Technology - Who Needs It?

It’s easy to argue that responsibility for many of the world’s biggest problems can be laid at the door of modern industrial technology. That’s because there is abundant evidence for it: cars, planes, electrically powered devices of every kind and massive amounts of transportation. The net result has been depletion of the earth’s precious resources and pollution on an unprecedented level.

In particular, our dependence on fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) to power these technologies has resulted in a sorry state of affairs. There is now less fossil fuel left in the ground than we have already burned, so at the present rate of progress we will soon be running short. But what we have already burned (since that’s how you extract energy from fossil fuel) has built up a legacy of excess Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere.

So we’re filling up at the Last Chance Gas Station and will soon be running on fumes, waiting for the inevitable breakdown and long walk back. It would be ironic if the final blow was delivered by our own modern transport network in the form of some especially virulent worldwide pandemic.

But how likely is this scenario really and can the blame all be laid at the door of technology? The fact is that this is hardly a first offence - as a species we have a pretty poor record when it comes bad behaviour leading to unfortunate consequences. But every time we’ve somehow managed to survive and emerge stronger.

Fundamentally, technology and humans go together; you never find one without evidence of the other. Technology is in our DNA and no matter how far back in time you look, whenever human remains are found, invariably there are technological artifacts nearby.

Since forever we have been making and wearing clothes and decorations, fashioning tools and weapons, storing and cooking food, drawing pictures and playing music. We cannot help ourselves - we truly are a species that depends on its ability to create and use technology, just as others rely on their wings, or venom, or thick fur.

Whoever first painted animal shapes on a cave wall set us inexorably on the path to writing, printing, and now digital telecommunication. That first flint spear head was destined to lead eventually to nuclear armaments, just as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony would not have been possible had someone not thought to hollow out a small animal bone to make a simple flute.

Human technology has never stood still - it has always evolved, adapted and improved. Quite often in response to the unwelcome consequences of earlier technology. For example, modern sanitation systems were developed only as a response to the squalor caused by urban crowding as the Industrial Revolution took off on the back of steam technology.

So we can be assured then that even if technology is indeed to blame for the current sorry state of affairs, it is still the only means we have to fix things again. Reverting back to some “Golden Age” before modern technology is a naive and dangerous idea; the solution lies in developing better eco-technologies (e.g. extend use of the internet and embrace high efficiency solar energy and low power consumption light emitting diodes).

These newer technologies use fewer of the planet’s resources and cause less pollution, both directly and indirectly (by reducing the need to travel so much for example). Yet at the same time they can enhance our lives and broaden the choices available to us. Sure, one day we’ll realise that they too were less than perfect and guess what we’ll do then?

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categories: ecotechnology,solar power,led lighting,climate change,global warming,the future,future technology,technology,future

Solar Power Home - Understanding The Pros And Cons

Many families and individuals are interested in saving money; one of the best ways to do so is by having a solar power home. Solar power is a wonderful alternative against the continually rising costs of other types of fuel and energy. You can get the electricity you require and do some good for our environment. However, there are various pros and cons you need to consider when you choose to use solar energy.

Advantages:

Solar power is a natural, environmentally friendly resource that can generate the type of energy you need. Solar power does not generate toxins and pollution in order to give you electricity. You get what you need and are still helping to save our planet.

Sun energy offers an unlimited supply of energy that will not run out. You will never have the same worries associated with such energy sources as oil and gas.

When you have a solar power home, your energy source is free to use. Therefore, you cut out the cost of high monthly bills for the use of electricity.

There is no maintenance costs associated with the use of a solar power home and your solar power system. Solar cells can last a lifetime without the costs of maintenance or replacement parts. This means you can eliminate the need to add in any maintenance costs each month from your budget.

Now that you understand the various advantages of having a solar power home, you should know the disadvantages as well.

Disadvantages:

The biggest disadvantage of converting to a solar power home is the expense of installing the system. You need to do some research to determine the costs of powering your whole house with solar energy. Although, there are individuals working daily to reduce the cost of this energy source, it is yet expensive to install. However, you can cut the costs associated with installing solar power by building your own system. You will require a manual to learn how to convert to a solar power home.

Two: With a solar power home, one big drawback is that if the sun is not shining then you can’t produce solar energy. In other words, when it is raining, at night or even times in the winter, you will not be able to use this power source.

There are other advantages and disadvantages you should consider; however, these are the most essential. Invest some time in researching and then determine whether you want a solar power home. There are various advantages and disadvantages you need to consider to make an educated decision about having a solar power home.

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