Social Impact Of Technology Poster
For this assignment I will discuss, from the materialistic perspective, social changes that have occurred with the invention of the cellular phone. I will explore this technological innovation and examine 10 effects the cell phone has had on society. To begin I will briefly examine the evolution of the cell phone.
In the not so distant past if two people wanted to communicate they did so by meeting face to face. If they were geographically separated the means changed to writing and post a letter. It wasn’t until Alexander Bell invented the telephone that people began to communicate electronically. Fast forward to the 1980’s and the first commercially produced cell phone came into existence. Ironically the first cell phone cost $4,000 and measured 13” x 1.75” x 3.5” inches and weighed 28 ounces, it was so big and heavy, even its creators had nicknamed it "The Brick." The battery life lasted a whopping 30 minutes. Can you imagine what havoc that would cause today? Life as we know it might come to a screeching halt. Today cell phones are pocket sized and have battery lives that last days. They are not just phones either; most can perform many of the same functions that are accomplished on our home and work computers. Having briefly examined the historical change from writing letter to today’s cell phone I will now examine 10 effects cell phones have had on our society. I will begin by examining some positive examples.
You might be surprised to learn that cell phones make saving and spending money easier. For example if you live in a town with no bank your cell phone can be used to make digital transactions that are cheaper and safer that paying with cash or credit. Cell phone-based finance also makes credit available to those less fortunate. They can invest in building a home or starting a small business simply by owing a cell phone. According to the Department of International Development (DFID), “Over a billion people own a mobile phone
In the not so distant past if two people wanted to communicate they did so by meeting face to face. If they were geographically separated the means changed to writing and post a letter. It wasn’t until Alexander Bell invented the telephone that people began to communicate electronically. Fast forward to the 1980’s and the first commercially produced cell phone came into existence. Ironically the first cell phone cost $4,000 and measured 13” x 1.75” x 3.5” inches and weighed 28 ounces, it was so big and heavy, even its creators had nicknamed it "The Brick." The battery life lasted a whopping 30 minutes. Can you imagine what havoc that would cause today? Life as we know it might come to a screeching halt. Today cell phones are pocket sized and have battery lives that last days. They are not just phones either; most can perform many of the same functions that are accomplished on our home and work computers. Having briefly examined the historical change from writing letter to today’s cell phone I will now examine 10 effects cell phones have had on our society. I will begin by examining some positive examples.
You might be surprised to learn that cell phones make saving and spending money easier. For example if you live in a town with no bank your cell phone can be used to make digital transactions that are cheaper and safer that paying with cash or credit. Cell phone-based finance also makes credit available to those less fortunate. They can invest in building a home or starting a small business simply by owing a cell phone. According to the Department of International Development (DFID), “Over a billion people own a mobile phone
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