Technology is a Useful Servant but a Dangerous Master 

This year the mighty Indian ocean was witnessing formation gigantic super – cyclone named Amphan. It had potential of causing large seals destruction of life & property. But use technological devices like satellite, Doppler Radar etc helped early evacuation of people avoiding a major catastrophe.

However, in the year 1942, USA started an ambitious project named Manhattan project. USA aimed at becoming superpower with the help of technology. This projected culminated into use of nuclear weapon on Hiroshima & Nagasaki causing human destruction never seen before. To this, J. oppenheimer – father of nuclear weapon remarked -by quoting a verb from GITA – ‘NOW I have become death, the destroyer of the world’

The above two contrasting incidents show that technology is both boon and bane – If used ethically; It can help resolving major issues of humanity like helping farmers, treating complex medical cases, casing human life etc. But it used for narrow purposes. it can cause immense dannage to humanity. In the words of Klaus Schwab, it can cause extinction of human race.

Technology as a useful servant – A SILVER LINING

Technology has potential to make our life easier. It half can make earth a better place by assisting us tacking our major challenges.

In medical field, technology is being used to save lives of people. It has helped increasing life expectancy of people from 40 years in 1950s to 71 years in 2018 (WHO). Delivery of medicines through novo – bullet – robots, Robotic surgery, telemedicine to reach hinterland during COVID – 19 (eq – e – sanjeevani) etc have proved that technology is Indeed a boon. For instance, the world’s scientists are busy discovering vaccine for COVID – 19 using technology to defeat this egregious menace.

Similarly, technology has helped increasing farms productivity  to meat food security. For instance during Green revolution, India used HYV seed, fertilizers, technologies to increase food productivity. The soil health card, village resource centre, various technological revolution have made farming an easy task. It can further help doing precision farming to attain goal sustainable farming.

Apart from this, Administrative usage of technology has ensured good governance around the world. How people directly demand services from the government. Government implements policies very effectively. e – Governance has reduced corruption, eliminated arbitrariness and has made governance public centric. For instance, success of Swacch Bharat Mission, Give. it up (pahal), Beti Bachao, Beti padhao scheme became success due to aid from technology.

Advent of new technologies live AI, Big data analytics, Internet of things etc have made our lives easier. How we can hail a cab without any hustle, we can watch developments about us presidential elections etc sitting at our sofa with just a mouse click. Tele education, Social media, online delivery system eq – Amazon, zomato etc have ensured happiness in everyone’s lives.

Apart from this, the security of nation now can be ensured very effectively. Technology has helped managing borders effectively. Eq CBIMS, It has aided security agencies deterring terrorist attacks. For instance, use of cart sat, UAV – robot (Rustom) etc helped us conducting surgical strikes against Pakistan in wake of uri terrorist attack.

Further, technology has helped ensuring sustainable wag of development. Now, we can manage our solid waste through pyrolysis, incineration without causing pollution. BS – VI, electric precipitator, Flue gas desulfurization have reduced emission from vehicles and industries respectively. Recently NITI Agog & EU has signed a deal to decarbonize transport using various technologies.

Moreover, technology has made democracy more vibrant and convocational. Noam Chomsky says that now politicians have become more accountable to the people. Indian elections are becoming fairer as there is a fear of reprisal by public, if a politician over reaches his/her level.

Hence, technology has helped ensuring human security, energy security, food security, enhanced economic growth, increased social capital. But at the same time, the treatment of technology as master has created multitude of challenges for humanity. The technology ‘god’ has made world more vulnerable to threats than it was ever before.

Technology as Dangerous master – A Deadly recipe for disaster

Once Gandhiji remarked that ‘diabolical’ use of technology will become satanic for humans. He was quite right in his judgment.

The development of nuclear weapon has made this planet prisoner of some people filled with narrow passions. Nuclear weapons were developed as d deterrence to protect national interest. However, as per Pf. Ramesh Thakur, there is a chance of accidental launch leading nuclear war which will not differentiate between Jihadi & Fasadi. Similarly, countries like USA, Russia, china etc are developing Robo – Army, hypersonic missles which can destroy humanity within minutes.

Moreover, there is a challenge of data security and Right to privacy. As in the case of Edward snow den who revealed the USA’s NSA massive surveillance programme around word and Cambridge Analytica issue of Facebook put a question mark an technological Prowers. Narrow national interests and mad per suit of capital threatens humans’ dignity.

Similarly, Anthony Giddens says that technology combined with globalization has made terrorism global & more catastrophic, Now terrorist organizations raise fund, recruit ‘warriors’, spread  propaganda using technology at a larger seale. The ISIS use technology to spread radicalization. Similarly, Christchurch attack, Ester attack used technology to spread fear among people around the world.

Moving forward, some technological advancement like Block chain technology, Bit coin are used to threaten traditional economic structure of a nation. G-20 summit – Osaka raised the challenge of Base erosion profit shifting by MHCs using technology which leads to loss of revenue to govt.

Similarly, instrumental use of technology has promoted materialism & consumerism leading to destruction of environment &: Biodiversity. As per IPCC special report, climate change has been accentuated mainly due to irrational use of technologies.

Apart from this, immoral use of social media has led to destruction of social harmony in India. It has promoted instances of take news causing mob lynching, vigilantism etc. In Europe, social media is used to promote anti refugee propaganda, xenophobia etc.

Hence, there is a need to ensure that technology remains a friend of humanity and does not become a toe.

Technology: MORAL USE

Firstly, technology must encompass morality. Without ethics, it will promot anarchy reading to war, conflict and mistrust.

Secondly, the welfare prevails over profit and narrow passions. It should be a trans formational force to ensure Justice & Equity. 

Thirdly, technology must be regulated so as to prevent negative externalities. Good regulation, implementation of cyber security policy will promote cohesion & stability.

Lastly, Global cooperation must be there so as to prevent anti – social elements from misusing technology. It will help achieving goal of ‘cosmopolitan world’

Thus, technology is a double – edged sword how we use Hit sword will determine our future. Let us not treat technology as a master, let us not fight a technological war. We have another war to fight war against poverty, hunger, ignorance, exploitation of down trodden and technology will prove to be a catalyst in winning our just and moral war. Such is the positive force of technology.