Topic 3 - Technology and Society

Topic 3 - Technology and Society

1. surveillance

   • data security
     • Identity theft
     • transparent society
       • anything can be found out on the Internet
       • detailed surveillance of people and their behaviour by the state
   • monitoring of the behaviour and aktivity of people
   • increased use of modern technology
     • cameras
       • CCTV
         • closed circuit television
     • drones
     • sound detectors
   • detect and prevent crime
     • CCTV in public places
       • hunt terrorsists
         • f.e. Boston Marathon
     • shops
     • schools
       • prevent racism
   • prevent terrorism
     • secret intelligence
       • NSA
         • Edward Snowden
     • monitor communication onthe Internet
     • administration to collect personal data
   • economic interests
     • Google
       • collect search strings
     • social networking sites
       • personalised pages
     • loyalty card
       • collect buying habits
     • advertising
       • individual ads
       • selling messages
   • Big Brother
   • protection of people's basic rights
   • important to prevent crime

2. new technology

   • robots
     • modern home technology
       • "smart home appliances
         • save time
         • save money
         • make life easier
     • work
       • automated jobs
       • relief of heavy, repetitive and dangerous work
       • carry out demanding tasks
     • wearable technology
       • personal mini-computers -> Google Glass
         • google eye
       • Apple Watch
         • a lot of functions
     • medicine
       • enable surgery at a distance
     • education
       • e-boards
       • interactive whiteboards assist learners
     • babysitters
   • internet platforms
     • disadvantages
       • business
         • shopping platforms hurt smaller business
         • no face-to-face contact between sellers and buyers
         • paying over the net safe?
         • cloud computing and croud funding: security issues
       • social networking
         • indentity theft and cyber bulling via social media sites
         • validity and truthfulness of tweets and news cannot be guaranteed
         • sites abused for propaganda
     • advantages
       • business
         • e-commerce platforms profitable for retailers and buyers
         • crowdfunding sites help start-ups
         • cloud computing facilitates work and saves money
         • job search sites for jobseekers
       • education
         • e-learning sites
       • social networking
         • social networking sites for communication (messages, photos)

3. biotechnology

   • genetic engineering
     • plants with new genes
       • Golden rice
       • demand of chemical-free farming
         • herbizidresistent plants
       • producing more food
     • transfer of new genes

4. technology and Medicine

   • cosmetic and reconstructive surgery
   • organ donation
     • illegal organ market
     • save lifes
   • neuro enhancers
   • reproduction
     • cloning
     • artificial insemination and test-tube babies
     • surrogate motherhood
   • stem cells
     • leukemia

5. communication technology

   • social media
     • different plattforms
       • facebook
       • twitter
       • instagram
     • opprtunities
       • keep in touch with friends all over the world
       • giving insight of your daily live to friends
         • share new photos/inforamtion and news
       • messaging for free
       • getting in touch with new people easily
     • dangers
       • get isolated
       • Piracy is a big issue
       • mobbing and stalking
         • suffer from psychological problems
         • commit suicid
       • internet addiction
       • real world gets neglected
   • opportunities
     • information available "at your fingertips"
     • social network sites facilitate communication
     • consumers and firms profit from online banking, e-commerce
   • dangers
     • fear of losing social contacts
     • fraudsters use net for illegal activities
     • privacy endangered (private data collection)