation who are dependent on computers in the entire world (Nationmaster.2010). Human dependence on computers will always exist because of computer’s ability to make logical decisions based on programs. Computers can be denoted as fast evolvers on the planet. Today computers are used for almost everything and they have evolved and upgraded from large mainframe computers to atom processors. Due to this attribute, man has only been increasing his dependency on computers. The following random facts of computers and internet usage will shed light on how we have been utilizing computers for almost everything: Statistically there is enough evidence of man’s increased dependency on computers. The data evinced in the diagram informs us about the rising needs of business and market which can only be sufficed by computers (Small business facts.2007). The reason there has been steady increase for computer’s increase is due the invention of internet. This technology applied in computers has increased its significance for us and has created a massive dependency on it. Emailing has almost eliminated the use of post office. Today it is unimaginable to live a life without emails, as it is the fastest mode of communication. One of the main reasons for man’s steady increase in computer’s dependency was the constant technological upgrading that has been taking almost every day. It almost seems like a new technology is born every week giving computer users constantly hooked on. From watching movies, to calculating figures, computers have solutions for all our queries. It seems like a one stop solution for a huge set of problems. Computers or rather supercomputers have always been used for military technology. With each missile guidance systems being programmed by computers, the efficiency of weaponry has greatly increased. However with increase in precision there is systematic increase of viable threats also. Since everything is systematically programmed, it also becomes convenient for terrorists to hack into sensitive information for espionage purposes. The following will inform about the viable threats that we might encounter due to our dependency on computers: ‘Our Increasing dependence on computers and computer communication has opened up a can of worms we know as electronic terrorism. Cyber terrorism is not only about obtaining information; it is also about instilling fear and doubts and compromising the integrity of data which leads to extortion’ (Joseph Migga Kizza.Page194. 2010). Technology is not only used for the betterment but also for wrongdoings. When there is coherence dependency on computers by us in all major sectors, the risk and threat increases ten folds of what it was before. Wars can be singlehandedly won by shutting the entire computer networking system of the country. The following evidence will showcase the ill effects of military dependency of computers and ammunitions: ‘ In 2007 the Chinese military successfully hacked into the Pentagon’s computer network, raising alarms that China could disrupt American military operations. The attack took place in June 2007 after several months of planning and shut down the computer system serving 1,500 Pentagon computers including the one used by of the Secretary of Defense’ (Jeffery Hays.2008). Today it is quintessential to protect the country from technology terrorism apart from physical warfare. But we are so heavily dependent on computers, that we can accept the threats and counter it with affirmative measures, but we cannot even imagine that we would be able to reduce our dependency. The following diagram will give an overview of how man’s dependency on computers is related with various fields: Apart from cyber terrorism, another threat that affects us due to computer dependency is internet addiction. The best compliment of computers has been the internet, however due to high usage of it, people tend to get addicted and end up using it most part of the day. The following chart will display facets of internet addiction (Dr.Kimberly Young.2010): In fact every web user gets addicted to the internet at some point or another. The computer itself is a fascinating device, but when clubbed as an interface for internet, it captures the imagination of millions at one time and increases risks of internet addiction with it. The problem with this form of addiction is it gets highly difficult for users to leave the habit as we use internet for day to day activities unlike alcohol or substance abuse. The addict on some part has to log back on the internet and then has to control and limit himself. As the graph indicates 5.9% people have admitted that their relationships have suffered due to internet. The reason behind it is either easy availability of porn or too much indulgence in social media sites. Internet addicts tend to forget the real world and live in a virtual world where they create artificial environments for themselves. Websites like’ Secondlife ‘are prime examples of people being enticed to live in fake environments. People due to this habit tend to ignore their friends and families and find solace in virtual people. It gives them an amount of satisfaction of not been seen but still being popular. Internet addiction is one of the rising problems of today’s youth and is actually of the highlighted reasons that have brought focus on our dependency on computers. Internet addictions can cause failure in academics, office and personal relationships. There is a heightened increase of anxiety which can lead to aggressive behavior. Having an internet addict at home has ruined many families, and slowly it is being labeled as the worst form of addiction. Physically the person starts denigrating as he does not get any physical activity and get more prone to illness and diseases. This has been observed with teenagers who are the biggest addicts of internet. Due to this lifestyle teenagers have been hit with worse obesity problems. One of the greatest disadvantages of man’s dependency on computers is internet addiction. Computers have been revolutionary on a technological aspect. The prime reason of impetus growth of dependency on computers is it adaptability with other appliances and its usability on a larger front. Today a personal computer can be used as a television, game console, library, writing purposes, database, education and business marketing. There is a lot that it can achieve due to its compatibility with other gadgets. Software will be made everyday to suffice needs of every market niche. Internet has become the largest platform of unified commerce. Concepts of B2B (Business to Business) & B2C (Business to customer) marketing are efficiently created and implemented through computers. Websites have become gateway and portal for commerce with large amount of trade being executed everyday. The following table will showcase a gist of economy generated by computers through the medium of internet (Tim Richardson.2010): Value of Internet sales in Canada   2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Private sector 5.5 million 6.3 10.8 18.1 26.4 Public sector 111.2 180.3 263.6 756.5 1,881.5 Total 5,661.0 6,516.9 11,078.9 18,920.9 28,319.5 %'age increase over the previous year 00 to 01 = 14% 01 to 02 = 70% 02 to 03 = 68% 03 to 04 = 45% The above chart is an indicator of how internet commerce is applied and how it is multiplied in span of few years. When finances of billions are on stake through internet trade, then the dependency on computers would only multiply numerous times. We have moved on to a newer era, where concepts of commerce like brand loyalty and growth strategies are laid out on different terms. The following chart evinces brands like ‘chronoswiss’ monitoring their brand loyalty through websites like twitter. Facilities like these were unheard of before. Due to the help of computers, brands can draw out effective marketing strategies and monitor them like the above chart. These attributes add endless vantage to computers, which in return increases more and more dependency. Since the software is the biggest tool of the computer, we can source anything and everything to it, to gain access and information. Billions of dollars are being used in trade just through computers. Huge revenues are invested in marketing techniques for online portals. Computers have created a new market for trade, have simplified dimensional trading (eg: Wallstreet share trading), have increased market niches for businesses and have accelerated growths by mammoth figures. Banking is a pivotal role that is taken care through computers. The entire process of synchronizing and centralizing banks all over the world has taken place due to the existence of computer technology. Computer dependence today has achieved a grass root level, and for every office, school there has to be computers for successful operations. If a virus hits the banking network, than it can create havoc in the market and can expose the dependence on computers. Internet provides a plethora of information, which today is not accessed by the best of libraries. The amount of knowledge that can be attained is phenomenal and irreplaceable. The computer allows us to reach the best of people and scholars by just one click. It gives us the liberty to follow greats of this world through the medium of social networking (eg: Facebook & twitter). The computers have far moved out of being a handy logical device to the lifeline of world’s economy. Today surgeons are using virtual environments with aid of robotics and computers to successful operate on critical cases. In the scenario, we are in; it is highly oblivious to believe that we would be able to break the dependency on computers. The advantages of being computer dependent are much higher than its disadvantages. From trade, to defense everything is carried out by simple computers. Web users can track the best of places using ‘Google earth’, which the traditional map can achieve. People having young babies and children under the supervision of nannies can monitor their children through use of video embedded computers and sophisticated interfaces. This concept was unachievable before the birth of computers, but today people are heavily using concepts like these and other savvy interfaces. Computer has created platforms for normal people to have a chance to get famous as they can showcase their talents through their websites and blogs. There are many ‘netizen’ celebrities, which have earned fame and fortune through the help of their computers. Man’s dependency on computers would only rise and probably it is best for mankind. If we have surged ahead in technology in last few years, it is only because of computers and internet. If man can start using it only for the betterment and avoid it for warfare or other illegitimate techniques, we would be able to accelerate our development much more than we can imagine. Works Cited: Nationmaster, “Personal computers (per capita) (most recent) by country”.2010. http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/med_per_com_percap-media-personal-computers-per-capita Small business facts, “Business Technology”.2007. http://www.smbtn.com/smallbusinessfacts/ Joseph Migga Kizza, “Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age”.2010. Springer Jeffery Hays, “Chinese Military Hackers”.2008. http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=1105&catid=8&subcatid=51 Dr.Kimberly Young, “Some Interesting Statistics on Internet addiction”.2010. http://www.netaddiction.com/index.php?option=com_blog&view=comments&pid=27 Tim Richardson.”E-commerce statistics”.2010. http://www.witiger.com/ecommerce/ecommercestatistics.htm www.twittercounter.com Read More