Impacts of technology on culture, tradition and social values

 Ashes Niroula

Student, Sagarmatha Engineering College,Tribhuvan University

2015

Abstract

Technology and society or technology and culture refers to cyclical co-dependence, co-influence, co-production of technology and society upon the other (technology upon culture and vice-versa). This synergistic relationship occurred from the dawn of the humankind, with the invention of simple tools and continues into modern technologies such as printing press and computers. It has always been a matter of topic whether technology is boon or bane for the society. The impact of technology on our culture, tradition and social values is undoubtedly huge and classified as how it effects our society today and how it influence human activities .

Introduction

People developed the language so they could communicate and learn from elders through their stories. They invented tools for agriculture, to build homes, and to create weapons for hunting and protection. More technology is developed as increase in population. Technology not only increased humans’ life span but also the way how we live (Barbara Bray). Initiated with the use of printing press, allowed the masses to receive news, read books and attend school. Communities developed within large cities to protect and sustain the different cultures. Every nation and its community has its own identical coherence, culture, tradition and social norms and values. Living standard of people has highly risen up and has become sophisticated due to technology.

Technological Impact on Culture

The culture of a society is reflected in values, norms and practices. Culture observes itself through individuals to reflect their perception, practices, values and in transfer of technology. Technology has a crucial impact on fundamental aspects of all our cultures including language, art, mobility, education and religion. Culture of a community acts as a standard for perceiving, judging and evaluating the technology. As technology affects all the components of culture, it determines the direction of cultural development. To occupy the larger cultural dimension, technology should be in harmony with social and cultural conditions of community else there exists a friction between technological development and preservation of cultural values. A rational balance allows people to exercise freedom of expression in technical world which is beyond one’s ethnicity, age, or level of education. People use it for fulfilling their fantasies but a cultural downfall may occur due to lack of restrictions, regulation and/or consequences.

Technological Impact on Tradition

There exists always a tough competition between technology and tradition in a community. Technology has constrained the world into a global village by globalization. Imagination of today’s life without electricity, transportation, communication, etc. takes us back in time. The advancement in the field of medical science, engineering, economy, etc. is as a result of technology. Industrialization, Urbanization, Modernization, Development of the means of transport and communication is all possible as a result of positive impact of technology. It also helps in networking of the culture, tradition and coherence of the society. The 21st century has been so much forward due to the progress of technology. 

As seen in TED talks, Sherry Turkle says “As we expect more from technology; we start to expect less from each other.” She points out that we’re not building relationship with each other, but building relationship with technology as if it’s a real thing. Connecting electronically can also lead to isolation which is as a result of constant sensory stimulus of texts, tweets, facebook, emails and more rather than thinking and listening to each other. Dominance of western culture on recessive culture can be vital example of negative impact of technology. Violation of social values and loss in coherence of tradition is a result of technology.

Tradition style thrives if they have their recognized value. Technology helps to modify method of production or industrialization rather than killing the tradition. Thus, technology allows preservation of tradition if beneficiary part is taken into account.

Technological Impact on Social Values

The technology has given a wide range of topics to be discussed. People get to know extensive knowledge about any subject and more information has been shared effectively. Technology assists in transformation of economy and evolution of new social classes too.

 Technology plays a crucial role to strengthen interpersonal connection. It has contributed in the sector of health, transportation, electricity, etc. to all the demographic factors of society eg: Modern farming replaced primitive farming allowing increased crops, less time investment, etc.  

Whereas people invest more time in technology and less time in social environment. Technology has been blamed for turndown of traditional media such as TV and newspaper, etc. The complete use of technology has been limited in the periphery of educated people only. The more technology grows up, the more human regresses. Invention of robots and machines has made human lazy and dependant. Bombs, nuclear weapons and missiles exist due to use of technology. Implementation of technology influences the values of society by changing expectations and realities. Over emphasizing technology has created lack of trust among people. Technology can also be blamed for unemployment, cultural lag, changes in social institutions.

Conclusion

In spite of pros and cons of technology, for the better part it has greatly helped to make our lives better. It has not only able to save our important resource as time and money but also has worked well in unifying the world by turning into global village which helped people to easily overcome their cultural, racial and continental barriers. The ease of connecting through technology and communicating online does have impact on culture locally and globally as more and more people choose to communicate online instead of person. Technology should be oriented towards positive social change. Hence, technology should be developed to design digital ways to connect us not only to each other but to promote our values, to respect each other, and to encourage innovation as we develop a place for ourselves in the 21st century.

References:

Barbara Bray (Technology and its Impact on Society and Culture, Sept 25,2007)

Digital Nations. A PBS documentary (www.youtube.com/show/pbsfrontlinedigitalnation

Turkle, S. (2012) Connected, but alone ? (www.ted.com)