Does modern technology always improve the quality of peoples lives?

Modern technology has revolutionised the way we live. From communication technology to
nuclear technology, it has become an aspect of our lives we cannot live without. While the
breakthrough in modern technology has been celebrated for ameliorating the quality of peoples
lives, sceptics are leery of the devastating effects it may bring to mankind. In my opinion,
although modern technology has indeed brought great improvements to the quality of peoples
lives today, these benefits come at a cost when modern technology is abused.
Communication technology serves as a platform for mankind to facilitate communication,
helping to enhance global connectivity and convenience and largely benefiting relationships.
With the ubiquity of online social networks, emails, video chatting sites like Skype, and
smartphone applications such as Whatsapp, communication has been made a lot easier and we
are now able to transcend the boundaries of space and time. We no longer find ourselves
separated from loved ones in foreign land, as communication technology has allowed us to keep
in touch with them easily, cultivating closer relationships. Detractors may argue that the benefits
of communication technology have been exaggerated, as it has worsened our quality of life
instead. This argument holds true as communication technology has caused depersonalised
relationships, where we all become socially awkward individuals who live virtual lives. Even
when people meet face-to-face, they will be too engaged with their phones than the environment
and people around them, resulting in the lack of real communication. However, as much as this
argument is true, it is up to each individual to control himself and use these communication
technologies smartly and not letting them dictate his life. Therefore, communication technology
has indeed improved our quality of life.
In the area of safety, the latest in surveillance and defence technology have also bettered our
lives. There is greater security in our lives today as crime rates are lowered and national security
and defence are taken care of with the latest technology. In Japan, Hitachi has released a novel
surveillance camera that can search up to 36 million faces in a second for a similar match in its
database. This enables any organisation, from retail outlets to the government, to monitor
pedestrians or customers from a database of faces. Such a system aims to prevent or catch
suspicious activities, thus providing people a sense of security. Yet, the use of this technology is
also contentious, for it could enable government organisations to track down people. This is

definitely and invasion of privacy and has a detrimental effect on the quality of our lives. In
Singapore, CCTVs have been installed at all HDB estates for safety reasons. However, some
CCTVs are so close to the residents home that every single movement they make can be
captured on tape. This is an invasion of privacy and has resulted in a great inconvenience for
many people. In retrospect, as modern technology plays a far more important role in keeping the
country safe and giving people security than to monitor the everyday actions of people, modern
technology has indeed advanced the quality of peoples lives.
The development of nuclear technologies in the face of depleting natural resources and global
warming protects our environment and preserves the Earths climate, providing a better place for
us to live in. Nuclear technology serves as a viable source of alternative energy, as it is
sustainable and emission free. We no longer have to worry about petroleum depletion and the
increasing rate of greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollutants, which in the long run
may have devastating effects on our health. On the other hand, nuclear technology has been
exploited by opportunistic leaders to further their political interests, thus placing national
security and the lives of people at stake. This can be seen in the belligerent gestures of the
reclusive North Korean state. The late Km Jong Il had conducted the first underground nuclear
test in North Korea in 2006, and till now, North Korean nuclear tests are getting more frequent
and destructive in the hands of its new bellicose leader Kim Jong-Un. The numerous nuclear
tests have incurred the wrath of neighbouring countries as their peace and security are now
threatened. In this case, nuclear technology has been abused and instead of being a viable source
of alternative energy, it has put peoples lives at stakes.
Modern technology, being a double-edged sword, brings about as much benefits as harm to
people. While its development can vastly ameliorate our well-being, when it is abused or
misused, can undermine the quality of our lives. Although, in general, man is discerning and is
able to use modern technology to his benefit to improve the quality of his life, the adverse effects
prove that it does not always improve the quality of peoples lives.