In this blog post, we will examine how science and technology have changed our lives. Why is it that we do not feel happy despite all the conveniences?
All human beings pursue happiness and ultimately live for happiness. However, it is questionable whether humans always make choices that bring them happiness. The development of science and technology is a case in point. If we ask the older generation whether the current convenience brought about by the advancement of science and technology makes them happier than in the past, most would answer no. This is evident from the fact that despite South Korea’s economic growth over the past 20 years, accompanied by the development of science and technology, a tenfold increase in per capita income, and significant improvements in health through medical technology and new drug development, the country’s happiness index remains at 102nd in the world. Despite enjoying a more convenient and affluent life thanks to scientific and technological advancements, people are not necessarily happier. It is necessary to reflect on why scientific and technological advancements do not necessarily lead to human happiness. To determine the necessity of scientific and technological advancements, we must first understand what they are, compare their positive and negative aspects on human life, and further consider their political and social implications.
Science and technology simply refer to the application of science to obtain technology. Although “science” and “technology” are distinct concepts, they are often used interchangeably in modern times. Science refers to the natural laws discovered through human intellectual curiosity and exploration of nature, while technology is the practical application of these scientific discoveries. In other words, the advancement of science leads to new discoveries, and humans apply these discoveries to create technology.
Science and technology, which began in this way, have developed at an incredible speed in modern times, bringing positive changes to society, but also negative aspects. A representative example of the dual nature of science and technology is the development of transportation and communication. The development of transportation has eliminated distance barriers, facilitating communication between people and expanding the scope of human activities.
Human activities have expanded from a single village to a country, and further to the world and even space. The development of communication has been even more revolutionary than that of transportation. It has enabled the transmission of information at the speed of light, transcending human limitations. Now, we can talk to friends on the other side of the globe in a matter of seconds. This would have been impossible without the advancement of science and technology.
However, the development of transportation and communication also has negative aspects, and it is necessary to reconsider whether they are truly necessary. Although transportation has been developing for a long time, wars have become more intense due to its advancement. For example, Japan’s invasion of Korea would have been impossible without ships. In modern times, the development of transportation has led to negative consequences such as air pollution and traffic accidents.
A representative example of the development of communications is the Internet. The Internet is a “sea of information” where a vast amount of information flows, and in modern times, it is used in various fields to the extent that there is no place where it is not used. However, as technology has become more complex, cybercrime has also increased rapidly. Recently, there was an incident in which North Korean hackers hacked into the financial database of South Korea and paralyzed its operations. In addition, there have been cases where celebrities committed suicide due to malicious comments made by people who abused the anonymity of the Internet.
The development of transportation and communication technology has greatly influenced and enriched the lives of modern people, but at the same time, it has created new problems that did not exist before. The advancement of medicine can also be considered a result of science and technology. With the development of biotechnology, many diseases that were once incurable or difficult to treat can now be cured. This has greatly contributed to the extension of the average human lifespan, leading to the term “human evolution.”
The most significant issue in the medical field today is embryonic stem cells. These cells are pluripotent, meaning they have the ability to create human organs. While this technology could potentially cure incurable diseases, it also raises ethical issues related to human cloning and the value of human dignity. This issue has led to significant debate between the medical and religious communities.
As such, in modern society, the advancement of science and technology is not sufficient to simply improve human convenience; there are also complex issues that must be resolved. The advancement of science and technology requires resources. Looking around us, we can see that everything is made from natural resources. Since the Industrial Revolution, underground resources have been used on a large scale as energy sources, and forests have been severely damaged for development.
As a result, carbon dioxide emissions have increased, but the forests that mitigate these emissions have decreased. This has led to global warming caused by the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide, resulting in damage even in countries not directly involved in natural development. An example is the island of Tuvalu, which is at risk of being submerged by rising sea levels due to melting glaciers caused by global warming. This case clearly shows the negative impact of science and technology on humans. The problem is even more serious because it is not the developed countries that have had a major impact on global warming that are suffering, but rather the developing countries.
Science and technology have two sides. While they bring many benefits to humans, they also have significant side effects. So, should we accept all these side effects in order to achieve scientific and technological development? Are the benefits of science and technology worth embracing its negative aspects? Is there an inevitable reason why we must continue to change and develop despite these negative aspects? The development of science and technology cannot be viewed solely as a means of increasing human convenience; its political and social roles must also be considered. North Korea’s recent military provocations pose a threat to the international community, and this can also be seen as a side effect of the development of missiles and nuclear weapons made possible by advances in science and technology. Science and technology have had a negative impact on political and social issues that should be resolved through dialogue and agreement, leading to problems that threaten the very existence of humanity.
In addition, the advancement of science and technology has created a gap between the rich and the poor and caused social phenomena such as materialism. As a result, a trend of doing anything to make money has become widespread, and the incidence of various crimes has increased significantly.
South Korea has also undergone significant social changes. The advancement of science and technology has brought about social changes. Population concentration in the capital region has prevented balanced development between rural areas and the capital region, and the transition from large families to small nuclear families has led to the emergence of elderly care as a social issue. In particular, the rapid spread of nuclear families and the development of the internet in South Korea have led to the rapid spread of individualism, resulting in a decline in trust between people.
The development of the internet has also affected interpersonal relationships. Nowadays, it is natural to communicate more through cell phones and internet chat, and some people have difficulty communicating when they meet in person. Looking at these examples, one might think that the development of science and technology may hinder the promotion of human happiness. However, this does not mean that development should be hindered.
As the international community becomes increasingly competitive, and as the competitiveness of a country is determined by its level of science and technology, the advancement of science and technology is inevitable. In a competitive society, individuals strive to acquire skills that others do not have in order to increase their competitiveness, and countries strive to advance technology in order to gain an advantage over other countries.
Furthermore, the advancement of science and technology is a natural result of the process of humanity contemplating the direction it should take in the future. Humans have an inherent desire to constantly challenge and explore even when faced with limitations. No matter how happy people are, if they remain in the same state without development, some will feel bored, and some of those people will drive development. However, if development is carried out indiscriminately without considering side effects, problems will arise.
In this way, the development of science and technology is an instinctive and natural phenomenon, like human evolution, and cannot be stopped. However, what is crucial is ensuring that science and technology are not misused to cause environmental destruction or social and political issues. If we focus solely on development and overlook the various problems that arise as a result, science and technology can become a poison that hinders human happiness. However, if we look around us, seek compromise and consensus to solve problems, science and technology can become an asset that enriches human life.
