Personal Computer
Revolution & the Internet
Computer Revolution: Early computers were
so large they filled up entire rooms and were incredibly
slow. Today, computers sit on desktops and can perform
many complex operations at once. Computers have allowed
people to obtain, process, and
disseminate information very quickly.
Businesses rely almost completely on computers for a
variety of tasks, and they are becoming more prominent
in homes and school. The great increase in use of the
computer is called the Computer Revolution.
The Internet: The Internet is a vast
network of computers from all around the world that
links individuals, businesses,
 and
governments. It started as a system of Defense
Department computers linked together for better
communication, and to research better ways of command
and control of various weapons systems. This early
system was called ARPANET, which stands for
Advanced Research Projects Agency, and from it grew
today's internet. The Internet allows for the
rapid exchange of information, it is
used to conduct all levels of business, and is
increasing becoming a new form of entertainment. The
Internet is also being increasingly used in education
as jobs in industrialized countries move
away from manufacturing, and into information
services.
Medical Technology
Since the end of World War II, medical science have made
amazing advances. Today, people live longer, healthier
lives, infant mortality is down, and the quality of life
has been raised.
|
Important
Advances |
| Antibiotics |
Scientists have developed
antibiotics that treat diseases associated with
bacteria |
| Vaccines |
Vaccines have helped to eliminate
some diseases such as smallpox and prevented the
spread of many others. |
| Transplants |
Surgeons developed and gradually
improved transplanting organs to help save lives. |
| Laser Surgery |
Lasers, or concentrated beams of
light, have made many surgical procedures safer. |
New Challenges
Genetic Engineering: The process of
changing the chemical code carrier by living things may
hold promise for creating new drugs and curing disease.
In 1997, the first complete clone was
created, which has since caused a lot of controversy.
How far should science go to preserve human life?
New Epidemics: The biggest epidemic of
modern times is AIDS. Scientists continue to
search for a cure to this disease which has cost
millions their lives. Other recent epidemics include
both pneumonia and bubonic in India, and
the spread of the Ebola virus through parts of
Africa.
Drug Resistant Diseases: The widespread use
of antibiotics has allowed some types of disease
microbes to become resistant. Certain diseases,
such as tuberculosis, which doctors once thought
under control, have become a threat again.
Impact of
Technology on the Environment
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are any carbon based fuel derived from the
decomposed remains of prehistoric plants and animals.
The burning of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal,
peat,
petroleum, and natural gas have allowed for the
development of many different
 technologies to improve
life. The Industrial Revolution marked the beginning of
the widespread use of these fuels in the United States.
Today, fossil fuels power our cars, heat our homes, and
run the factories that manufacture everything we use in
our lives. However, recent science has suggested that
the use of fossil fuels has damaged the environment, and
many groups are pushing for cleaner forms of energy.
The Middle East is a major producer of fossil fuels,
with the United States as its biggest customer.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is usually electrical power produced from
nuclear fusion or fission. Nuclear power is supposed to
be cleaner to produce than the energy created by the
burning of fossil fuels. Whereas fossil fuels will
someday run out, the ability to produce nuclear power
should not. However, nuclear power does have dangerous
side effects. Radioactive waste products must be stored
somewhere, and the threat of nuclear accidents, like the
incident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in
the late 1970's.
The use of nuclear power and the building of nuclear
weapons represents a very great threat to the
environment. Besides the threat of accident, the
other problem with nuclear power is the waste products
produced. Storage of this material and the potential
for accidents with it are the concern of the many. The
dumping of this material into the sea or
burial underground has been outlawed by international treaty,
which the United States and other nuclear countries
searching for safe disposal solutions. As the use of
nuclear power becomes more prevalent, these issues will
have to be addressed.
Pollution
Pollution is the contamination of the environment by
human acts. Pollution is harmful to all living things
and can take many forms including, air pollution from
the burning of fossil fuels, and water and soil
pollution form the dumping of waste products, industrial
accidents, and the use of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran around in
Prince William Sound, Alaska which caused the ship to
dump 10.9 million gallons of oil into the ocean.
Cleanup of this spill was slow, and caused much damage
to the environment as a result. Pollution has also
caused health problems in humans
 including respiratory
disease and different forms of cancer. Pollution is
also responsible for destroying various animals, plants,
and insects as it destroys their natural habitat.
Ozone Layer
The Ozone Layer is the upper portion of the Earth's
atmosphere that screens out most of the Sun's harmful
ultraviolet radiation. Recent science has suggested that
industrial air pollutants, such as chlorofluorocarbon,
has damaged the ozone layer by creating a hole in it.
Through this hole, damaging UV radiation penetrates to
the Earth's surface. Increased exposure to this
radiation can cause skin cancer in humans, damage crops,
and destroy the marine ecology. Many nations around the
world have ceased using CFCs in the production of
industrial materials.
Global Warming
Global Warming is the rising of the average temperature
worldwide. Scientist are concerned about this because
of the
 potential destructive effects of this phenomena.
Global warming, if it continues, will reach a point
where the arctic glaciers begin to melt, causing
worldwide floods. Scientists believe global warming is
caused by the greenhouse effect, which is a build up of
warm air in the lower atmosphere. This occurs from the
use of CFCs, the burning of fossil fuels, and
deforestation. Many countries around the world have been
working to limit these destructive forces. The United
States has been accused of doing less than needed due to
its refusal to sign the Kyoto Accords which called for a
5% reduction below the 1990 levels of greenhouse gas
emissions. Currently, the United States releases
more of these gases than any other country,
Acid Rain
Acid rain happens when rain is polluted by airborne
contaminants such as those left by the burning of fossil
fuels, automobile exhaust, and the use of
CFCs. Acid
rain is damaging to farmland, bodies of water, and can
travel large distances due to strong winds. Like other
environmental problems, steps are being taken in the
United States and the international community to stop the production of these
pollutants.
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