Technology & the Living World

Technology is the application of knowledge to achieve practical goals in a reproducible way, including the products resulting from such efforts.

It has considerably changed and influenced the quality of life on earth, changing the way humans behave and daily manage (or be managed) their lives – from communication and transport to healthcare and connectivity.

However, we have been devasted by several ecological disasters over the last few decades that are the result of excessive manipulation of natural resources – such as air pollution, toxic waste production, ocean pollution, and deforestation. These disasters not only impact humans but also other living things on planet earth.

We may ask how this is possible amidst the rapid progress in science and technology globally. Although there is more education available for all, but sadly less common sense – significant progress has been made in medicine, but humans have poorer health, and while the average household income is growing in our new “capitalistic world” people have less peace of mind and “world hunger” remains a global crisis.

The problems seems to be the human capacity to manage themselves and especially their newly attained technology. In the words of probably our world’s most accomplished scientist, Nicola Tesla:

"It is hard to give unlimited power to limited minds"

Science is a product of human intelligence, but it is only one part of the mental faculty/mind. Humans can achieve more than this one aspect (intelligence) that the mind offers, and that is what sets up apart from robots and artificial intelligence (AI). Many tangible achievements presently are materialistic in nature and science has been instrumental in this advancement of materialism. Science has created a need for products that pursue the extremes – everything seeks to be bigger, faster, higher, or sweeter.

While pursuing the best to improve quality of life is not inherently evil, the unwise use or misuse of Science and Technology with no regard to the holistic nature of the environment and the intrinsic aspect of human lives is bound to create new global problems and threatening living conditions for all life on planet earth.

Tesla also highlighted the fact that mastery of the human mind should be the focus and specifically to the benefit of all humanity …

Modern Technology’s impact and Danger

With the advancements in robotic engineering, biomolecular technology (including DNA manipulation in plant and animal species) and artificial intelligence (AI), it is possible to come up with a new artificial lifeform. Despite our claims of “understanding” all this new technology, there are still long-term implications that we cannot foresee happening and/or choose to ignore in favour of short-term economic gain.

As an example of the challenges and potential harmful and long-term negative of new technology on especially the living world, the new 5G technology used in telecommunication can be mentioned and it include amongst other:

1. Increased radiation & pollution from the 5G technology

Although this new technology will allow users to communicate more conveniently and efficiently, it will also increase the amount of radiation in the environment. The proliferation of 5G-enabled devices will require huge amounts of energy. It will cause more pollution than other technologies.

2. The effect of 5G Technology on the environment, animals and plants

In addition and despite its fast speeds, 5G does not have the same range as 4G. Large structures and trees may also block the bandwidth of the 5Gbps, creating several problems. As a result, additional towers are required for coverage and obstructing trees/plants will have to be removed, which is not only time-consuming and costly but have both serious environmental and economic consequences.

Because mmWaves can travel only a short distance, small cell towers, about the size of a medium suitcase, will need to be placed 250 meters apart, such as on rooftops, telephone poles, trees, and street lights to ensure comprehensive coverage in cities. This large network of 5G towers (not to even mention the number of planned new satellites in our atmosphere) will drastically change the aesthetic appearance of all environments.

The radiation from 5G mobile phones might be harmful for animals and birds too; for example, high-frequency electromagnetic waves are said to alter insects’ body temperatures and impair their ability to orient themselves.

3. 5G Technology and Human Health

Although there is limited research available on how 5G specifically affects animals, plants and human, 5G towers have been in operation in many cities globally since 2019. However, many medical professionals and researchers have raised serious concerns about the potential negative effects of 5G on human health, animals, plants and the environment at large.

These concerns includes:
The fact that mobile phones use frequencies of 1.8 to 2.2 GHz and this EMF cause tissue heating, can affect cognative function, and are “possibly carcinogenic” to humans (according to WHO). Tissue heating occurs when your skin absorbs electromagnetic energy (EMF). This causes a slight rise in temperature in your brain and body.
A 2021 study also found that people experience more EMF-related tissue heating as they get older. Plus, the higher the EMFs, the more they absorb. That’s because older individuals tend to have reduced skin thickness and blood flow.

Citing a large body of research on the hazards of exposure to EMF, more than 240 scientists, who together have published more than 2,000 peer-reviewed papers on the effects of EMF, have appealed to the United Nations for urgent action to reduce EMF exposure emitting from wireless sources. These scientists also submitted a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), asking it to consider health risks and environmental issues before rapidly deploying 5th-generation wireless infrastructure. Since 5G towers are rising daily, it seems that these concerns by scientists have been ignored.

Dr. Lennart Hardell, an oncologist in Sweden, spoke out against the EMF project. In a 2017 research review, Hardell stated that five of the six members of EMF’s core group are affiliated with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). According to Hardell, this is a conflict of interest. He also states that many members of ICNIRP are affiliated with industries that use wireless networks.

Conclusion

Presently we, the human species, are creating and allowing a great deal of new technology to cover our planet and living world, despite the potential negative long-term impact on our planet, environment and all living biological species. Yes, technology can be useful but we must seriously consider more than just “economic growth”, especially if it comes at the expensive or loss of a healthy living world and planet.

… and then there is also Artificial Intelligence + Quantum Computers!