Unveiling Technology's Duality: Perspectives on Advancements by Postman, Toyama, and Craig

Emerging trends in technology are developed to help curb issues that have been in existence and those that are arising. The trends are, therefore, regarded as a solution as they make work easier. Technology is a double edge-sword, and, therefore, shows a positive and negative result when used. Postman, Toyama and Craig have responded to the topic regarding technology by writing essays on the effects associated with the new changes brought about by technology. Across the three texts, we find a close relation in the insight put across by Postman, Toyama, and Craig in their essays. By synthesizing the books, we get a broader perspective and views of the intended message in the three texts. Postman writes about five ideas related to technology, offers some insight and engages the reader by rhetorical questions. He does not bring out the advantages and disadvantages of the new trends in technologies.

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A reader can, therefore, relate Postman’s ideas to Kentaro Toyama’s essay and S. Craig Watkin’s article on issues discussed in these essays about technology. In Postman’s first idea, he describes the changes in technology as a sign of trade whereby an advantage technology brings is accompanied by a disadvantage. An example of the concept is whereby the invention of automobiles helps in transportation and time saving, and so on. On the other hand, it is a significant factor contributing to the pollution of the environment. The second idea of Postman, he brings to light the uneven distribution of the advantages and disadvantages associated with technology (28). A benefit is felt to those who get job opportunities such as producers, presenters and directors. At the same time, the existence of the same television may deprive teachers a chance since some channels have introduced classes which are aired on televisions.

In addition to that, Postman emphasizes how technology has changed how humans behave, think, view, situations and so on and quotes Marshall McLuhan when he states, ‘the medium is the message’ which implies that to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. In Postman’s fourth idea, he describes technology as ecological as it does not change something but everything. One can explain the concept of environmental effect by adding a drop of red dye to clear water. The spread as compared to technology is therefore vast and reaches a wide variety of people within a short time. Lastly, Postman in his last idea on technology to be mythic and expects the society to accept it as it is. The existence of the alphabet, specific broadcast time and so on are results of technology and therefore received as they are. A change in time or alphabet order would thus raise a question and confuse the society.

The five ideas of Postman give life and existence to the texts written by Craig and Toyama. Toyama, on the other hand, approaches technology by highlighting the does and don’ts and their impacts. Regarding how technology can solve poverty, he takes the idea of building infrastructure such as underground water pipes to provide fresh water to the poor instead of handing them laptops as laptops could not have solved poverty levels. Toyama is realistic in his works yet pessimistic with his ideas. He supports the concept of technology used since the world is already globalized and assures that a population that does not have access to technology is not going to have progressed any time soon. He links education to technology but does not move deeper to provide avenues to achieve the idea.

Toyama also states that “even if somebody could counter differential access to technology through universally distributed technology, differential capacity — in terms of education, social skills, or social connections — remains.” He states that no matter how technology is designed, it cannot change human intentions and capacity as it is not a substitute. An example is the failed venture of telecenters and ICT4D in Asia and sub-Saharan areas since technology cannot replace the desires of the locals. Their financial, political, and literacy levels, therefore, determine what they can extract from the internet hence making the changes of technology value minimal. Access to games, adult content and so on also consumes time, which could be used to engage in learning activities. His text summarizes how technology tends to amplify inequalities, how technology cannot substitute missing institutional capacities and how technology cannot fix specific problems; instead, it can be used to strengthen already operational efforts.

Lastly, Craig writes on technology and champions for a different view of the mobile phone, and the much one can achieve. His ideas relate to that of Postman and Toyama as he sees the phone as an avenue to expand literacy levels and widen minds (173). He sees a lesser percentage doing so and states, “Like fast food, Fast entertainment is easy to get, all around us, and typically cheap, but not always good for you ’ (173). Craig also sees inequality in terms of access to technology in terms of the poor and working class. The result of the gadgets acquired is also vital to Craig as he says it is the benefit of the phone, which is essential. An individual who engages in games, music and watching adult content is different from that one that acquires a phone and uses it for learning purposes. The curve created creates a shift in terms of education in the USA between the poor and rich.

Through the three texts, there is a similarity in terms of advantages. Postman describes technology as ecological. It is advantageous as it spreads faster. A good example is in the education sector, whereby one can access information quickly. The automobile industry is also beneficial has it has provided ease of access. Toyama also acknowledges the countering unequal access to technology by universal distribution. The ticket will help with development as he says a society without the internet is undoubtedly not progressing any time soon. Lastly, Craig sees the importance of using technology, depending on how one can access it. The fruits are focused on curbing illiteracy levels and improving innovative ideas of significance within society.

The three texts have provided insight into various positions such as the need to distribute laptops universally, the intent of the technology being introduced, and data consumed, and so on. A greater focus is, therefore, not done on the provision of solutions related to the problems written. A gap is consequently created between the positions they have taken since by observing the various failures Postman, Craig, and Toyama would have offered solutions which would be open to debates and some even adopted.