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xaero · 10-01-2002, 10:41 AM

Let me know your comments [B)] on this........

"Both the development of technological tools and the uses to which humanity has put them have created modern civilizations in which loneliness is ever increasing."

Of late, the innovations on the scientific, technological and communicational fronts, have resulted in ideas and tools that a man fifty years ago could not possibly comprehend. However the surge of technological concepts and gadgets have overwhelmed man with so much power and privileges that a meaningful and healthy use of these principles has not been achievable.

The most conspicuous development of man in terms of technology has been in the field of weaponry and warfare. These potential tools and ideas, though have constructive applications, have rarely been put to such uses. Nuclear weapons, Ballistic missiles and hand held ammunitions have been responsible for the creation of rifts among the major nations of the world. The Cold War between the United States of America and the Russian republic was the proof of the man's greed for power and domination in the world, caring less for human values and peace. The situation during the Cold War period hung precariously close to an outbreak of a major war, threatening to wipe out the human race. On recent terms, the insolence and un co-operative attitude expressed by the Iraq government to the United Nations is an example of how technological power corrupts man and isolate him from the rest of the world.

On the industrial and ecomomy sectors, the technology has no less been any beneficial for the establishment of human interaction and co operation. The coming up newer ideas on the technological arena like computer sciences and information sciences have exacerbated the economic diversities of the world. While the affluent software technicians wallow in their high paying jobs, the lesser paid sections continue to endure travail in their low rewarding work. Consequently, with lesser interaction between them, the people tend to only move further from each other.

The scientfic advancements have greatly influenced the individual lifestyles and attitudes of the current generation. Today's man has access to all luxuries of life without being dependent of anybody. Technology aims at making life as pleasant as possible. Answers to questions that bogged down our ancestors for several have been found. These factors have resulted in a notion of complacency and omnipotence in man for his work and disregard to everything else. Man now challenges culture, faith and human values. Religion has been suffering in the current age. The psychological consequences of the changes are evident. Suicide rates and mental depression cases are increasing throughout the world. So are divorce rates and child abuses. As a result mutual trust and a feeling of security that our progenitors once enjoyed is no longer alive.

Man must realize the catastrophy and havoc caused by himself, using science and technology as the tools. Although science has been put to misuse, proper harvesting of these technological advancements can holistically improve the human community, if guided in a mature manner. Nuclear power, used for electric-power generation, instead of maiming people, can work wonders for sufficing man's needs and with little usage of natural resources. Unless man terminates the indiscriminate use of technological tools and ideas, humanity is headed to a bleak future.

kaushik_r · 10-01-2002, 06:03 PM

Hello xaero,

I read your essay after my own attempt.In para 2, you have gone into "loneliness" as it applies to the isolation of a country from the world.I had a comletely different interpretation of the topic(more like your para 3).Tell me if you think this approach makes sense.
(As before, I needed more than 45 mins to do this

- do you manage to complete all your essays within the time limit?)

"Both the development of technological tools and the uses to which humanity has put them have created modern civilizations in which loneliness is ever increasing."

The author's statement raises the following related questions.Is loneliness increasing in modern civilization?If so, does either the development of technology or the manner of use (or both) contribute to this loneliness?
To analyse the rather complex and debatable first question, one must consider the various socio-economic classes of people and their different needs for communication.For example, it is likely that a middle-class government employee has significantly lesser contacts on a daily basis than a city businessman who in turn, may have less contacts than the CEO of a top company.In addition, the personal and psychological makeup of a person is an important factor to be considered.A normally taciturn person is probably not specially loquacious when on the telephone and vice versa.
However, technology introduces some other parameters including changes in physical distance of separation.Unquestionably, technology has brought closer people who were geographically far apart.The ubiquitous telephone has enabled real-time communication around the globe where earlier only letters were possible, which took days, even weeks to be delivered.
But it is also certain that a degree of physical detachment has come to being acceptable, even normal.Parents today does not miss their sons/daughters so much when they go off to college because they can communicate regularly, by a variety of means provided by technology including e-mail, chatting and the occasional telephone call.On a personal note, when my sister spent four years at college in a different city, the physical distance was almost not felt at all because of the regular e-mails exchanged.
The truth, therefore seems to lie somewhere in between - each type of person seems to have been affected to a different degree by technology with respect to his/her detachment from others.
To answer the second question, we must keep in mind that change is brought in not by virtue of the mere existence of an alternative, but rather by people's acceptance and indeed, their interpretation of that alternative.Technology may be developed with one purpose in mind and may end up being viewed in a completely different perspective by the users.For example, when electronic mail was developed, it was intended only as a means of remote communication, not as a substitute for telephones, or to save paper, or to enable companies to communicate effectively with their employees.Blaming e-mail for increasing loneliness would be tantamount to ascribing to it, the rise of terrorism; because of the ease with which the terrorists can now communicate with each other for nefarious purposes.Clearly, only the use of technology is culpable, if at all.
To conclude, it may not be possible to determine with complete confidence whether citizens of the "global village" are increasingly lonely or not, but the fact remains that their manner of use of technology contributes to this feeling rather than technology itself.

Kaushik

p.s.
I seem to get all my best ideas after 35-40 mins . Perplexing...?

xaero · 10-02-2002, 01:14 AM

Hi Kaushik,

Well done there. Your essay deals with ideas, somewhat similar to the 6-scored essay in the powerprep software for this topic

.

However, your third para - 'However, technology introduces some other.....' is, I feel, not too connected with the rest of your passage. Remove it and you'll be well off. [^]

In my essay, I actually thought of considering loneliness at 3 levels-

International levels, Business front, individual aspects.

As for the timing, this was an actual Computer Adaptive Test in the Pprep software. So no compromises. I came up with my story in about 40 minutes. And since you've written that you have your GRE in another 2 days, its imperative that you practice the Powerprep tests (in case you havent) for the AWA.

Good luck for the GRE and dont forget to put up your experiences here, soon after you finish your test

. I sure the rest of us would be eager to get feedback from you front-liners of the NEW GRE.

kaushik_r · 10-02-2002, 06:55 AM

Hi xaero,
Thanks for the encouragement.

I needed that , specially as I have just another 48 hours to go..:o
I'll take your advice on the timing aspect.
Keep you posted..
Kaushik

nitika_d · 10-02-2002, 09:00 AM

hi xaero and kaushik!
you bothhave written good essays.
Xaero ur 2nd para is not co

hi xaero and kaushik!
youve written good essays.
but xaero ur 3rd para is a bit far fetched.difference in salaries does ensure disparity but develop the point a bit more. then state the effect.
kaushik
your problem is same as mine.time trouble.dont get tense thinking about it and you will get the ideas in no time.BEST OF LUCK.

xaero · 10-02-2002, 10:23 AM

Hi Nitika,

Hey, Whats the big idea? - some half-eaten writing, followed by a HUGE gap and a message again? :-)

Anyway, I just wanted to know how I could've improved my 3rd para? Isnt it sufficiently expressive? I intend to discuss the vast differences in salaries between the software professionals and other jobbers, causing a feeling of lowness among the latter and uppishness and pomposity among the former, causing rifts in society.

Please comment.

manojbhave · 10-07-2002, 08:16 AM

Hello Xaero and Kaushik

Your responses were very incisive...I also have written the powerprep 2 essay...But I feel that it shadows in comparison..

Anyways here it is...

Several questions arise when contemplating on the given issue.While it is true that technological tools have helped humanity to become modern and also that human interaction in the modern society has decreased,is it correct to attribute this loneliness to the development of modern technological tools?
I don't think so.In fact, technological tools have always provided a chance for improvement of communications amongst people.The following paragraphs intend to make my stance more clear.

Consider the changes that have marked the living patterns of the modern society.In the early days, the concept of joint family was in vogue.Many generations of people used to live under one single roof.But as the society evolved,the trend shifted towards have nuclear families,i.e,just the parents and their children.Children moved out at an early age from the house.This led to a kind of isolation between the members of a single family.This became a root cause of loneliness.The important point to note here is that this consequence was a result of a shift in a social pattern and no technological tool was directly responsible for it.Some may argue that important scientific events like the industrialization and increasing non-dependence on agriculture led to the spawning of nuclear families.But there are enough examples of families having a a non-agricultural occupation that still live under the joint-family system.

On the other hand,consider what effect the development of a tool like telephone had.People could communicate with each other very effectively and quickly. Distance no longer acted as a barrier. This was a boon for families in which one of the member had to be away from it for some reason.He could keep in touch with all the members in his family and combat loneliness.

One controversial issue is regarding that of television.While some people think that it has allowed people to keep themselves entertained and has reduced the feeling of loneliness,some feel that the advent of television has reduced the communication that is exchanged between members of a family and hence led to emotional isolation between family members.Now,this is dependant on how people use the television.If only limited amount is alloted for viewin television and some time is allotted for the family,then television viewing has a positive effect.But if it viewed continuously without any other concerns, then it may have a detrimental effect.In short, it is the way in which it is used that determines its effect on loneliness.

In conclusion, I hope that the point which I want to make is clear.Barring controversial examples like that of television, technological tools in general have improved the scope for communication thus reducing the ways in which loneliness can occur.The reason for increasing loneliness in the modern society is related with the social trends in the society and not with the technological advancements.

That's it...
Try to reply ASAP as I have me GRE, believe me, tomorrow...
thanx

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10-01-2002, 10:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
xaero Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: India Posts: 227	Let me know your comments [B)] on this........ "Both the development of technological tools and the uses to which humanity has put them have created modern civilizations in which loneliness is ever increasing." Of late, the innovations on the scientific, technological and communicational fronts, have resulted in ideas and tools that a man fifty years ago could not possibly comprehend. However the surge of technological concepts and gadgets have overwhelmed man with so much power and privileges that a meaningful and healthy use of these principles has not been achievable. The most conspicuous development of man in terms of technology has been in the field of weaponry and warfare. These potential tools and ideas, though have constructive applications, have rarely been put to such uses. Nuclear weapons, Ballistic missiles and hand held ammunitions have been responsible for the creation of rifts among the major nations of the world. The Cold War between the United States of America and the Russian republic was the proof of the man's greed for power and domination in the world, caring less for human values and peace. The situation during the Cold War period hung precariously close to an outbreak of a major war, threatening to wipe out the human race. On recent terms, the insolence and un co-operative attitude expressed by the Iraq government to the United Nations is an example of how technological power corrupts man and isolate him from the rest of the world. On the industrial and ecomomy sectors, the technology has no less been any beneficial for the establishment of human interaction and co operation. The coming up newer ideas on the technological arena like computer sciences and information sciences have exacerbated the economic diversities of the world. While the affluent software technicians wallow in their high paying jobs, the lesser paid sections continue to endure travail in their low rewarding work. Consequently, with lesser interaction between them, the people tend to only move further from each other. The scientfic advancements have greatly influenced the individual lifestyles and attitudes of the current generation. Today's man has access to all luxuries of life without being dependent of anybody. Technology aims at making life as pleasant as possible. Answers to questions that bogged down our ancestors for several have been found. These factors have resulted in a notion of complacency and omnipotence in man for his work and disregard to everything else. Man now challenges culture, faith and human values. Religion has been suffering in the current age. The psychological consequences of the changes are evident. Suicide rates and mental depression cases are increasing throughout the world. So are divorce rates and child abuses. As a result mutual trust and a feeling of security that our progenitors once enjoyed is no longer alive. Man must realize the catastrophy and havoc caused by himself, using science and technology as the tools. Although science has been put to misuse, proper harvesting of these technological advancements can holistically improve the human community, if guided in a mature manner. Nuclear power, used for electric-power generation, instead of maiming people, can work wonders for sufficing man's needs and with little usage of natural resources. Unless man terminates the indiscriminate use of technological tools and ideas, humanity is headed to a bleak future.

10-01-2002, 06:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
kaushik_r Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: India Posts: 27	Hello xaero, I read your essay after my own attempt.In para 2, you have gone into "loneliness" as it applies to the isolation of a country from the world.I had a comletely different interpretation of the topic(more like your para 3).Tell me if you think this approach makes sense. (As before, I needed more than 45 mins to do this - do you manage to complete all your essays within the time limit?) "Both the development of technological tools and the uses to which humanity has put them have created modern civilizations in which loneliness is ever increasing." The author's statement raises the following related questions.Is loneliness increasing in modern civilization?If so, does either the development of technology or the manner of use (or both) contribute to this loneliness? To analyse the rather complex and debatable first question, one must consider the various socio-economic classes of people and their different needs for communication.For example, it is likely that a middle-class government employee has significantly lesser contacts on a daily basis than a city businessman who in turn, may have less contacts than the CEO of a top company.In addition, the personal and psychological makeup of a person is an important factor to be considered.A normally taciturn person is probably not specially loquacious when on the telephone and vice versa. However, technology introduces some other parameters including changes in physical distance of separation.Unquestionably, technology has brought closer people who were geographically far apart.The ubiquitous telephone has enabled real-time communication around the globe where earlier only letters were possible, which took days, even weeks to be delivered. But it is also certain that a degree of physical detachment has come to being acceptable, even normal.Parents today does not miss their sons/daughters so much when they go off to college because they can communicate regularly, by a variety of means provided by technology including e-mail, chatting and the occasional telephone call.On a personal note, when my sister spent four years at college in a different city, the physical distance was almost not felt at all because of the regular e-mails exchanged. The truth, therefore seems to lie somewhere in between - each type of person seems to have been affected to a different degree by technology with respect to his/her detachment from others. To answer the second question, we must keep in mind that change is brought in not by virtue of the mere existence of an alternative, but rather by people's acceptance and indeed, their interpretation of that alternative.Technology may be developed with one purpose in mind and may end up being viewed in a completely different perspective by the users.For example, when electronic mail was developed, it was intended only as a means of remote communication, not as a substitute for telephones, or to save paper, or to enable companies to communicate effectively with their employees.Blaming e-mail for increasing loneliness would be tantamount to ascribing to it, the rise of terrorism; because of the ease with which the terrorists can now communicate with each other for nefarious purposes.Clearly, only the use of technology is culpable, if at all. To conclude, it may not be possible to determine with complete confidence whether citizens of the "global village" are increasingly lonely or not, but the fact remains that their manner of use of technology contributes to this feeling rather than technology itself. Kaushik p.s. I seem to get all my best ideas after 35-40 mins . Perplexing...?

10-02-2002, 01:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
xaero Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: India Posts: 227	Hi Kaushik, Well done there. Your essay deals with ideas, somewhat similar to the 6-scored essay in the powerprep software for this topic . However, your third para - 'However, technology introduces some other.....' is, I feel, not too connected with the rest of your passage. Remove it and you'll be well off. [^] In my essay, I actually thought of considering loneliness at 3 levels- International levels, Business front, individual aspects. As for the timing, this was an actual Computer Adaptive Test in the Pprep software. So no compromises. I came up with my story in about 40 minutes. And since you've written that you have your GRE in another 2 days, its imperative that you practice the Powerprep tests (in case you havent) for the AWA. Good luck for the GRE and dont forget to put up your experiences here, soon after you finish your test . I sure the rest of us would be eager to get feedback from you front-liners of the NEW GRE.

10-02-2002, 06:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
kaushik_r Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: India Posts: 27	Hi xaero, Thanks for the encouragement. I needed that , specially as I have just another 48 hours to go..:o I'll take your advice on the timing aspect. Keep you posted.. Kaushik

10-02-2002, 09:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
nitika_d Eager! Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 37	hi xaero and kaushik! you bothhave written good essays. Xaero ur 2nd para is not co hi xaero and kaushik! youve written good essays. but xaero ur 3rd para is a bit far fetched.difference in salaries does ensure disparity but develop the point a bit more. then state the effect. kaushik your problem is same as mine.time trouble.dont get tense thinking about it and you will get the ideas in no time.BEST OF LUCK.

10-02-2002, 10:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
xaero Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: India Posts: 227	Hi Nitika, Hey, Whats the big idea? - some half-eaten writing, followed by a HUGE gap and a message again? :-) Anyway, I just wanted to know how I could've improved my 3rd para? Isnt it sufficiently expressive? I intend to discuss the vast differences in salaries between the software professionals and other jobbers, causing a feeling of lowness among the latter and uppishness and pomposity among the former, causing rifts in society. Please comment.

10-07-2002, 08:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
manojbhave Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2	Hello Xaero and Kaushik Your responses were very incisive...I also have written the powerprep 2 essay...But I feel that it shadows in comparison.. Anyways here it is... Several questions arise when contemplating on the given issue.While it is true that technological tools have helped humanity to become modern and also that human interaction in the modern society has decreased,is it correct to attribute this loneliness to the development of modern technological tools? I don't think so.In fact, technological tools have always provided a chance for improvement of communications amongst people.The following paragraphs intend to make my stance more clear. Consider the changes that have marked the living patterns of the modern society.In the early days, the concept of joint family was in vogue.Many generations of people used to live under one single roof.But as the society evolved,the trend shifted towards have nuclear families,i.e,just the parents and their children.Children moved out at an early age from the house.This led to a kind of isolation between the members of a single family.This became a root cause of loneliness.The important point to note here is that this consequence was a result of a shift in a social pattern and no technological tool was directly responsible for it.Some may argue that important scientific events like the industrialization and increasing non-dependence on agriculture led to the spawning of nuclear families.But there are enough examples of families having a a non-agricultural occupation that still live under the joint-family system. On the other hand,consider what effect the development of a tool like telephone had.People could communicate with each other very effectively and quickly. Distance no longer acted as a barrier. This was a boon for families in which one of the member had to be away from it for some reason.He could keep in touch with all the members in his family and combat loneliness. One controversial issue is regarding that of television.While some people think that it has allowed people to keep themselves entertained and has reduced the feeling of loneliness,some feel that the advent of television has reduced the communication that is exchanged between members of a family and hence led to emotional isolation between family members.Now,this is dependant on how people use the television.If only limited amount is alloted for viewin television and some time is allotted for the family,then television viewing has a positive effect.But if it viewed continuously without any other concerns, then it may have a detrimental effect.In short, it is the way in which it is used that determines its effect on loneliness. In conclusion, I hope that the point which I want to make is clear.Barring controversial examples like that of television, technological tools in general have improved the scope for communication thus reducing the ways in which loneliness can occur.The reason for increasing loneliness in the modern society is related with the social trends in the society and not with the technological advancements. That's it... Try to reply ASAP as I have me GRE, believe me, tomorrow... thanx

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