Invention & Innovation (MPU 3252) Chapter 4: Impacts of Invention & Innovation

Contents Invention & innovation affect society Invention & innovation affect humans Technology and the environment Using data to make informed decisions

Invention & Innovation Affect Society Every objects & device we use every day life and take for granted such as computer and telephone. Inventions have a strong impact on the way society are structured and functioned Many of technology’s effects on society are widely regarded as desirable

Invention & Innovation Affect Society Advances in medicine & public health have enabled people to live longer, healthier lives while eradicating disease that once prevented many children from living to adulthood Public water & sewer systems have provided water to remote areas and remove contaminants

Invention & Innovation Affect Society In transportation, the invention had a serious effect on man’s work habits & leisure It made the travelling between cities faster and cheaper

Invention & Innovation Affect Society In education, the invention of typography brought a revolution on how book & small journals were produced Books become cheaper & more available to the public, contributing to the rising literacy rate The inventions of teaching aid such as projectors made classroom presentation easier

Invention & Innovation Affect Society In communication, the internet invention have made it possible for people to communicate from any points of the globe The invention of electricity, light bulb & machines were the main factors of behind an abrupt rise in productivity from the 19 th century onwards

Invention & Innovation Affect Human

Invention & Innovation Affect Human (Positive) The invention provide more convenient life to human The progress of science and technology enhances directly the productivity of industry & agriculture, thus increasing the total value of national production & income. The living standard of the people in 1990 is double that of 1950

Invention & Innovation Affect Human (Negative) Inventions is dominating human life and controlling any comprehensive development of humanity With the technology aid, human become lazier Some people will lose the original treasure in human beings, like diligence and sociability

Invention & Innovation Affect Human (Negative) Communication disease – vector borne disease (e.g. malaria), sanitary hygiene disease, risk associated with handling of infectious waste Injury – risk of accidents from traffic, explosions, falls, heat stress, operation machinery, handling of physically hazardous wastes & resources, lost of hearing

Invention & Innovation Affect Human (Negative) Exposure to hazardous chemicals – inhalation (e.g. air pollution), dermal contact, ingestion of contaminated food and water (e.g. pesticide residue) of hazardous chemicals and of radioactive material

Technology & The Environment (Impacts on the local environment) The use of technology effects the environment in good and bad ways Waste must be appropriately recycled or disposed of to prevent unnecessary harm to the environment Technologies can be used to repair damage caused by natural disasters and to breakdown waste from the use of various products & system

Technology & The Environment (Impacts on the local environment) Habitat loss or alteration thru land clearance (e.g. as a consequence of raw material demand or development of a site) Physical disruption of habitat, for example the construction of pipelines that inhibit the migration of animals The chemical contamination of the environment thru the release of wastes that have direct toxic effect on flora & fauna

Technology & The Environment (Global environment impact) Enhances global warming (i.e. greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides) Deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, for example chlorofluorocarbons Some technology might also reduce the effectiveness of carbon sinks, such as thru the clearing of tree

Technology & The Environment (Non-renewable resources impact) Living resources – consumption or destruction of flora & fauna resources such as crops, forests (e.g. tropical rainforests) and fisheries Non living resources – mineral & chemical resources such as the fossil fuels used in energy generation or the materials used in production, and also the consumption or contamination of water resources

Technology & The Environment (Non-renewable resources impact) Land resources – the land required by the industrial site, wastes and by supporting infrastructures & services which may reduce its potential for later use

Using Data to Make Informed Decisions Data are the valuable assets The reliable data can help us address problems, improve public services, support business, increase productivity and much more

Using Data to Make Informed Decisions Decisions are more likely to be effective and efficient when they are based on data. The quality of decision-making depends most on the first step (defining the problem to be solved)

Using Data to Make Informed Decisions Data help us ask the right questions…they do not provide the answers Use data to: –Identify problems –Refine problems –Define the questions that lead to solutions

Conclusions Technology, by itself, is neither good nor bad, but decisions about the use of products and systems can result in desirable or undesirable consequences Economic, political & cultural issues are influenced by the development and use of technology Ethical considerations are important in the development, selection and use of technology Data can assist us to identify problems, refine problems & lead to solutions

References PRESIDENT'S SPEECH IN THE SPACE SUMMIT OF 90th SESSION OF THE INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS (2003), ml ml