STS Chapter 5: The Information Age
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The Information Age
We live in a time called the Information Age, where digital technology has become an essential part of everyday life. Tools like smartphones, computers, and the internet have changed how we communicate, work, and even farm. These changes are especially important for agriculture and technical-vocational students, as technology opens up new ways to improve productivity and solve problems. Let’s explore how digital technology shapes communication, boosts efficiency, and impacts society, helping students like you prepare for a future where technology plays a big role in farming, business, and technical work.
How Digital Technology Shapes Our Lives Today
Digital technologies are tools like smartphones, computers, and the internet. These tools have changed the way we live, work, and connect with each other. Let’s explore how they affect communication, productivity, and society, especially in ways that matter to agriculture and technical-vocational students like you.
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Changes in Communication
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How we talk and share ideas has changed a lot because of technology.
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Instant Connection
Smartphones and social media allow us to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Farmers can now share tips with others across the country or ask experts for advice online. -
New Ways to Communicate
Emails, text messages, and video calls make communication easier, especially for businesses. For example, you can text a supplier about tools or seeds instead of traveling long distances. But sometimes, these methods lead to misunderstandings since we can’t see facial expressions or hear tone clearly. -
Information at Your Fingertips
The internet gives us access to a world of knowledge. Whether you’re learning about better farming methods or finding ways to repair tools, you can search for answers quickly.
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Boosting Productivity
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Technology has made work faster and smarter.
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Saving Time and Effort
Machines and apps help reduce repetitive tasks. For instance, instead of watering plants by hand, automated irrigation systems can save time and ensure crops get just the right amount of water. -
Teamwork Made Easy
Tools like project management apps allow groups to work together, even from far away. For example, a group project for school or farm planning can be done online without everyone meeting in person. -
Starting Your Own Business
Today, it’s easier than ever to start a small business. If you dream of selling farm products or handmade items, online platforms let you market and sell your goods without needing a physical store.
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Changes in Society
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Technology is reshaping how we live and interact with others.
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Relationships in the Digital Age
Technology connects us to people far away, but it can also pull us away from those nearby. For example, spending too much time on your phone might mean less time talking with family or friends. -
Learning Anytime, Anywhere
Online education lets people learn new skills without needing to attend school physically. This is helpful for those in rural areas who want to improve their knowledge on topics like pest control or welding techniques. -
Speaking Up for Causes
Social media helps raise awareness about important issues like climate change or food security. However, it’s important to check the facts before sharing posts to avoid spreading wrong information.
What This Means for You
Digital technology is a powerful tool that can improve your life if used wisely. As agriculture and BTLED-AFA students, you can use technology to learn, work more efficiently, and connect with others. But remember, balance is key—use technology to help, not to distract.
By embracing digital tools thoughtfully, you can prepare for a future where technology will continue to play a big role in farming, business, and technical work.
GMOs: Their Role in Sustainability and Public Health
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are living things, like plants or animals, that have been changed in a laboratory to improve certain traits. These changes make them more useful for farming and food production. Let’s look at how GMOs can help or create challenges in sustainability and public health.
How GMOs Help Sustainability
GMOs can make farming better for the environment and help farmers produce more food in a sustainable way.
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More Food Production
GMO crops can produce more food than regular crops. This is important because the world’s population is growing, and we need to feed more people. -
Fewer Pests and Diseases
Some GMO crops are made to resist pests and diseases, meaning farmers don’t have to use as many pesticides. This saves money, reduces chemical use, and helps the environment. -
Surviving Dry Weather
Certain GMOs can survive with less water, which is helpful in areas with dry climates or during droughts. This allows farmers to continue growing crops even when water is limited. -
Less Fuel, Cleaner Air
GMO crops can reduce the need for some farming activities like plowing the fields too often. This means less fuel is used, and there are fewer greenhouse gases, which helps fight climate change.
Challenges of GMOs in Sustainability
While GMOs have many benefits, they also create some challenges.
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Fewer Types of Plants
When farmers grow only a few types of GMO crops, it can harm biodiversity. This means fewer kinds of plants in the environment, which can affect ecosystems. -
"Superweeds"
Some GMO crops are made to resist herbicides (chemicals that kill weeds). Over time, weeds can become resistant to these chemicals, leading to "superweeds" that are harder to control. Farmers may need to use even stronger herbicides, which can harm the soil and water.
GMOs and Public Health
GMOs also affect human health. Scientists and government agencies work to make sure they are safe to eat, but there are things to consider:
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Safe to Eat
Organizations like the FDA and USDA check GMO foods to ensure they are safe. These foods are carefully tested before being sold in markets. -
More Nutrition
Some GMOs are made to have more vitamins or minerals. For example, certain GMO rice is made to have extra Vitamin A, which helps prevent blindness in children. But scientists also watch for possible unintended effects, like losing other nutrients. -
Allergic Reactions
Adding new genes to foods might cause allergies in some people. Careful testing helps identify and reduce this risk before the food reaches consumers.
What This Means for You
As future agriculture and technical professionals, understanding GMOs is important. They can help you grow better crops, manage resources wisely, and produce healthier food. But it’s also important to consider the challenges and make informed decisions.
By learning more about GMOs, you’ll be ready to use this technology responsibly to support farming, protect the environment, and improve public health.
Ethical and Political Issues in Digital Technology and Genetic Engineering
Digital technology and genetic engineering are powerful tools that can change how we live, work, and grow food. But they also bring important questions about what is right and fair. These questions help us think about how these technologies affect people, animals, and the environment.
Ethical Concerns
Ethics is about knowing what is right or wrong. Here are some big questions when it comes to digital technology and genetic engineering:
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Safety and Risks
Genetic engineering can improve crops and even cure diseases, but it’s not perfect. For example, using gene-editing tools like CRISPR might cause unexpected problems, like health risks for people or animals in the future. Scientists are still studying these risks. -
Fairness and Access
Not everyone has access to these advanced technologies. If only rich countries or wealthy people can afford them, the gap between the rich and poor could grow bigger. This is unfair because everyone should have access to better food and health care. -
Animal Welfare
Changing the genes of animals to improve their traits can affect their health and well-being. For example, genetically modified animals might suffer in ways we don’t fully understand. Many people are concerned about how these animals are treated during experiments. -
Improving Humans
Some scientists talk about using genetic engineering to improve human traits, like making people smarter or stronger. But this raises serious questions: Is it fair? Will it create new inequalities where some people are seen as “better” than others because of genetic changes?
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Political Issues
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Governments and communities have to decide how to use and control these technologies. Here are some of the political challenges:
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Rules and Regulations
Different countries have different rules about genetic engineering. For example, in the United States, genetically modified crops may not need strict approval if they don’t add new DNA. But in the European Union, GMO crops go through strict testing before they are allowed. These differences reflect how people in different places view the risks and benefits. -
Involving the Public
Many people believe decisions about these technologies shouldn’t just be made by scientists or politicians. Communities affected by these changes—like farmers, consumers, and workers—should also have a say. Listening to the public can build trust and make decisions fairer. -
Global Differences
Some countries use genetic engineering to solve problems like food shortages, while others avoid it because of safety or environmental concerns. These differences make it harder for countries to work together and create shared rules about these technologies.
Why It Matters for You
As future agriculture and technology professionals, you will likely use these tools or be affected by them. Understanding the ethical and political debates around genetic engineering and digital technology will help you make better decisions.
You can think about questions like:
- How can we use these technologies to help farmers and improve food production?
- How do we make sure these tools are safe for people, animals, and the environment?
- How do we ensure fairness so everyone benefits, not just a few?
Learning about these issues helps you become a responsible professional who can use science and technology to improve lives while respecting values like fairness, safety, and sustainability.
References
Alemayehu Tegegn, D. (2024). The role of science and technology in reconstructing human social history: Effect of technology change on society. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2356916
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