When talking about technology I think most people jump saying the downfalls of having iPhones, flat screen TV's, and cars. Yet, even though these things can be bad and are hurting our planet I think we forget to appreciate what technology has brought and how much it has helped. I wonder where people stand on the question, do the benefits outweigh the costs? By this I mean, even though cars and electronics are creating a huge carbon footprint, along with the development of these products was the development of medical equipment and the science to create medications for now curable diseases. I often wonder whether it would hurt or benefit mankind/our planet if we didn't have the technological advancements, whether they are cars or medical equipment.

I mean yes the medical stuff is needed but fancy phones and computers aren't necessary for life

I think that cars and medical equipment can not be compared in this situation. I believe that the manufacturing of medical equipment and antibiotics are absolutely worth the cost of making them, but cars not so much. I think cars are essential to everyday life, but i also believe that people rely too much on them. A lot of people whenever possible try to get out of walking, biking, and taking public transportation just to find comfort in a vehicle.  I do not think that cars are worth what they emit until a safer and more environmentally friendly car becomes available i will always feel this way.

I believe that human innovations are generally beneficial.  I agree with Marissa about the fact that environmentally friendly cars are absolutely a better solution.  However, technological innovation is a cumulative process that builds on itself, and I believe that, although humans have created issues by making polluting cars, planes, and other innovations, these technologies have have been essential to the development of the human experience.  Without the invention of these technologies, humans never would have been able to travel around the world, explore new places, and learn about the all of the things that make up our life on Earth.  What is important now is that, because of what we know from the past and present, we have the ability to create alternative energy and make our technologies greener.  Because we have been able to do research and learn by strategies of experimentation and trial and error, the benefits of our flawed cars and TVs outweighs the costs. 

That being said, although mankind has benefitted from its innovations in communication technology, the p lanet definitely has not.  Without humans polluting the environment with our factories, cars, food industries, etc., and tearing apart ecosystems through deforestation, I have no doubt that planet Earth and its other species would be faring better than they are at this moment.

Yes advancement comes with evolution and so has technology but it doesn't make it a good thing. Yes its faster but some people think with technology there is no need for real books and writing letters. I think we should try to keep some of the things from before cell phones and email. That is my opiniom