1. Yes, modern technology always improves the quality of people's lives.
1.1. rise of transhumanism and techno-progressivism
1.2. greater productivity and product output as it increases the efficiency of the worker
1.2.1. technological hardware (i.e. computers and softwares)
1.2.2. information processed at a faster rate
1.2.3. tedious manual tasks (i.e. calculations or manual graphic designs) done with greater accuracy and speed
1.2.4. quality product output > greater sales and revenue > increased economic well being of the individual worker
1.3. advancements in communication
1.3.1. transcend time and space at hyperspeeds, communicate globally and disregard time zones
1.3.2. maintenence of relationships and allows for social networking within one's borders and across the globe
1.3.2.1. new communication programmes (e.g. mobile "friend finder" to pinpoint exact location of friends), social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace)
1.3.3. expansion of business commence
1.3.3.1. increases international trade as time and space difference can be overcomed through synonymous dealings online
1.4. improved quality of life in the physical aspect: removed tedium from complex tasks
1.4.1. (e.g. transport technology, basic mechanical equipment, domestic technology)
1.4.1.1. (e.g. Transport technology, like steam engines, initiated the Industrial Revolution, or like maritime expertise, resulted in the expansion of colonies)
2. No, modern technology does not always improve the quality of people's lives.
2.1. places more barriers between people as face to face meetings occur less often
2.1.1. erodes ability to communicate and relate to one another
2.1.2. spaces of work and home are dissipated
2.2. loss of individual privacy
2.2.1. people subject to the incessant need to always be contactable
2.3. people become highly dependent on technology and become lazy
2.4. people becoming increasingly materialistic as items of modern technology such as the latest mobile phone become high on demand
2.5. replaces people's job as machines are deemed more efficient, productive and cheap
2.5.1. unemployment
2.6. challenges our moral and religious beliefs
2.6.1. e.g controversies such as stem cell research, cloning etc.
2.7. may lead to unlawful means of generating income through exploiting technological advancements
2.7.1. e.g piracy and copyright infringement
2.7.1.1. destroys recognition of efforts by people who contribute to the success of the product
2.8. May lead to environmental degradation, the depletion of natural resources and production of unwanted by-products such as pollution
2.8.1. urgent concern of various Green Movements and politicians
2.8.2. (e.g. drought in Australia, floods in Myanmar)
3. definition of quality of life
3.1. personal satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the CULTURAL and INTELLECTUAL conditions under which you live in
4. Our stance
4.1. YES but the improvement always comes at a price and the value of this exchange requires thoughtful consideration
4.1.1. no doubt modern technology has also resulted in some deteriorations in the quality of people's life, with access to further advancements in technology, such disadvantages are likely to be overcome