Critical Reflection 2

Driving Question: Is it sustainable that we continue on our current path of technological development?

The question of whether it is sustainable for us to continue our current path of technological development is difficult and complicated. In order to explore this question, I will use Gibbs’ Reflective Model, which consists of six stages: Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, and Action Plan, to better explain this in more details.

Description: Our current path of technological development is characterized by rapid advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and automation. These developments are transforming our society in many ways, from the way we work to the way we communicate and interact with each other.

Feelings: There are many emotions associated with the question of whether our current path of technological development is sustainable. On the one hand, there is excitement and optimism about the potential benefits that new technologies could bring, such as increased efficiency, improved health outcomes, and reduced environmental impact. On the other hand, there is also concern and anxiety about the potential negative consequences of these developments, such as the loss of jobs, increased inequality, and the loss of privacy.

Evaluation: In order to evaluate whether our current path of technological development is sustainable, we must consider both the positive and negative aspects of these developments. From one point of view, new technologies have the potential to address many of the challenges facing our society, such as climate change and public health. There are also risks associated with these developments, such as the potential for misuse or unintended consequences. One only must look to the Congo were mining cobalt for batteries has led to the exploitation of children used in illegal artisan mines.

Analysis: To fully understand the implications of our current path of technological development, we must consider a range of factors, including economic, social, and environmental impacts. For example, we must consider how these technologies will affect the job market, income inequality, and access to resources. We must also consider how they will affect the environment, including the use of resources and the generation of waste. Many new green technologies are very hard to dispose of so new industries need to be created to recycle these new products such as batteries.

Conclusion: Based on the analysis, our current path of technological development is not sustainable in its current form. While there are certainly benefits associated with these developments, there are also significant risks and challenges that must be addressed. In order to ensure that our technological advancements are sustainable, we must take a more holistic approach that considers the economic, social, and environmental impacts of these developments especially the inequity of poorer developing countries.

Action Plan: To address the challenges associated with our current path of technological development, we must act on multiple levels. At the individual level, we must educate ourselves about the potential risks and benefits of new technologies and take steps to ensure that we are using them responsibly. At the organizational level, we should encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and consider the broader impacts of their technologies and using incentives to help foster some of these changes. Lastly, at the policy level from the governments level, we must develop regulations and policies that promote sustainable technological development and ensure that these developments are in line with broader societal goals, while also not placing to much burden on the population to the point of where things become too expensive and put more people into poverty.