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The Progression Of Technology In The Workplace

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Technology has contributed to many of the largest changes in recent history. One field impacted by the revolutionary power of technology is work. The workplace continues to incorporate technology at an exponential rate that has in no doubt contributed to an increase in both the quantity and quality of goods and services available. The benefits of technology are widely known; however, the negative implications of technology in the workforce are a little more unfamiliar. The progression of technology in the workplace is harmful to society because of its degenerative effects on the working class. The widespread use of technology foremost threatens the stability of work and the character of the common worker.
One of the downfalls of technology …show more content…

Unfortunately, most of the extra leisure is not spent doing productive things that benefit the welfare of the community. A 2015 survey on how Americans spend their leisure time on an average day found that a majority of Americans spend their time watching TV or playing games on a computer. The average American spent roughly two hours and 47 minutes alone watching TV (American Time Use Survey). The numbers are even higher for those who are unemployed. Without work taking up a significant portion of daily time, the new time available will become dedicated to entertainment. This would be not such a bad thing if the available time was used to do good, but evidence suggests that this time will only be wasted in unproductive ways that are harmful to societal norms. According to writers Andrew Van Dam and Eric Morath from The Wall Street Journal, “Individuals who are out of the labor force, either because they’re discouraged from finding a job or are in poor health, are sleeping more and reducing the overall time Americans work” (Morath and Van Dam). Not only are computer gaming and watching TV consuming large amounts of leisure time, but sleeping as well draws away many hours that could have been used to work towards something productive. Technology’s impact on work has contributed to this problem by increasing the number of unemployed workers who receive hours of extra time …show more content…

As the capabilities of computer technology continue to multiply while the price declines, “a great many of life’s necessities and luxurious will become ever cheaper” (Thompson). People will enjoy more luxurious lifestyles because the productivity which technology inspires will lower the cost of goods. More goods and services will enter the market when advanced computer technology grows more available for companies to use. Nixon states, “When you have the latest technology to help you do your job, it means you can do more with the same effort. That's why we say investment in modern equipment will increase productivity” (Nixon). The investment of technology is important to the workforce because more work can be done with the same effort used before. Productivity is a driving force in the economy and with technology increasing the boundaries of productivity, the wealth of society will increase as well. Even in an extreme future where work is solely occupied by computer technology, a new artisanal economy geared around self-expression and pleasure will become a possibility (Thompson). The previous burden of labor that consumed an individual’s time will cease to exist. Society will be focused around people expressing their ideas and enjoying leisure time. The technology based workforce will allow people to focus exclusively on caring for their families and performing

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