Technology is best when its bring people together

TOPIC - "Technology is best when it brings people together". One day, Michael Faraday, out of frustration threw magnet which he was using for experiment, attracted current for a moment and this incident led to the origin of theory of electromagnetic conduction which stands as the basis of many technological advancement in the future. Primary example of this advancement is the working of railways, which has become the mass mobilizer in this era of interconnectedness. This shows how a technological development can bring people together even though the objective may have been different. In this essay, we will delve into the fact that how technology has brought people together, promoted collaboration, trade.

Along with this we will also study how technology does not always lead to collaboration but generate conflict, destruction and evolution of fresh social evils. Global advancement in the shipping and navigational technology has made shipping the backbone of Global trade which is evident from the fact that India's 95% trade by volume is dependent on shipping. Shipping did not only brought people together but it promoted resource transfer, technology transfer leading to overall development of the world. Similarly, the invention of airplanes by Wright brother led to the quick connectivity all over the world reducing travelling from days and months to hours or minutes as today an individual from new delhi can travel to london in less than 24 hours closing the time barrier in people connectivity. Although physical connectivity brings people together but this is not the only medium as sharing of thoughts, spare time to communicate are also elements of togetherness. Evolution of radio, telegraph in the 19th century not only brought the administrators together but it became the tool of mass mobilization in the freedom struggle of India through propagating ideas of freedom, highlighting the real picture of british rule to the people. Use of underground radio by Usha Mehta to disseminate the information, use of printing press by Tilak to inculcate the idea of Swaraj and use of publication by Raja Ram Mohan Roy to promote social justice brought people together in multiple ways and this became bedrock of Indian freedom and social revolution. Apart from its social role, technology has also led to collaboration among the nation in order to collaborative efforts for sustainable development. Technological collaboration between Russia and India through joint development of Mig-29, Brahmos missile has deepened the relations between these two countries. Technological advancement and global interconnectedness has also brought countries together despite past of colonial atrocities as reflected in India-UK relation, India-France relations where cooperation in technology and trade has bridge the gap left by colonial era.

In contemporary world, technological advancement in the area of digital technology, advent of social media has bridged the distance and time gap like never before. Through social media, digital technology and communication technology families have once again got connected despite being physically distant. Evolution of social media has led to the collaboration based on ideology, interests and commonalities. It has made sharing of thoughts easier, faster bringing people together and deliberate on social issues. Evolution of technology has led to goods & service delivery revolution which has brought down rural-urban divide as today amazon delivers goods to very remote locations as well and digital education has led to availability of education from home preventing educational migration. Technologies such as email, cloud computing, online meeting enablers allowed new concepts such as work from home leading to increasing familial togetherness. Similarly, evolution of white goods such as washing machines, fridge, utensils washers etc have led to the efficient use of time and made availability of time for bonding among family members society. Togetherness does not only mean physical and mental togetherness but it also mean economic togetherness i.e. upliftment of marginalised and reducing inequalities. IT revolution in India in 1980s created large scale employment opportunities leading to creation of one of the biggest middle class in the world. This shows how technology can be a tool to fill economic gaps in the world. Although technology has made ways to bring people together but it has also led to divisiveness, exclusion, polarisation and conflicts in the world. One one hand discovery of nuclear weapon has led to avoidance of major global conflict for more than 80 years, on another hand it has led to power accumulation in the hands of few due to global restrictions on development of nuclear weapon. It is evident from the historical account of sanctions imposed by western countries on India in the backdrop of nuclear weapon testing. It shows the disbalance and discriminatory practices in the world where collaboration & cooperation does not depend on the respect to sovereignty but in alignment with ideas of the powerful. Technological advancement in the defence industry and expansion of weapon manufacturing capabilities, alongside defence capabilities may also led to the rise of terrorism in the world which is fuelled by the weapons smuggling. ISIS being one of the biggest example which was fuelled by western countries weapons. Digital Media may led to various benefits of collaboration but it may also led to the various social evils such as cyber bullying, cyber arrests, polarization due to speedy dissemination of information, rise of fake news. Similarly, on individual level social media may led to loneliness, mental health challenges, addiction, objectification of women and all of these in combination has led to decline in moral compass of the society. Technological advancement has also led to reinforcement of caste identity, spread of extremist propaganda and political polarization among the society due to creation of eco-chambers through algorithmic control of information. It has led to the singular viewpoint dissemination turning into reasons of conflict. As it can be seen in the case of delhi riots 2020 where misinformation was one of the biggest driver of clashes.

Along with promoting global collaboration among the countries through technology, it has become reason of geopolitical conflicts. China's restriction on supply of processed critical & rare earth mineral chips etc has led to disruption in global supply chain. USA, protectionist policies has created ripples in the global order which was earlier based on rules and collaboration. Dual Control of digital technology and AI capabilities in the hands of China and USA has led to creation of two separate power groups instead of global order based on cooperation which mandates small countries to take sides ultimately leading to loss of strategic autonomy. Technology in itself is not divisive but its unregulated, unethical and selfish use by the people, state, countries has created the challenges associated with evolution of technology. Radio was also used by Usha Mehta to disseminate information in quit India movement and the same radio and telegraph was used by britishers to mobilise police and control the expression of ideas through torture. On one hand the ships are backbone of global trade connecting worlds economically and on another hand similar ship was used by terrorists in 2008 to enter mumbai and carried out one of the deadliest attack on the city so it can be said that technology in itself is not a boon to humanity but its the intent and morality of the hands that uses that technology decides the outcome. True potential of technology can only be realised if its use is regulated, through law and ethical values and targeted towards bringing world together.