Read : https://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm/43024-donation-of-technological-goods-and-its-impact-on-a-society/fulltext (Links to an external site.)

Read the following introduction and answer the questions. Then reply to one of your classmates’ answers with value-added replies (e.g., not just “I agree”):

Hi all, my name is Cameron Claiborne and this week I will be leading the discussion on the impact of IT on society. In Carlos Brewer’s blog post linked above, he talks about the positive impacts IT has had on society. His main area of focus is the technological donations given to many non-profits and individuals all around the world. He talks about the donation of technology labs from highly recognized universities to their counterparts in the “third world” countries, and how these donations allow students from these universities to have access to state-of-the-art technologies since their cost remains out of their sight. He considers these technological donations extremely important as per his blog post “they affect the educational background of those potential engineers, scientists, doctors and teachers, who at the very end will change the life conditions of surrounding society.” His thinking is that trained engineers with state-of-the-art knowledge will be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently, and ultimately be able to solve common problems in their societies by their own without having to wait for external help or additional donations. Give the linked blog post above a read and then please answer my initial set of discussion questions to get the discussion started.

Questions:

1. Do you think IT has had a positive or negative impact on society? What do you think is the most important thing IT has brought to society, besides technological donations?

2. What do you think society can do to keep IT having a positive impact on society, and not fall in the negative direction?

3. Do you agree with Carlos Brewer when he says that “To really use all the power and benefits of technological donations, they must be addressed with a previous evaluation of needs and potential uses, do not forget that a solar oven can be used as a political weapon against poor people.”

4. Do you think we need to be careful with what technology we give certain countries/people, even if it is initially intended for a good use?

Then reply to one of your classmates’ answers with value-added replies (e.g., not just “I agree”):

Classmate Yingjie:

1. Do you think IT has had a positive or negative impact on society? What do you think is the most important thing IT has brought to society, besides technological donations?

Of course, IT has a positive impact on society, but I would say a negative impact is less than a positive impact. IT opens a huge amount of job market, they provide thousands of jobs for computer science students each year. IT pulls everyone close, you can share your story online, someone who is on the other side of the world can see your story.

2: . What do you think society can do to keep IT having a positive impact on society, and not fall in the negative direction?

Society can use IT technology to spread positive energy by sharing a good story. like Facebook and Instagram share videos of saving animals.

3: Do you agree with Carlos Brewer when he says that “To really use all the power and benefits of technological donations, they must be addressed with a previous evaluation of needs and potential uses, do not forget that a solar oven can be used as a political weapon against poor people.”

I agree with him. for example, as a human, if you wanna help other people, you need to know what he needs. understanding the situation, then you can help them by solving their problems. however, the politician needs a weapon to beat the opponent, from their views, it is the right thing to do, the technology helped them to achieve the goal. everything is relative to each other. I have no comment on this.

4: Do you think we need to be careful with what technology we give certain countries/people, even if it is initially intended for a good use?

yes, this is a tough question to answer. for me, I would do that, why not? as long as this technology can help others, I will do that.