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A lot of people probably don't even realise
the extent to which computers are used in their lives, whether
it's working life or everyday activities. These technological
discoveries have enabled humans to automatize a lot of repetitive, extremely
complicated or dangerous tasks through the power of electronics.
Even such obvious things as washing machines, microwaves, TV
remote controls, or traffic lights are controlled by some sort
of computers.
Arguing whether this is a good or a bad thing depends on
one's personal attitude towards machines. Surely life would be
much more difficult without them. Just imagine bank computers
crashing and thus disabling all cash dispensing machines, or
faulty traffic lights bringing the traffic to a standstill or
even causing disastrous collisions. However, no matter what the
problems and difficulties caused by lack of computers, life
would be possible, as people lived prosperously long before
evolving into a computerised civilisation.
As the technology
advances, human beings are becoming more and more addicted to
it, and thus more lazy in their existence. Who can now remember
the times when one had to get up from the couch to turn the TV
volume up ? Who can even remember times when television didn't
exist ? If the computers, and thus all computer-dependant
everyday items were to cease, people would find it very
difficult to readjust, but it wouldn't be impossible. One would
only have to resign from the pleasures and advantages of
machine-aided life. After all, computers have been an integral
part of today's society for about 50 years, and humans have
found it possible to live without them for over 5000 years.
There are fears that artificial intelligence grows at such
a high rate that soon computers will be able to think for
themselves and take over the world. However, others argue that
it may well be that in 50 years' time nobody will even remember
computers. I personally believe that as long we, as human beings
are still in control over computers, which are just stupid
machines that follow our instructions, then there's nothing to
worry about yet.
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