history paper rewritten

EndingPhysical and Intellectual Isolation

HIS 204 American History Since 1865

10/17/2012

Technology has brought us out of the dark ages and has given us the ability to do things we never thought were possible. It is all around us and it helps to make our lives just a little bit easier. Technology has improved our communication and social interaction by making it possible for us to get information from one place to another in seconds and for people to travel great distances, including over the ocean in a lot less time. It has improved education by broadening our horizons and allowing us to experience and share different cultures with each other and enabling us to connect with new people from all around the world. Technology has made it possible for medical patients to become mobile or even hear again and enjoy a normal life. “Without a doubt, technological innovation is the cornerstone of the foundation which supports America’s end of physical and intellectual isolation.” (Lee, C., Para. 2, March 17, 2012.) These constant advancements in technology over the years has played a huge part in ending the physical and intellectual isolation of Americans.

The most important way that technology has helped to end isolation is through advancements in communications. In early the early years Americans were very isolated from one another because any form of communication would take days, weeks, and even months to send or receive anything. The telegraph was the first form of instant communication. It was invented in the 1930’s by Samuel Morse. This device was used to send messages over long distances by wire. The messages contained a series of long and short pulses called Morse code and it allowed people to share information much faster. Families were able to speak to one another in a matter of minutes when it would have normally taken months. The military found this form of communication very useful for relaying important messages to and from the troops. After the telegraph came the first telephone which was invented by Alexander Graham Bell. The telephone allowed people to simply talk to one another in minutes without having to translate or decipher a code. Families and friends were able to actually be involved with each other’s lives. Today, talking on the phone is a lot easier than before by use of cell phone, which provides us with the ability to call anyone while we are on the go. It has almost become a staple in every household and more often than not we have become quite dependent on them. Then came the invention of computers and the internet, which is even faster than the telephone because we are able to send emails and instant messages whenever we want. The Email has basically replaced the hand written sentiments and has made it possible for people to communicate on their own time. People spend hours a day on the internet working, playing, or just socializing. Social networking sites have become very popular over the years. These sites allow us to share information and pictures with friends and family regardless of where they live. Family and friends are able to update each other about things that are going on in their lives and stay in touch without having to travel great distances. Technology has also greatly improved communications in the work place as well. Thanks to cell phones, computers, and fax machines, Americans are able to contact one another and discuss business issues when and wherever they want. These machines also make it possible for us to work and talk to anyone and from anywhere, whether we are at home or even in another country. “New technology has emerged allowing us to better keep in touch with friends and family, access entertainment and information, and perform work from home wherever we happen to be at that moment.” (Lukas, C., Fox news, October 18, 2011)

The next biggest advancement in technology is transportation and travel. In the beginning most Americans traveled by horse and carriage which often could take up to months to get anywhere, then came the invention of the automobile which allowed people to not only travel to places faster but it also allowed them to transport goods from one place to another more efficiently and in a lot less time. “Henry Ford began the transportation revolution when he came up with the idea of mass production, making automobiles that were affordable for everyone.” (Bowles, M., 2011, 2.4) Railway was another popular travel option that allowed people to travel great distances for both business and pleasure. This gave Americans more job opportunities because instead of only being able to work locally, they could just hop on a train and work in other towns as well. Although trains and automobiles improved travel significantly, the invention of the airplane was probably the biggest advancement made in transportation. The Wright brothers invented the first airplane to fly in 1903. “These brothers dramatized the start of a revolution that has had more effect on the world than anything since the discovery of America.” (Wright, O., pg 1.1, 1988) The airplane not only allowed for even faster travel times but it also allowed us to travel across oceans in a lot less time as well. Before airplanes, the only way to travel across an ocean was by boat and that could take many months to do. Airplanes also made it possible for Americans to import and export goods all over the world more efficiently and faster than the automobile or even the train.

Another way that technology has helped to end isolation is through advancements in education. In the early centuries, there were books and teachers in school and that is what the students learned from. The invention of the computer and internet changed all that. Computers have given kids the freedom to research anything they need and it has also provided new and improved ways to learn. Every child is different, and let’s face it some are just not cut out for a class room setting or they need extra help that the teachers are not always able to provide. Computers have programs that give the children the extra help they may need to study and learn in ways that are appealing to the kids which makes learning more fun. Computer’s and the internet play a big role in improving education by making it possible to not only research anything from anywhere but also to communicate with people from different parts of the world, broadening our children’s minds and allowing them to experience new cultures without having to travel half way around the world. There are also online schools which allow children and adults to get all the benefits of public school or college from the comfort of their own home and allow them to learn at their own pace. Technology has greatly improved learning in and out of school. “78 percent of K- 12 teachers and administrators believe technology has positively impacted the classroom and the productivity of students.” (Lytle, R., par. 4, July 14, 2011) It has also improved communication between parents and schools as well. Parents are able to email teachers about questions and even access their child’s grades online as well as other links that maybe helpful to both the parent and the child as well.

Finally, technology has helped end isolation is through medical advancements. There are a lot of people today who suffer from various disabilities some of which make it very difficult for them to even move around. Technology has made it possible for these people to stay connected to society through the use of computers, phones, and television. It has also helped some people to actually regain their mobility with the invention of prosthetics and wheel chairs. People that that once though their lives would never be the same after losing a limb or who were born without, has been given the ability to live normal lives and to do the things that they love to do. Motorized chairs make it possible for someone without mobility to get from one place to another a lot faster and easier making it possible for these people to work and be a contributing member to their communities. Technology has also helped to improve and lengthen our lifespan through prevention and medication advancements. “The average age has steadily risen over the 20th century mainly due to improvements in medical care, many which the result of new technological innovations.” (Sonographers Resource website, Para. 9, nd) It has allowed for medication improvements, some of which actually help people to become less isolated and allows them to interact with society. Technolgy has given us the ability to test medical research and to make cures for many diseases as well as to diagnose these diseases as well as other medical contiions a lot sooner. Machines such as x-ray, cat scan, and many others allow doctors to visually see inside our bodies and make it possible for them to figure out what is wrong with us and provide us with a solution before it’s too late.

As you can see, technology has helped to end physical and intellectual isolation with advancements in many different areas. Technology has made transportation of all kinds both faster and easier than ever before. It has allowed us to communicate with anyone no matter where we are. Technology has made education and learning more appealing and fun for our children and has given them the opportunity to learn about out world. It has made it possible for people with medical conditions which limit their mobility to be a part of their community. Americans today have become highly dependent on these technology advancements and as our society continues to evolve and grow technology with grow and evolve with us. Technology has given us freedom to imagine and do the impossible and it is because of that reason that technology will continue to bring Americans out of physical and intellectual isolation in the years to come.

REFERENCES

1. Lee, C., American Technology: Physical and Intellectual Isolation’s End, Para. 2, March 17, 2012, retrieved from http://blog.thezeitgeistmovement.com/blog/christopher-lee-fuller/american-technology-physical-and-intellectual-isolations-end

2. Lukas, C., (October 18, 2011). If We Can Change the Way We Communicate, We Can Change the Way We Educate, Fox News, par. 1, retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/10/18/if-can-change-way-communicate-can-change-way-educate/

3. Bowles, M., (2011). A History of the United States since 1865, 3.3, San Diego, CA: Bridge point Education, Inc

4. Wright, O. (1988). How We Invented the Airplane: An Illustrated History. Dover Publications, retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=h8XLduk5J8sC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=who+invented+the+airplane&ots=EBWuXeQQXI&sig=vVvMxiCsGM2BFcV3fSOqth6DOnQ

5. Lytle, R. (July 14, 2011). Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom, par. 4, retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2011/07/14/study-emerging-technology-has-positive-impact-in-classroom

6. Sonographers Resource Website, Ways in Which Technology has Changed Health Care, par. 9, nd, retrieved from http://www.ultrasound-technician.net/ways-in-which-technology-has-changed-health-care/