Saturday, August 1, 2009
Science and Technology
Science and technology is pretty much a double-edged sword. In the hands of the good, it will bring about positive advancements and great benefits to mankind. But it is in the hands of the evil, one can say that the world is pretty much screwed. I know it sounds fantasy-like, but it does have tinges of truth in it.
It is undeniable that science and technology has brought about great leaps in mankind, allowing us to raise our living standards and go about doing things in a more effective way.
For one, the use of medicine has saved billions of lives, reduced the sufferings of some, and helped prevent the demise of many others by stopping fatal diseases such as tuberculosis and pandemics such as the plague. It also increases the life expectancy of everyone over the times, allowing us to continue living our lives to the fullest. Antibiotics and vaccinations are the ones that allow us to continue living normally in the current world. Communications is another example that I think should be brought up. Without the invention of telephones and the World Wide Web, we would probably be still sending letters and throwing out messenger pigeons. Without them to pave the way for more inventions and discoveries, we will still be stuck in the same old conditions in the medieval times.
However, with the advancements of the mankind comes the invention of weapons. The prime example is the nuclear weapon, which can annihilate entire cities in a single blow and cause massive destruction. Think of North Korea. With that mad-hat Kim and his barrage of nuclear arms at his disposal, there is no telling what he will do, and the amount of destruction it might cause. Humanity is threatened in this case.
Some say that science is now trying to play God, and this accusation is absurd. I would prefer to think that they both work in sync, and science is simply something that tries to explain the existence of God and the laws of the Nature. I believe that both should exist together. Yes, science and technology is the one that has helped mankind progress to where we are today. However, there will be times when people feel a spiritual void in themselves, and only religion can fill that emptiness.
With great powers comes great responsibility. Science can bring about tremendous benefits if one can use it responsibly. But if it is lost to the hands of the bad, putting it in the most negative way possible, mankind is going to get annihilated.
