| Majority of modern world today is already in | | | | people. That's where problems begin. I hear a lot |
| great dependence on computers. Although for | | | | these days something like: "Well for me it's kind of |
| some people it's still possible to control the level of | | | | easier to communicate with computers", or "I |
| computer involvement in their live, overall we are | | | | don't do well with people." |
| becoming more and more dependent on various | | | | Working from anywhere, centralized |
| technologies either directly or indirectly. Highly | | | | management, speed and precision are just some |
| active people, like businessmen, managers, | | | | of the obvious benefits of computers. But at the |
| architects, without even mentioning those who's | | | | same time just think of how much power we |
| professions directly connected with every-day | | | | give to potential terrorists or cyber criminals, |
| use of computers literally will be stuck with their | | | | when more and more stuff in our houses and |
| lives, if god forbid their computers or hand held | | | | neighborhoods becoming computer operated. All |
| devices, will be dysfunctional even for an hour. | | | | these criminals need now is to connect to a |
| For some people it's not that critical. The | | | | specific network and start issuing malicious |
| old-fashioned individuals are still very productive | | | | commands or simply bring down a system to |
| and happy without all those fancy digital-world | | | | threat people's lives. Same atrocity is possible with |
| devices. These people are not dependent directly | | | | traffic light systems, sophisticated medical |
| on computers and hence less vulnerable to tech | | | | equipment or even whole facilities, and artificial |
| related disasters. However they might still be | | | | body organs making it vulnerable targets for |
| dependent obliquely. For example if the local post | | | | cyber terrorists. |
| office computer network will crush, people will not | | | | Many people believe that machines are flawless, |
| get their mail on time. Telephone companies also | | | | precise and so reliable that they no longer bother |
| depend on computers nowadays, again in case of | | | | to think of what these machines do or how they |
| malfunction people are not going to be able to | | | | do it, entrusting them most important aspects of |
| place their calls. Local bank system crash or | | | | their life. The problem is that software, firmware |
| medical bill software error entailed by same trivial | | | | and all kinds of other "mechanical brains" are |
| system malfunctions can lead to a financial | | | | created by humans, who make mistakes. Most of |
| disaster. So these days everyone directly or | | | | the companies and individuals use software |
| indirectly, at least in U.S., is dependent on | | | | packages from the shelf, rather then software |
| computers. | | | | designed for a particular case and environment, |
| Most modern cars will not start without proper | | | | and who knows if it will fit their needs. |
| on-board computer functioning and some won't | | | | I completely understand that it is virtually |
| even open without electronic chip key. With | | | | impossible to stay competitive in today's life |
| advent of automobiles along with certain | | | | without help of computers, and every year this |
| advantages we deprived ourselves of huge share | | | | dependency becomes more and more profound. |
| of physical activity. Even then we still needed to | | | | Anyone who wants to excel, needs to be on |
| go to a car whenever we needed groceries or go | | | | track with current technology. In any field there is |
| to work. We also needed to spend considerable | | | | a tremendous amount of hardware and software |
| time taking care of our vehicle, which also | | | | which will readily increase your productivity. All I |
| required lots of burnt calories. With networked | | | | am saying is that we need to have some kind of |
| computers though, we no longer need to leave | | | | a backup plan, in case of our sophisticated |
| our home. Thousands of on-line services allow us | | | | electronic companion's failure. Some kind of pen |
| to do virtually anything from home, whether it's | | | | and paper system to do our work for at least a |
| earning money or spending it. We do it all without | | | | short period of time. I am against of complete, |
| even seeing who is paying us avoiding long lines in | | | | blind reliance on computers. I just don't think that |
| the stores and banks. What's sad is that we | | | | it's a smart idea to entrust ones precious life to |
| willingly put ourselves in wheelchairs, making | | | | rough mechanical hands. |
| ourselves physically disabled. | | | | New technology almost always starts out as an |
| Another big concern is a lack of basic one on one | | | | assistance for our everyday live and gradually |
| communication skills in modern society. Allowing | | | | becoming necessity or even addiction. The hard |
| computers to penetrate in our lives more and | | | | part is to identify the moment when an assistant |
| more, we simply forget how to talk and listen to | | | | is transforming to an addiction. As with any |
| a real person. We are becoming impatient, | | | | aspect of our life, everything should be in |
| aggressive and rude, getting used to the fact that | | | | moderation. We should always stay aware for |
| machines immediately do anything we tell them to | | | | how much we allow something to govern our |
| do. Machines don't have their own opinions and it's | | | | lives, whether it is romantic emotions, alcohol, or |
| comfortable, no need to ask or persuade. Then | | | | various computerized gadgets. Let computers help |
| we expect the same behavior from our fellow | | | | you in your everyday chores, but do not allow |
| humans, but this trick usually won't work with | | | | them to dictate your way of living. |