Modern Technology

There is little doubt that technology impacts the world to a startling degree. For example, business people around the globe use computers to perform work-related tasks. Some of the impacts of modern technology are positive, but others are not. Looking at a list of the advantages and disadvantages of technology is useful because it provides a means by which an individual may assess whether technology implementation is worth potential risks.

Efficiency and Productivity. An increase in technology generally means that tasks are completed faster and more efficiently. This translates to increased productivity. From the business standpoint, this is definitely an advantage, since increased productivity means better sales, services or manufacturing.

Job Loss. When an organization uses technology properly, the technology typically cuts the number of hours that need to be worked. This increases profit for the organization because it doesn’t need to pay workers to remain on the job site. However, if the technology cuts the number of hours drastically enough, some individuals may lose their jobs entirely because the technology essentially completes the tasks that the employee originally did. Factories are the best example of this - as more and more robots complete assembly line tasks in an automated way, there’s less of a need for physical workers. According to Small Business Bible, jobs are created by technology too, such as information technology specialist positions.

Finances. It is debatable whether or not technology is financially a disadvantage or advantage. On one hand, technology is cost effective, according to Small Business Bible - technology may boost revenue and profit through increased efficiency, productivity and limited man hours. However, a business may lose this revenue and profit simply because they have to support and update all of the technology they use. For example, a business may reduce the number of office employee hours with a handful of software programs, but it then may have to pay a technology consultant fees for installing and answering questions about how to use the programs.

Precision. Technology means that people can perform tasks with an incredibly high degree of accuracy. For example, in medicine, machines can measure the exact amount of oxygen a person is taking in or make an incision to within millimeters.

Health. Technology may cause numerous health problems. For example, according to Practice, Medical News Today, PR Log and Poynton, scientists, researchers and doctors such as Darius Lakdawalla, Tomas Philipson, Amy Drescher and Charles Poynton are concerned about the links between technology, obesity/heart problems, eye strain, deafness and muscle issues. Waste from technology such as the used fuel and emissions from factory machines may pollute the environment, disturbing ecosystems and making people sick.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power is a controversial source of energy, having both unique advantages and disadvantages. Energy is created through nuclear fission using uranium-235 or plutonium-239 isotopes. Large amounts of kinetic energy are produced during this process and converted into electricity. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversees the nuclear power industry in the United States.

Environmental Impact.

Nuclear power has a different type of environmental impact than other energy sources. Abnormal events at nuclear power plants, such as a release of radioactive material following a damaging earthquake, can have severe consequences for the environment. Extensive backup systems and modern technology can reduce the chance of these events happening. The waste produced is discharged, high-level radioactive spent fuel and low- to intermediate-level radioactive waste. A modern nuclear plant produces about 1,050 cubic feet of compacted waste a year; compare this to a 1000-megawatt coal plant sending about 24,250 tons of nitrous oxides and 48,500 tons of sulphur oxides into the atmosphere each year.

Security Issues

Nuclear power plants must be thoroughly protected from terrorist attacks. Stolen fuel rods can potentially be used to make a "dirty bomb." An aircraft attack on a plant could release radioactive material. Use of nuclear power, however, can help a country reduce its dependence on external fuel sources and avoid national security threats and economic issues if those fuel sources become unavailable.

Costs

Nuclear power plants have high startup costs. Plants must invest heavily in containment systems and emergency plans. Extensive backup systems must be built and contingency plans must be developed to handle the rare threat of core meltdown. The cost of a nuclear plant’s future decommissioning must be considered and funded, as well. Despite these costs, the uranium used for nuclear power plants is a heavily concentrated source of energy that transports easily.

Waste Storage

Radioactive waste must be placed in long-term storage systems. Spent fuel rods emit dangerous radioactivity that slowly decreases with time through radioactive decay. The United States has no permanent facility for high-level nuclear waste, so spent fuel is commonly stored in sites near nuclear power plants.