Download The Impact of Communication Technology

The Impact of
Communication
Technology
CMT 11
Fundamentals
Categories of Impact

Six categories that relate to
communication technology:
– Political
– Social
– Economic
– Environmental
– Cultural
– Ethical
Political Impact
Mass Media



Politicians have “media advisors” to make
them look and sound good in the media.
The media can influence the political process.
Popularity of candidates go up and down
depending on their media image.
Political Impact…
Satellite Communication



Allow governments around the world to
communicate with each other.
Countries can use satellites to spy on other
countries.
Mapping satellites photograph areas being
watched for defense purposes.

Social Impact

How people interact together is
influenced by communication
technology
Social Impact –
Government Tracking

Government computers keep track of us by
our social insurance number and is used in
connection with drivers licenses, bank
accounts, income taxes, credit checks, and
more.
Social Impact –
Education and Training


Computers entered classrooms in the
1980’s.
Internet and interactive video help
teachers to provide other ways of
learning.
Social Impact – Information
Storage and Retrieval





Now more then ever we are storing
information in databases (digital storage) and
websites.
Instantly locate the information easily.
Don’t even have to leave home!
We can shop online, spend money without
leaving the home.
Cons - information overload, high amounts
of debt among consumers.
Social Impact


How does communication technology
impact how we SOCIALIZE?
Brainstorm with your neighbor
Economic Impact

Businesses rely heavily technology for success
– Advertising of services and products
– Communication with other businesses, clients, etc.
– Manufacturing of goods and services.

With global communication comes a global
economy.
– Things that happen this morning in Tokyo can affect
business in New York City, thousands of miles away,
a few hours later.
Environmental Impact

Communication tends to be “clean”
technology.
– Compared to “smokestack” industries like
steel production, communication
industries are easier on our environment.
Environmental Impact Downside


Computers and photocopiers generate
more paper copies than ever before.
We harvest tress and use energy to
produce paper = environmental impact!
Cultural Impact




Many people believe TV has made us a
less literate society
School test scores have declined.
Could that be because we read less
and watch television more?
What about slang? LOL, WTF, OMG?
Cultural Impact - Violence



What about our attitude toward
violence?
Have they changed because of
television?
When we constantly see violent
movies and violent stories on the
evening news, does it desensitize us
toward violence?
Ethical Issues

Ethical concerns have to do with
matters of right and wrong.
– Things that are unethical may not
necessarily be against the law, however,
most people agree that they are wrong.

With new developments in
communication come ethical problems.
Digital Editing

Digital files can be changed very easily
through digital editing.
– Example - digital editing of models.

It can and is also be used for
questionable purposes.
Digital Editing Continued

Digital sound editing enables an audio technician
to alter the voices and sounds.

They can make anyone sound good singing. Is
this right?
Computer Viruses



In the late 1980’s, computer viruses
became a major data security issue
Now spyware is a major security issue
Viruses and Spyware
Cause your computers to run slow
 Monitor your actions on the computer
 Track what sites you visited
 Copy and destroy files
