Key Question 3: How Does Technology Change Communities

Technologythe application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.

Communication

the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.

Forms of Communication Technology

• Digital: Email, instant message, blog, comments, standard websites, wikis, Google Wave, Youtube/video, podcasting, forums, mailing lists, tumblogs, images (Flickr etc.), web-fax, social bookmarking, newsgroups, twitter, facebook, texting, mobile phones, face time,

• Traditional:Speech, sign language, letters, phone, mail, fax, books, Newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, essays, poetry, textbooks, fiction, TV, movies, meetings, signs, paintings, music, radio, Morse code, notes, memos, speeches, lecture, print press

Benefits

• Get information to people a lot quicker locally/nationally/ int.

• Creation of jobs ie call centres etc

• More ways of communicating

• Easier ways to communicate

Communication Technology

Disadvantages

• Replaces actually physically meeting with people

• Can impair social conduct/ manners

• Language deterioration (e.g. text language)

• Cyber bullying (anonymity)• Identity thef – new forms

of crime• Possibilities of Spying

How have communities maintained/ changed due to Technology?

Changed• Many different lifestyle choices advertised

via different technological avenues – give people choice.

• How we communicate with one another. Ie before we used to meet each other – nowadays just text

• Due to ‘quicker pace’ of life our eating choices may have changed i.e organic diets to microwaved foods etc

• Jobs available, more types of work, flexible working

• Getting information around is quicker

Maintained• Can maintain life style

by purchasing products over the net from other parts of the world

• Set up social media community groups

• Text and communicate through their own language

• Keep in touch with others through text, whatsapp, facebook, twitter etc

How is Technology used in industry?

• Machines to make work easier and faster• Production/ manufacturing/ call centers/• Communication• Advertising and marketing • Banking and financial services• Organisational purposes (e.g. keep everything

online)• Sharing information• Transfer/Receiving and making payments• Currency exchange and trading across different

countries easily

Benefits• Work done quicker, more

effective, and accurate• Higher output in comparison to

human• Replaces human effort• Can get products across to

buyers internationally and quickly

• Opportunities for job creation• Flexible working hours• Potentially tech/ machines can

be cost effective long term

Technology in Industry

Disadvantages• Puts people out of work• Becoming dependent on

technology (failures can result in catastrophe)

• paying for employees to be trained on using tech

• People can steal idea online• Plagiarism/ espionage

How is Technology used in Politics

• Using media to get political message across• Organising protests • Online petitions• In some cases censorship• Online voting?• Emailing mp’s

Benefits• Can organise protest quickly

and effectively across vast regions

• Can relay new information fast• Organise petitions to put

pressure on government• Contact people in positions of

‘power’ easily

Technology in Politics

Disadvnatages• Media bias in reporting events

• Government can censor information (e.g. china)

• Negative messages can be spread to incite hatred and violence (eg. EDL/ Hizb Tahreer)

Do you agree or disagree with the statement below? Justify

Human Rights and Technology

Article 10 Freedom of expression

• The right to freedom of expression is crucial in a democracy – information and ideas help to inform political debate and are essential to public accountability and transparency in government.

• Article 10 gives everyone the right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without State interference.

• This includes the right to communicate and to express oneself in any medium, including through words, pictures, images and actions (including through public protest and demonstrations).

Limitations of Article 10Article 10 is a qualified right and as such the right to freedom of expression may be limited. Article 10 provides that the exercise of this freedom “since it carries with it duties and responsibilities” may be limited as long as the limitation:

• is prescribed by law;• is necessary and proportionate; and• pursues a legitimate aim, namely:

o the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety;

o the prevention of disorder or crime;

o the protection of health or morals;

o the protection of the reputation or rights of others;

o preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence; or

o maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

Biasinclination or prejudice for or against towards one person or group.

What is Censorship?Censorship is the suppression of

speech or other public communication

Example of Countries with and without Censorship

• China – advocates censorship

• Britain – Advocate a free press (no censorship)

How has Technology been used to help battle climate change?

• Wind Turbines – (effective but arguably loud and ugly)

• Tidal power (good but expensive)• Solar panels (effective, but production is

problematic, and not every body can afford it short term/ long term)

• Bio-degradable materials• Recycling plants• New technologies to harvest waste