(Written in Outline Format) Computers: A Necessary Evil :: Technology

COMPUTERS AS A NECESSARY EVIL DEFINITION: First of all NECESSARY EVILS means that though a particular subject or issue that affects human life might contain some disadvantages to it that does not rule out the fact that its advantages have a much stronger basis for it to be utilized. INTRODUCTION: In this modern day and age, the Computer era has seemed to revolutionize the concept of Industrialization thus affecting all humans in one way or another. Without them modern man would have had to evolve at a much slower pace since with the aid of computers certain aspects of work can be completed with precise accuracy. To maximize the benefits and minimize the harms those making decisions about the implementation of computer systems must be sensitive to the problems as the advantages. â€Å"It has a colossal qualitative defect that springs directly from its quantitative virtues. It increases probability and it decreases possibility† -Lewis Mumford EFFECTS IMPACT OF COMPUTER ON PEOPLE 1) POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS a) Job opportunities in areas of programming, computer operations and information system management. b) Greater job satisfaction, this is done by tackling of interesting problems that seemed impossible until the dawn of the computer era. c) Businesses today rely on computer technology to assist them in almost every area of corporate life. Computers have invaded grocery stores, fast food restaurants, big businesses and small offices. They process data, store information, work out complex mathematical problems, track inventory, and even control temperature and lighting in office buildings. Reliance on the high-speed digital computer is so complete that the world of commerce would break up to a sudden stop if computers were removed. d) Use by Public Organizations, through avoiding waste and improving efficiency in government agencies, school districts and hospital units can also result in better services and a reduced tax burden for citizens. e) Home use, it’s used in entertainment and hobby purposes, for educational uses, for family financial applications and for countless other tasks. 2) Potential problems a) Threat of unemployment - The greater efficiency made possible by the computer usage can result in job obsolescence and displacement for some workers who are not in any way learned in the computer usage. b) Use of questionable data processing practices -Input data about individuals are routinely captured by many organizations, are entered into computer processed files. Inaccurate and incomplete data about people have been placed in files. c) WINNERS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AREA AFFECTED HOW AFFECTED Financial institutions More free-based consumer and business services Programming Industry Proliferation of new packaged programs Larger Universities Programmed education opportunities Insurance Industry Lower life/ health/ property claims cost