The Shaping Control of Technology

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The theory of cultural lag explores how culture takes much time to catch up with new technological advancements (Appleman, 2008, p. 32). According to supporters of the theory, such a lag can cause numerous societal conflicts or problems. For example, the use of modern technologies has led to new inventions such as stem cells and genetically-modified foods (Appleman, 2008). Although such developments might be beneficial to mankind, the agreeable fact is they have resulted in numerous ethical concerns.

Convergence theory argues that different communities develop new requirements in order for them to operate and function effectively (Appleman, 2008). When societies become industrialized, they acquire new functions and structures thus resembling other developed communities. This theory is supported by the similarities exhibited by mixed economies such as Germany and Japan. The United States and the USSR developed similar industrial capabilities especially after the Second World War.

The federal government has the potential to dictate every course of technological advancement. The government sponsors various studies and researches that can result in new technologies. The missions executed by NASA explain the importance of the government towards supporting various technological developments. The government also implements policies to dictate the manner in which modern technologies are developed, shared, and used by its citizens (Volti, 2014).

The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) was established in 1976 with the aim of advising the Executive on the issues surrounding new technologies. The purpose of the office was to ensure every new technology was sound and profitable (Office of Science and Technology Policy, 2016). The role of the office is to ensure every technological work is coordinated in a professional manner and supports the needs of the society.

Governments and corporations have the potential to control the World Wide Web (Al-Jazeera English, 2012). Different bills have been proposed to ensure the government controls the Web. However, such laws have encountered diverse views from different people. For instance, many people have been opposed to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) bills (Appleman, 2008). Such opponents argued that such bills threatened the wave of human innovation.

The bills could also empower law enforcers to bock every form of internet access. As well, the bills threatened the rights of more people. On the other hand, some people supported the bills because they could protect the intellectual properties of many entrepreneurs (Page, 2012). The bills were also aimed at protecting many jobs, institutions, revenues, and industries. Many companies were also expected to benefit from the war against online piracy. I would support the bills and laws if only there were implemented in a proper manner (Volti, 2014). As well, the government should not use such laws to block the internet.

The decision to give the government remote control over private routers is advantageous if executed in a professional manner. However, the move can produce numerous problems such as insecurity. The current technological issues, social implications, and legal considerations explain why new researches are needed. That being the situation, I would not give the government remote control over my router.

This is the case because the strategy will ensure the ultimate control of the router is no longer in the hands of the owner. As well, the move can produce numerous problems during the implementation process. The decision can also increase chances of abuse and eventually affect the rights of many citizens (Brodkin, 2012). The owners control will also be reduced thus affecting the usability of the internet. Theoretically, it should be acknowledgeable that the principle will be hard to implement. The move will also affect the liberties of more citizens and increase cases of cybercrime in the country.

The other important issue is associated with an internet kill switch (Page, 2012). I strongly believe that there should not be an internet kill switch. To begin with, it would be impossible for the government to clamp down every form of internet access. As well, the countrys law is against such a dictatorial shutdown (Page, 2012). The countrys internet access is provided by many companies.

Such companies are engaged in business activities and therefore the government would find it impossible to block the internet. However, the government can engage in such an authoritarian act and eventually turn off the internet. The important thing is to ensure there are valid laws prohibiting the government from imposing such an internet kill switch. This move will protect the rights and liberties of every citizen in the country.

Human beings have for centuries treated themselves as unique creatures. The book Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space goes further to describe the Earth as a small planet in the Solar System. Human beings should no longer be Earth-centered. They should focus on the best strategies in order to save humanity. The human race can be saved through space colonization. People should explore the dangers faced by planet Earth (Sagan, 1997). Comets and heavenly bodies pose a major threat to planet Earth. This knowledge therefore encourages people to widen their views. They should consider the best technologies and strategies that will support their existence in the wider solar system.

Reference List

Al-Jazeera English. (2012). Fault Lines: Controlling the Web. Web.

Appleman, L. (2008). Redesigning the Internet for Content Regulation. Boca Raton, FL: Universal Publishers.

Brodkin, J. (2012). Would you give the government remote control over your router. Web.

Office of Science and Technology Policy. (2016). Web.

Page, E. (2012). The Internet Kill Switch: Is It Possible for the Government to Turn Off the Internet. Web.

Sagan, C. (1997). Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.

Volti, R. (2014). Society and Technological Change. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

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The Shaping Control of Technology

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