Science & technology have undoubtedly helped mankind in various ways to either improve our life conditions or to solve our different challenges. Many products and inventions have & are still contributing to our wellbeing. However, science & technology also present several important drawbacks which are silently pushed under the rug so as not to stir commotions. The purpose of this essay is to bring into limelight these drawbacks so as to sensitise the human race of some truths as well as some problems which are not being addressed correctly.

The major problem of modern development is that the leaders behind such progress are not measuring the pace at which they are driving the world. The reason is that we have invented competition & financial profitability. Everything is profit & number-one products to benefit from maximum sales. Just to cite an example in a very fast developing industry which is mobile communication. We are now at the speed of 5G for network communication & I am pretty sure research is being made to reach 6G, even though the 5G speed is phenomenal. Why is this done? Just to be the leader in the market. Business leaders should learn to set limits on all technological development. Because without limits, there is the danger of being caught in a rat race- which is already present but which will definitely worsen over time. Going too fast is causing adaptability issues in the world population, which is not measured & shared in the media. Everyone tries to cope with the result of increased stress. Many of us are living beyond our means by taking loans to follow the world & its crazy pace. Very few will resist.

The next problem is the analysis of the impacts of development on our lives. This is too often neglected by sheer ignorance or by lack of proper vision. Because there is huge selfishness in the business world. Many business leaders have also been very surprised by the tremendous success of their products & they have been unable to foresee all the negative impacts. A very good example is social media. I can say that this is another addiction we have created just like drugs. Now, there are even legal fights going on to try to correct unanticipated serious impacts on people’s lives. Another example is the increasing use of internet by infants, whish is becoming alarming. Associations are being formed to try to regulate utilisation. But we are already caught up in our own creations and urgent actions are needed to reverse the hazardous situation in which we are.

The situation I have discussed above is not limited to the technological field only. All of our development has drawbacks. And these are not addressed with sufficient seriousness until they become universal issues like air pollution, water pollution, climatic imbalances & ecological disturbances. Despite having exact knowledge on all the negative impacts of development, it is indeed very sad to note the sluggishness in the implementation of appropriate solutions. This is not a responsible reaction especially when we know that all the developed nations have a high rate of literacy. But it is unfortunately not literacy which counts here but common sense, selflessness, compassion & integrity which should be the drivers. Because this Earth is not a toy to be played with- and certainly not a laboratory for trial & errors. This should be very clear for all future development which may threaten our wellbeing & that of the ecosystem.