Example of historic and current impact of computer technology on the economy, environment, essay

Introduction

Initially, the term computer came into existence in 1613 and it referred to a person that performed calculations and computations. This went on until in the 19th century when it changed its meaning to refer a machine used in performing calculations. Charles Babbage introduced the first computing engine in 1822, which was capable of computing different sets of numbers as well as coming up with hard copies. However, the initial programmable computer came into existence in 1943 developed by Tommy Flowers, which aimed at helping British code breakers in order for them to read encrypted messages (Cullingford & Haq, 2009).

Invention of computers and internet has drastically changed the world in dissimilar ways. For example, they have changed the manner in which people communicate and work. Notably, computers have also caused some changes to the world’s economy. For example, it led to the reduction of manufacturing jobs. This is so because before the invention of computers, U. S factories used to offer dissimilar jobs to the citizens. Therefore, the increasing rates of machines in the society have enabled machine to replace labor by performing complex tasks.

However, companies prefer using machines to work force because they are faster and cheaper. Additionally, people claim that computers have positive effects to the environment by saving the trees because they require less application of papers. However, this is not the case before saying that computers save papers is only possible in theories. This is so because in practice, computers have enhanced the use of papers whereby many people prefer storing their work in hardcopy to avoid losing them in case the computer crashes. Computers have environmental destructive processes because it entails air conditioning, heating lights and electronic powers among others (Hodson & Sullivan, 2008).

Additionally, the daily increasing use of computers in the education world has affected the learning process in differing manners. However, people have been using computational devices for a long time but since the invention of electronic computers, they have been essential in the increment of academic achievement. This is possible because many students, who do not get on well with the traditional teaching methods, use computers to assist them in learning so that they can improve their grades. Computers enhance performance because they offer individualized learning while teachers cannot cater for individual needs of a student. Computers have also increased efficiency in education because they are much faster than the traditional methods of learning. On the contrary, computers have negative effects on education where by students using laptops in class can face destructions by visiting social sites thus causing a negative effect on their scores. In addition, computers and internet have improved relationships among people from varying places as they communicate and make friends using social sites such as twitter, MySpace, face book and Skype among others (Cullingford & Haq, 2009).

Finally, computers have an effect on moral development in the contemporary society. For example, invention of computers has led to lack of affective feedback in the society. This is so because communications that go on through commuters do not offer the users immediate feedback. As a result, people end up thinking that their words have less impact on others. Furthermore, computers have lowered the rate of fear relating to detection and punishment. For instance, the anonymity application of electronic communication such as emails had made it difficult to locate and punish the criminals. Therefore, this makes it hard for the modern society to regulate illegal misbehaviors because they encounter problems while trying to determine the offender. However, internet also acts as a new world, which implies that rules applicable on property and privacy are no longer in existence (Hodson & Sullivan, 2008).

References

Cullingford, C., & Haq, N. (2009). Computers, schools and students: The effects of technology. Farnham, England: Ashgate Pub.
Hodson, R., & Sullivan, T. A. (2008). The social organization of work. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.