The Impact of Technology in Middle Eastern Society - Research Paper Example

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY IN MIDDLE EASTERN SOCIETY Student’s name Code & Course Professor’s Name University City Date Abstract Important aspects of technological change are in the process of changing the societal and economic landscape of the Middle East region (Postman 2011). Evidently, specific aspects are integrated with more universal factors- changing the tide of globalization, technical changes and the inception of more powerful communication tools. The Middle East meanwhile is typified by a historical legacy of technological development; where new technological development has seen increased change process. The Middle East, in contrast to other region on the globe, remains as one of the most politically and culturally intricate regions; typified by three religions Christianity, Judaism and Islam. With a rich and robust cultural history, the region has integrated significant technological change. In part, due to the struggle, technology occupies a special role in the Middle Eastern Society. As such, the impact of the technology in Middle East, this retrospect paper confronts has brought about significant change. This research paper will integrate a comprehensive methodological research, as well as, include divergent primary research. Introduction Technological development has enabled the creation of a network of the crossing borders and increased relationships where different individuals are able to share experiences. Evidently, the inception of new media has notably heightened communication among different people within the society. Evidently, these effects were traditionally achieved through events of the non-governmental organizations, student organizations and trade unions. Similarly, this effect has been witnessed in the actions of Egyptian anti-globalist groups witnessed in the Global Justice Movement during the period of 2002-2005 (AbdelRahman 2011). Whereas communication plays an important role in any region, it is evident that the large communities are influenced by the impacts of these technologies on various life dimensions. These impacts may be negative or positive. Project Methodology Addressing the subject area required extensive research into the implications of computer technology in the Middle East Society. The impacts being massive and diverse, there are a number of resource materials available for use in researching about the topic. In effect, the project research entailed the use of the internet for research and other relevant published literature. Additionally, to seek more firsthand information, using social website I engaged various respondents from the Middle East region with a series of online interviews and questions to examine their perspectives regarding the impacts of technology. Results Through the strategic research methods used to acquire information for this paper, various results indicating the impacts of technology in the Middle East were captures. Each of the resources represented a set of views that were considered crucial in addressing the research topic. Table 1 below records these results with specific focus on the research resource. Evidently, the results registered from the sources indicated both the positive and negative impacts of computer technologies on the region. Internet Research In the Middle East, Computer technology has significantly increased awareness and information and knowledge dissemination to the society, making the communities more knowledgeable about things happening around them in relation to the social, cultural, environmental, economic and political structures. Additionally, communication channels have significantly been improved through internet diffusions and development of broadband networks allowing ease of communications. However, for children in the Middle East, computer technologies have resulted to intellectual limitations and time wastage through computer addictions. Published Literature Computer technologies have contributed to economic and social development through creation of employment opportunities, entrepreneurship and encouraging openness and governance. Computer technologies have significantly increased knowledge and awareness about green technologies, shaping the Middle East developmental orientation towards environmental conservation. In some cases, however, computer technologies have substantially reduced labour force by offering cheap alternative solutions to operations. As such, to some extents, computer technologies are considered injurious to job opportunities by reducing employments. However, this is arguable since in other cases, computer technologies have forced recruitment of experts to control operations. Online Discussions Computer technologies have significantly contributed to promoting educational activities through improving access to study material and e-learning and library services. Computer technologies in the Middle East have improved and encourage innovations which have been key in the regions’ economic development. Additionally, the technologies have significantly contributed to moral decadence in the Middle East through increased cases of internet and cyber frauds as well as exposures to pornographic content. Table 1: Results of Research Discussion Throughout mankind’s recorded history, technology has been a major contributor to the growth of the economy through number of ways such as increasing productivity, employment creation and entrepreneurship among others (Aslani, Naaranoja & Zakeri 2012). Most of the machinery factories in the Middle East have advanced in their technology thus increasing the production of goods significantly. However, new technology has not only increased the goods production but also improved services such as the information technology and the media (Twati, 2014). With the financial firms in a country such as Saudi Arabia relying on internet and their computer systems for easier retrieval of data and information, business is quicker and more reliable (Taylor, Fritsch & Liederbach, 2014). Additionally, technology has contributed to the increase in marketing of the excess production from the Middle East countries to other continents. As such, technology in the form of better transportation mean and advanced new communication technologies, for example in the UAE, have effectively reduced the world into a global village thus made accessibility and efficiency of international market better. The roles of computer technologies in pedagogy and teaching cannot be undermined (Mirza & Al-Abdulkareem, 2011). In the world, nations have embraced computer technologies in promoting positive educational outcome and improving learning. The use of podcasts and vodcasts, for instance, and other learning resources have majorly improved the learning processes. With the proliferation of the social media and technology in the Middle East, many students can access school online because of the changes in the way educators teach, the method of learning and the change in the communication links between the teachers and the students. In UAE and Oman, for instance, e-learning facilities have been popularized improving access to educational materials (Mirza & Al-Abdulkareem, 2011). Additionally, computer technologies have had a significant impact public education through faster spread of information and knowledge. As such, in countries such as Kuwait, Pakistan and Afghanistan, knowledge about the green technologies has increasingly spread, enabling a major acceptance of sustainable technologies for health and environmental safety while supporting economic growth (Udin et al 2013). However, computer technologies have not been all that beneficial to the Middle East. The research was able to point out weaknesses associated with these technologies in the region. With technology becoming more of a basic element to most modern enterprises, the production sector has been facing flaws and malfunctions of the information systems and the machinery. In the case that there is no internet connection, the ecommerce business is greatly affected with the production of goods having to stop in the case that machines stop working. Technology in the Middle East has created a whole lot of new employment opportunities. However, a significant number of jobs that may not require any specialization are lost as human capital is replaced by computer technologies. As such, a significant reduction in opportunities in the Middle East, as in Egypt and Jordan, deprives people of money that in return would have contributed to the growth of the economy (Twati, 2014). Additionally, computer technologies have contributed to moral decadence in most of the Middle East countries through the increased number of cyber frauds and exposure to pornographic videos (Postman 2011). In the recent past, cases of cyber frauds have significantly increased in Yemen and Kuwait (Cassey 2011; Jewkes 2013). Access to pornography in Syria and Cyprus has significantly resulted to levels of social decay among the youths. Without proper strategy in technology use, technologies could be misused. This is the case for most children in Cyprus, Syria and Turkey (Lin & Atkin, 2014). Computer technologies have resulted to intellectual limitations and time wastage through computer addictions. As such, cases of obesity that are contributed by long hours of little or no exercise have been reported in children in countries like Iraq, Bahrain and Qatar. Experts have discovered that, children who spending most of their time on computer may spend significantly less time exercising hence leading to obesity (Livingstone, Haddon & Gorzig, 2012). Additionally, such kids develop weak relationships with their parents and poor social skills with much of their attention focused on computer technology (Neustaedter, Harrison & Sellen 2012). Present and Future Solution Whereas computer technologies have been seen to significantly post positive impacts in various human and social economic aspects, there is need to control the negative impact (Cassey 2011). Controlling this impacts entail limiting the negative implications with the aim of reducing or eliminating them while supporting the positive impacts for the benefit of the Middle East economies. This section examines these solutions with regards to measures currently in place and proposes future solutions to negative impacts of technology. Middle East Countries such as the UAE, Israel, Yemen, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia are making advancements in integrating human controls or operations with computer technologies. By so doing, the countries capitalize in strategic human computer interfaces that not only enhance easier operations but also require human capital for effective operations (Taylor, Fritsch & Liederbach, 2014). As such, computer technologies are embraced while minimizing reductions to employment opportunities. In Saudi Arabia, the government encourages parents and guardians to implement restrictions to curb teenage access to pornographic content which is harmful to morals (Postman 2011). Proper handling and use of computer technologies simplifies operations. However, it is important to control the use of the technologies for the sake of improving operational outcomes. In future, high levels of monitoring standards including banning and blocking of adult sites would be important in reducing access to pornography in the Middle East. At the same time, governments and parents should take responsibility in guiding the children on proper use of computer technologies while encouraging them to live socially and active lives to control various health disorders (Livingstone, Haddon & Gorzig 2012). Conclusion Computer technologies have ‘revolutionalized’ the world (Jewkes 2013). New inventions and technologies have simplified human operations and improved various aspects of socio-cultural and economic entities. However, avoiding computer technologies negative impacts has been virtually inevitable. Nevertheless, countries all over the world can strategize on measures to use these technologies while controlling or mitigating the negative implications as some Middle East countries are already doing. Reference List AbdleRahman, M. (2011). The Transnational and the Local: Egyptian Activist and Transnational Protest Networks. British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 38 (3), 407-424. Aslani, A., Naaranoja, M., & Zakeri, B. (2012). The prime criteria for private sector participation in renewable energy investment in the Middle East (case study: Iran). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(4), 1977-1987. Casey, E. (2011). Digital evidence and computer crime: Forensic science, computers, and the internet. Academic press. Jewkes, Y. (Ed.). (2013). Crime online. Routledge. Lin, C. A., & Atkin, D. J. (Eds.). (2014). Communication technology and social change: Theory and implications. Routledge. Livingstone, S. M., Haddon, L., & Gorzig, A. (2012). Children, risk and safety on the Internet: Research and policy challenges in comparative perspective. Policy Press. Postman, N. (2011). Technopoly: The surrender of culture to technology. Vintage. Mirza, A. A., & Al-Abdulkareem, M. (2011). Models of e-learning adopted in the Middle East. Applied computing and informatics, 9(2), 83-93. Neustaedter, C., Harrison, S., & Sellen, A. (2012). Connecting families: The impact of new communication technologies on domestic life. Springer Science & Business Media. Taylor, R. W., Fritsch, E. J., & Liederbach, J. (2014). Digital crime and digital terrorism. Prentice Hall Press. Twati, J. M. (2014). The influence of societal culture on the adoption of information systems: The case of Libya. Communications of the IIMA, 8(1), 1. Uddin, M., Shah, A., Alsaqour, R., & Memon, J. (2013). Measuring efficiency of tier level data centers to implement green energy efficient data centers. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 15(2), 200-207. Self Evaluation In dealing with the project I learnt several lessons which I consider crucial to personal development. First, I strategically organized an online discussion with friends through Facebook and Twitter where I got responses regarding the topic. As the facilitator of the discussion, it proved a great learning platform which worked well in delivering information for the paper. In addition, I got to understand more about computer technologies and their general impacts on human life and socio-economic and cultural aspects of life. My strength in the research, I consider, was the ability to get first hand opinion from computer technology users in the Middle East who contributed to the online discussion. I would improve my organization of ideas in order to effectively communicate the subject topic. In writing the paper, I discovered that I had gathered so much information that I was struggling to fit into the paper to meet the word count. That way, at the end I felt like I left out some significant details for the discussion. Given chance to do the paper again I would use guided questionnaires to get more information from the sources to increase access to first hand information. Read More