Lesson 1: Technology as a Way of Revealing mere resources, which can be

dangerous.

 In order to spark the discussion on the role

At A Glance: Who is Martin Heidegger? of ethics and social morality in science and
technology, it is necessary to his (1) go
"The essence of technology is by no means
back to the very essence of technology, i-
anything technological." ~ Martin Heidegger
e., its definition. The essence of
(1977)
technology can be captured in its
 Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) is definition. In treatise, The Question
widely acknowledged as one of the most Concerning Technology, Martin Heidegger
important philosophers of the 20th (1977) explains the two widely embraced
century. definitions of technology: instrumental and
(2) anthropological
 He was a German philosopher who was
part of the Continental tradition of  1. this Instrumental definition:
philosophy. Technology is a means to an end.
Technology is not an end in itself, it is a
 His stern opposition to positivism and means to an end. In context, technology is
technological world domination received viewed as a tool available to individuals,
support from leading postmodernists groups, and communities that desire to
and post-structuralists, including make an to impact on society. How
Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, and technology is used varies from individual
Jean-François Lyotard. to individual, groups to groups, and
 In 1933, he joined the Nazi Party communities according to their individual
(NSDAP) and remained a member until it and collective functions, goals, and
was dismantled toward the end of World aspirations. While technology is
War II. omnipresent, knowing its functions
requires paying attention to how humans
 Heidegger's work on philosophy focused use it as a means to an end. In this sense,
on ontology or the study ‘being’ or dasein technology is an instrument aimed at
in German. His philosophical works are getting things done.
often described as complicated, partly due
to his use of complex compound German  2. Anthropological definition:
words, such as Seinsvergessenheit Technology is a human activity.
(Forgetfulness of Being), Bodenstandigkeit Alternatively, technology can also be
(Rootedness-in-Soil), and defined as a human activity because to
Wesensverfassung (Essential achieve an end and to produce and use a
Constitution). means to an end is, by itself, a human
activity. The production or invention of
technological equipment, tools and
machines, the products and inventions,
The Essence of Technology and the purpose and functions they serve
 According to Heidegger, technology is are what define technology.
not merely a tool; it is a way of  Both definitions, i.e., instrumental and
understanding the world. anthropological, are correct. However,
 He introduced the concept of Enframing neither touches on the true essence of
(Gestell), which means that modern technology.
technology challenges nature and turns
it into a standing reserve—something
to be exploited. Technology as a Way of Revealing
 Heidegger warns that modern Heidegger stressed that the true can only be
technology reduces everything to pursued through the correct. Simply, what is
correct leads to what is true. In this sense,  Modern technology, on the other
Heidegger envisioned technology as a way of hand, challenges forth. It forces nature
revealing—a mode of ‘bringing forth.’ Bringing into a standing-reserve (Bestand)—a
forth can be understood through the Ancient stockpile of resources ready for human
Greek philosophical concept, poiesis, which refers consumption and exploitation. Instead of
to the act of bringing something out of allowing things to emerge naturally,
concealment. By bringing something out of modern technology extracts, transforms,
concealment, the truth of that something is and manipulates nature for efficiency and
revealed. The truth is understood through control.
another Ancient Greek concept of aletheia, which
Modern Technology as Enframing
is translated as unclosedness, unconcealedness,
disclosure, or truth. Heidegger describes modern technology’s
essence as Gestell (enframing). This is not a
Thus, for Heidegger, technology is a form of
neutral tool but a way of revealing that reduces
poeisis—a way of revealing that unconceals
the world to raw material. It turns forests into
aletheia or the truth. This is seen in the way the
"lumber reserves," rivers into "hydroelectric
term techne, the Greek root word of technology,
power sources," and even humans into "labor
is understood in different contexts. In philosophy,
forces."
techne resembles the term episteme that refers
to the human ability to make and perform. Techne  Calculative Thinking vs. Meditative
also encompasses knowledge and understanding. Thinking:
In art, it refers to tangible and intangible aspects
of life. The Greeks understood techne in the way o Calculative thinking dominates
that it encompasses not only craft, but other acts modern technological society, as it
of the mind, and poetry. seeks to measure, predict, and
control.

o Meditative thinking, which allows

The Danger of Modern Technology things to unfold naturally, is
overshadowed but remains
 Heidegger argues that the true danger
essential for a more holistic
of technology is not its products
relationship with technology.
(machines, devices, etc.) but the way it
shapes human perception. Implications of Challenging Forth

 Modern technology makes people see  Environmental Exploitation: Overuse of

the world only as something to be natural resources without regard for
controlled and used. ecological balance.

 He calls for a rethinking of technology  Human Exploitation: Workers reduced to

to prevent its destructive effects. mere functions in economic systems.

Does Modern Technology Bring Forth or  Loss of Authenticity: A world that is

Challenge Forth? mechanized and controlled rather than
one that reveals itself in its own way.
Heidegger’s distinction between bringing forth
(poiesis) and challenging forth is crucial in Is There a Way Out?
understanding modern technology.
Heidegger does not propose rejecting technology
 Primitive crafts and traditional but suggests a shift in our way of thinking. If
technology bring forth in the sense of humans can engage in a more mindful,
poiesis, meaning they allow nature to meditative approach to technology, they may
reveal itself organically. A blacksmith, for prevent themselves from being entirely
instance, works with iron and allows it to consumed by its enframing power.
take shape, but does not force it against
its essence.
The Role of Art as the Saving Power Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho once remarked
that it is arrogant for humans to think that nature
 Heidegger suggests that art provides an
needs saving. The Earth has endured mass
alternative way of revealing the world.
extinctions, climate shifts, and cosmic
 Unlike technology, art does not force events—long before humans arrived, and it
nature into submission; instead, it lets will continue long after they are gone.
things be and allows truth to emerge
 The real crisis is not the destruction of the
naturally.
planet but the survival of human
 Through art, humans can resist the civilization.
dehumanizing effects of modern
 Human exploitation of technology
technology.
accelerates environmental
destruction—deforestation, pollution,
and resource depletion—but the planet will
The Dangers of Technology: A Heideggerian eventually regenerate. The question is
Perspective whether humans will be able to survive
the conditions they create.
The dangers of technology lie not only in its
physical impacts but also in how it shapes human  Instead of assuming a role as “saviors” of
existence. Humans are deeply involved in the nature, humans must acknowledge their
process of bringing forth (poiesis) or challenging interconnectedness with it and seek
forth (enframing), but the real danger emerges sustainable ways to exist.
when they fail to recognize how they themselves
3. Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword
become instruments of technology.
Social media is a perfect example of how
technology both benefits and harms society.
1. The Illusion of Control: Are We Using  Positive Effects: Instant communication,
Technology, or Is It Using Us? accessibility to knowledge, and social
One of the greatest dangers of technology is the activism.
false assumption that humans fully control it.  Negative Effects:
Heidegger warns that technology is not just
a tool; it changes the way humans think and o Privacy invasion: Personal data is
exist. collected and used for profit, often
without full user awareness.
 Many assume technology exists to serve
human needs, but often, it subtly shapes o Online disinhibition: Anonymity
behavior, habits, and even values. encourages cyberbullying, hate
speech, and radicalization.
 Example: Social media was created to
enhance communication, yet it has o Misinformation and
reshaped social interactions in ways that manipulation: The spread of fake
make people more reliant on digital news affects politics, public health,
validation (likes, shares, and comments) and personal beliefs.
rather than genuine human connection.
Recognizing these dangers requires critical
 When people engage with technology thinking and intentional use of technology. If
without questioning its effects, they left unchecked, people risk losing their sense of
unknowingly become part of what reality, replacing meaningful relationships with
Heidegger calls the “standing digital interactions, and even surrendering their
reserve”—resources to be used and privacy to corporations and governments.
exploited.
4. Technology Is Not Neutral: The Real
2. Nature Does Not Need Saving—Humans Danger Lies in Its Essence
Do
A common misconception is that technology is Art as the Saving Power: A Heideggerian
neutral—that it is neither good nor bad, and that Perspective on Technology
its effects depend on how it is used. However,
To address the dangers of technology, Heidegger
Heidegger warns that this perspective is
calls for reflection and confrontation with its
dangerously misleading.
essence. He draws from Friedrich Hölderlin’s
 People are “delivered over” to technology poetic insight:
in the worst way when they view it as
“But where danger is, grows the saving power
neutral, because this prevents them
also” (Heidegger, 1977, p. 14).
from questioning how it controls their
lives. This suggests that the solution to the dangers of
technology is found within its very essence. Since
 The essence of technology is not found in
technology is not neutral, its essence is not
devices like smartphones or machines but
something purely mechanical or digital—it is
in the way it conditions human thought
deeply tied to how humans reveal and interact
and behavior.
with the world. Heidegger proposes art as the
5. The Path Forward: Balancing pathway to escaping technology’s limiting
Technological Progress with Reflection enframing.

Instead of blindly embracing or rejecting

technology, Heidegger suggests that humans
must develop a thoughtful relationship with 1. Art as Techne: A Way of Revealing
it.
In ancient Greece, the word techne referred to
 This means actively questioning how both art and craft, meaning a form of creative
technology influences decision-making, revealing. Art, for Heidegger, is a way to
social structures, and ethical values. uncover truth—a force that brings forth
reality without reducing it to mere
 It also means cultivating both standing-reserve.
calculative and meditative thinking—
balancing practical problem-solving with  Unlike modern technology, which
deep reflection on what it means to be “challenges forth” nature, art allows
human in a technological world. nature to reveal itself naturally.

 Through art, people move away from

calculative thinking (where everything
Conclusion: The Choice Between Being is reduced to an ordered system) and
Users or Being Used toward meditative thinking, which
appreciates the world as a poetic, dynamic
Technology is neither inherently evil nor purely
existence.
beneficial—it depends on how humans engage
with it. The real danger is not in  Example: A painting of a forest does not
technological advancements themselves, extract or control the trees; instead, it
but in human complacency—when people reveals the essence of nature in a way
allow technology to define their existence that allows for appreciation rather than
rather than the other way around. exploitation.

 If people continue to let technology dictate By focusing on art, people can see beyond
their lives without reflection, they risk technology’s enframing and recognize the
becoming mere instruments of the system deeper, poetic relationship between humans
they created. and nature.

 But if they cultivate awareness, they can

use technology while still preserving
their humanity. 2. Questioning as the Piety of Thought
Heidegger concludes his discourse on technology becoming in this era of technological
with a crucial idea: dominance.

“The closer we come to the danger, the more  Are humans still in control of technology,
brightly do the ways into the saving power begin or has technology begun to shape human
to shine and the more questioning we become. existence in ways that go unnoticed?
For questioning is the piety of thought” (1977, p.
 Can technology and art coexist
19).
harmoniously, or must one dominate the
This means that as technology becomes more other?
dominant, the urgency to question its role in
By embracing art and questioning
human life grows stronger.
technology, humans can navigate modernity
 People must not accept technology without losing their essence.
blindly but instead critically examine
how it shapes their thinking, actions,
and values.
Conclusion: Finding Balance Between
 Questioning technology is an act of Technology and Humanity
reverence—it allows humans to step
Technology, when left unexamined, risks
back, reflect, and reassess their place in
consuming human life, reducing people to
the grand scheme of things.
mere resources in an endless cycle of
production and consumption.

 Art, as techne, provides a way out of this

3. Why Questioning is Essential in the Age
trap, allowing humans to reconnect with
of Technology
nature and experience truth in its most
Modern society often treats technology as poetic form.
inevitable and unquestionable. However,
 Through questioning, people can
Heidegger argues that failure to question leads to
critically engage with technology
complete immersion in enframing, making
rather than passively surrender to it.
humans passive participants rather than active
thinkers. Ultimately, Heidegger does not call for rejecting
technology but for developing a deeper
 Without questioning, humans risk
awareness of its power, limits, and impact
losing their own essence, becoming
on human existence.
mere instruments of technology.

 Example: AI and automation are

advancing rapidly, yet few ask: How does Lesson 2: The Question Concerning
this impact human creativity? What does Technology
it mean for human identity if machines
can think and create? Key Concepts

Through questioning, people can regain their  Heidegger argues that technology is not
autonomy and prevent technology from fully neutral—it shapes human existence in
dictating their existence. fundamental ways.

 Technology should not be seen only as a

means to an end but as something that
4. Reassessing Human Identity in the reveals the nature of reality.
Technological Age

Heidegger’s message is clear: Humans must

take a step back and reflect on who they Two Types of Technology
were, who they are, and who they are
1. Traditional Technology (Poiesis)
 o Brings things into existence 1. Overconsumption and Its Risks
naturally.
How does overconsumption harm the planet
o Examples: Craftsmanship, pottery, and society?
and poetry.
 Depletes natural resources faster than the
2. Modern Technology (Enframing / Earth can replenish.
Gestell)
 Increases pollution and waste, contributing
o Challenges and manipulates to climate change.
nature.
 Creates economic disparity—rich countries
o Turns the world into a consume excessively while poorer nations
“standing reserve” (resources to struggle.
be controlled).
Manifestations of overproduction and
overconsumption:

 Fast fashion: Excessive production of

The Danger of Enframing
clothes, leading to pollution.
 Enframing prevents humans from
 Single-use plastics: Overuse causes
seeing the world as it truly is.
environmental damage.
 Example: A river is no longer just a river
 Food waste: Overproduction leads to large
but a source of hydroelectric power.
amounts of food being discarded.

Should high-income countries regulate their

Technology and Freedom growth and consumption?

 Heidegger warns that humans risk  Yes, to prevent further environmental

becoming enslaved by technology if destruction.
they do not question it.  Encourages fairer distribution of resources.
 The only way to overcome the dangers  Reduces economic disparity between rich
of modern technology is to be aware of its and poor nations.
influence and seek alternative ways of
revealing the world.

Reviewer: Human Flourishing in Progress 2. The Failure of Growth-Based

and De-development Development
Key Concepts: Why has the gap between rich and poor
countries widened?
 Jason Hickel’s Framework: Proposes
de-development as an alternative to  Despite economic growth, poverty has not
traditional growth models. decreased significantly.
 Problem with Growth: Despite 70 years  The wealth generated mostly benefits rich
of development efforts, poverty persists, nations.
and inequality is widening.
 Development programs focus on
 Main Issue: Overconsumption in rich increasing GDP, not improving quality of
countries is depleting resources and life.
harming the planet.
Key Statistics:
 Solution: Shift from material growth to a
sustainable, high-quality life.  The global economy grew by 380 percent
since 1980, but poverty increased by 1.1
billion people.
  Current global consumption is 50 percent
over sustainable limits.
4. Final Takeaways
 The United States and Canada consume
eight global hectares per person, while  Development should focus on quality of
sustainable use is only 1.8 hectares. life, not just economic growth.

Alternative Perspective:  The idea that "more is always better" must

be questioned.
 Instead of making poor countries "catch
up," rich countries should "catch down" to  Rich nations must adjust their
sustainable consumption levels. consumption habits to create a
sustainable future.
 Example: Cuba has the same life
expectancy as the United States but  Flourishing is not about having more—it is
consumes far fewer resources. about living wisely.

Either humanity makes changes voluntarily,

or nature will impose limits.
3. Reimagining Progress: Beyond GDP
Growth

GDP is an outdated measure of progress. Lesson 3: The Good Life

 Does not account for well-being or What is the "Good Life"?

happiness.
The "good life" is a life of happiness, well-being,
 Encourages endless material and fulfillment. It is not just about material wealth
accumulation. but also about living a meaningful and virtuous
life.
 Leads to environmental collapse.
Two Kinds of "Good"
Alternative Models:
1. Instrumental Good – Things that are
 Buen Vivir (Good Living): A Latin good because they help us achieve
American concept focusing on community something else (e.g., money, education).
well-being and sustainability.
2. Ultimate Good – The highest goal,
 Steady-State Economy: Limits something we seek for its own sake (e.g.,
unnecessary growth while maintaining a happiness).
high quality of life.
Eudaimonia: The Ultimate Good
 Proposed Policies:
 Eudaimonia means "human flourishing"
o Banning excessive advertising. (from the Greek words eu = good, daimon
= spirit).
o Shorter workweeks to reduce stress
and overproduction.  It is about reaching our full potential, living
with purpose, and being truly happy.
o Basic income to ensure fair wealth
distribution. Aristotle’s Tripartite Soul
Why is this necessary?  Aristotle believed the soul has three parts:
 If humans do not slow down, climate 1. Rational Soul – The part that
change will force them to. thinks and reasons.
 Overconsumption leads to food shortages 2. Spirited Soul – The part that
and economic crises. drives emotions and desires.
 True progress means living better, not just
consuming more.
 3. Appetitive Soul – The part
responsible for basic urges
(hunger, pleasure). Lesson 4: When Technology and Humanity
Cross
 Eudaimonia requires rational direction,
meaning we must use reason to guide our The Dangers of Technology
emotions and desires.
 Technology can consume humans if they
Arête and Human Happiness do not use it wisely.

 Arête means virtue or excellence.  Social media, while beneficial, also causes
issues like privacy invasion, fake news,
 To be truly happy, a person must develop and online disinhibition.
virtues and live ethically.
 Heidegger warns that the real danger of
The Good Life According to Aristotle technology is viewing it as neutral,
 The good life is a balance between which makes people blind to its true
deficiency (lacking something) and impact.
excess (having too much). Art as the "Saving Power"
 It is achieved through thought (wisdom)  Heidegger suggests that art can help
and character (virtue). counteract the dangers of technology.
 It is closely linked to scientific progress  Art encourages meditative thinking
and technology, as these can help rather than just calculative thinking
improve human life if used wisely. (which only focuses on efficiency and
Comparison of Key Terms utility).

 Art connects humans to nature and truth,

Concept
Concept 1 Difference offering a way to escape technological
2
enframing.
Instrumental goods help us
Questioning as the Piety of Thought
Instrumen Ultimat achieve something else,
tal Good e Good while ultimate goods are  Heidegger emphasizes that questioning is
sought for their own sake. important for understanding our role in a
world dominated by technology.
Pleasure is temporary and
Happine based on enjoyment, while  Humans must reflect on who they were,
Pleasure
ss happiness is long-term who they are, and who they are becoming
fulfillment. in this age of technology.

Virtue is moral excellence,

Virtue Vice while vice is immoral or
bad behavior. Lesson 2: Human Flourishing, Progress, and
De-development
Intellectual virtues involve
Overconsumption and Its Risks
knowledge and reasoning,
Intellectua Moral
while moral virtues involve  70% of people in middle- and high-income
l Virtue Virtue
good character and countries believe overconsumption harms
behavior. the planet and society.

Science and technology  Overproduction and overconsumption lead

Science & The can help improve life, but to environmental destruction, resource
Technolog Good the good life is about living depletion, and social inequalities.
y Life meaningfully and
Jason Hickel’s “De-development”
virtuously.
  Traditional economic growth has failed to and access to information. However, its rapid
eliminate poverty despite decades of advancement also raises ethical concerns and
development efforts. dilemmas.

 The rich consume too much, while the

poor struggle. The world cannot sustain
this level of consumption. The Role of Technology in Society

 Instead of making poor countries  Enhances Efficiency – Technology helps

"catch up" to rich ones, rich countries in completing tasks faster in homes,
should "catch down" by reducing offices, and laboratories.
excessive consumption.
 Provides Convenience – Makes life
Examples of Sustainable Living easier by offering quick solutions to
everyday problems.
 Countries like Cuba, Costa Rica, and
Ecuador achieve high life expectancy and  Improves Communication – Connects
happiness with much lower income and people globally through social media,
consumption than rich nations. messaging apps, and video calls.

 The idea of Buen Vivir (good living) from  Expands Access to Information – The
Latin America suggests a way of life based internet allows instant learning and
on balance and sustainability. research opportunities.

Reimagining Progress

 Instead of always chasing economic Robots and Their Role

growth, we should focus on quality of
life, happiness, and sustainability. Robots are designed to assist humans in various
fields. There are two main types:
 Policies like banning excessive
advertising, reducing work hours, and 1. Service Robots – Help with household
introducing a basic income could tasks, healthcare, and customer service.
improve life while reducing consumption. 2. Industrial Robots – Used in
Final Thought manufacturing, construction, and heavy
industries.
 Either we voluntarily reduce consumption,
or climate change and resource depletion Key Benefits of Robots:
will force us to. ✔ Reduce human workload and increase
efficiency.
 The goal is not to suffer or give up ✔ Perform dangerous or repetitive tasks safely.
progress but to achieve a higher level of ✔ Entertain people through amusement parks
understanding about what truly matters in and robotic toys.
life.
Robots in Media:

 Popularized in movies and TV shows,

leading to fascination and discussions
about their future role in society.
lesson 4 Reviewer: When Technology and
Humanity Cross

Overview Isaac Asimov’s Laws of Robotics

Technology plays a crucial role in modern society, To ensure robots act ethically, science fiction
affecting everyone’s daily life. It enhances writer Isaac Asimov created three laws:
efficiency in homes, workplaces, and industries 1. A robot may not harm a human being.
while providing entertainment, communication,
 2. A robot must obey human orders, unless
it contradicts the first law.
Lesson 1: Information Age
3. A robot must protect itself, as long as it
Alata et al. (2021) pointed out that our
does not conflict with the first or second
society today is highly technologically
law.
advanced, data-driven, and fast-paced.
Information is easily accessed and shared,
driving continuous modernization across various
Ethical Dilemmas in Robotics sectors. The economy, industry, business,
transportation, education, healthcare, and the
As robots become more advanced, ethical
environment are all undergoing significant
concerns arise. Key issues include:
transformation in response to the digital age.
Accountability in Robotics

 If a robot follows Asimov’s Laws, it is

The Information Age began in the last
considered ethical.
quarter of the 20th century and is characterized
 Misuse by Users → The user should be by the rapid, seamless access and management
responsible. of information through written and digital
publications, facilitated by computers and
 Programming Errors → The networks. This era has transformed how humans
manufacturer or inventor is accountable. communicate messages, ideas, and emotions—
 Full Autonomy Issues → Both the robot whether through writing, painting, coding, or
and its creator may share responsibility. other mediums. Closely linked to the rise of
computers, the Information Age is also known as
Should Robots Have Rights? the Digital Age or the New Media Age.
 If robots develop emotions and As humanity evolved, so did the ways we
intelligence, should they have legal rights? create, share, and manage information. No
longer confined to personal records, information
 Similar debates occurred when animals
is now widely disseminated through various
were given rights after proving sentient
channels. However, as information multiplied at
behavior.
an unprecedented rate, managing it became a
challenge. By the late 1960s and early 1970s,
the sheer volume of information became
Ethics of Technology overwhelming. The 1980s saw increasing
concern over this issue, with Richard Wurman
Technology can unite or divide people. Ethics
coining the term Information Anxiety. By the
help regulate its responsible use.
1990s, information had become a key currency
 The focus should be on “What ought to in the business world, where information
be allowed?” rather than just “What managers played a crucial role in organizing and
ought not to be allowed?” leveraging data.

 Transparency in technological Today, information is mass-produced,

advancements is crucial to prevent widely accessible, and sometimes even
misuse. excessive. Despite differing perspectives on its
evolution, one thing remains certain:
information is a powerful tool that continues to
shape our lives. The Information Age will keep
Conclusion
advancing in ways beyond our imagination.
Technology is a powerful tool that shapes human
This era has also led to the convergence of
life, but it must be used responsibly. While it
multiple disciplines, giving rise to emerging
offers convenience and progress, ethical concerns
fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
must be addressed to prevent harm and ensure
Machine Learning, Robotics, Cloud and Edge
fair usage.
Computing, Automation, Blockchain,
Outsourcing, Software Development, and
Communications and Networking. As a result,
cybersecurity and data privacy laws have been
established to safeguard digital identities.

Which of these emerging fields interests

you the most, and why?

Science and Information Age

Just as the Information Age has

transformed workplaces, it has also
revolutionized the scientific community. With the
advent of computers and the internet, vast Figure 5.1 Johannes Gutenberg
amounts of information are now readily
Eventually, these two innovations were
accessible at the click of a button.
combined, significantly accelerating the printing
process and drastically reducing the cost of
producing documents. The invention of the
Experiments that once required
printing press marked the beginning of mass
painstaking data collection and complex
communication, as it provided a fast and
technical processes can now be conducted
efficient way to distribute information. This
digitally using automated experimental
advancement permanently reshaped society,
techniques. The rise of bioinformatics has
challenging political and religious authorities
further enhanced scientific research by
who previously held exclusive access to
integrating computer science and statistical
knowledge. The rapid rise in literacy sparked by
algorithms to store, process, and analyze large
the printing revolution demonstrated the
datasets efficiently (Kantardjieff & Ng Thow
profound social transformation brought about by
Hing, 2012).
the widespread circulation of information.
Additionally, researchers can now easily
share experimental results, collaborate across
borders, and store vast amounts of information
online. However, while technological
advancements continue to outpace our ability to
fully comprehend and maximize their potential,
they also highlight the need for responsible
information management. Proper citation and
recognition of authors and publishers remain
essential in ensuring the integrity and credibility
of scientific work.

Technological World

According to Quinto and Nieva (2019), the

German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg invented
the printing press around 1440 to improve the
manual, slow, and labor-intensive printing Figure 5.2 Gutenberg press
methods of the time. A printing press is a device
that transfers ink from an inked surface onto a The authors added that with the ability to
print medium, such as cloth or paper, by mass-produce books, literature became more
applying pressure. Gutenberg's hand-mold accessible beyond the upper class. Over time,
printing press led to the creation of metal the expansion of trade led to the incorporation
movable type. of calculations into communication. In those
days, individuals who compiled actuarial tables
and worked in engineering played a key role in
these developments. Before modern
computers, calculations were performed
manually by individuals who served as
"computers."

During World War II, the Allies—including

the U.S., Canada, Britain, France, the USSR,
Australia, and others—faced a severe shortage
of human computers needed for military
calculations. As more soldiers were sent to war,
the shortage worsened. To address this, the Figure 5.3 Alan Turing & The Turing Machine
United States developed the Harvard Mark I, a
By the 1970s, the generation that had
general-purpose electromechanical computer
witnessed the rise of computers was often
measuring 50 feet long. This machine could
referred to as having "electronic brains." This
perform calculations in seconds that would have
era saw the introduction of personal computers
taken humans hours (Quinto and Nieva, 2019).
(PCs) to the public. The Homebrew Computer
Meanwhile, Britain urgently needed Club, an early computer hobbyist group,
mathematicians to break the German Navy's regularly met to exchange hardware
Enigma code—an enciphering machine used by components and discuss ways to make
the German armed forces for secure computers more accessible. Many of its
communication. In 1936, English mathematician members went on to become influential
Alan Turing was recruited by the British entrepreneurs, including the founders of Apple
Government Code and Cipher School at Inc.
Bletchley Park to crack the Enigma code. His
code-breaking efforts evolved into an industrial-
scale operation involving 12,000 people working
around the clock.

Additionally, to counter Allied efforts, the

Nazis made Enigma even more complex,
creating approximately 10¹⁰⁰ possible
permutations for each encrypted message. In
response, Turing designed Bombe, an
electromechanical machine that allowed the
British to decode German Enigma transmissions.
His groundbreaking work, along with
contributions from other cryptologists, is
credited with shortening the war by two years Figure 5.4 The Apple I
(Munro, 2012).
In 1976, Steve Wozniak, co-founder of
In his 1937 paper On Computable Apple Inc., created the Apple I, designing its
Numbers, with an Application to the operating system, hardware, and circuit board
Entscheidungsproblem, Alan Turing introduced entirely on his own. His friend Steve Jobs
the concept of a theoretical machine, now suggested selling the Apple I as a fully assembled
known as the Turing machine, which could solve printed circuit board, which marked the beginning
any problem using simple instructions encoded of their journey as the founders of Apple Inc.
on a paper tape. He further demonstrated how
multiple Turing machines could be simulated by
a single Universal Machine, laying the From 1973 onward, social media platforms
groundwork for modern computer science. This evolved from early multi-user chat rooms to a
concept eventually led to the development of wide range of communication tools, including
computers—machines capable of solving instant messaging services (e.g., AOL, Yahoo
problems by executing tasks based on written Messenger, MSN Messenger), bulletin board
programs (DeHaan, 2012). forums, and game-based social networks (e.g.,
Facebook, Friendster, MySpace). Business- reactions. Many online posts and commentaries
oriented networking sites like Xing emerged aim to criticize, offend, embarrass, or even
alongside messaging, video, and voice-calling threaten individuals.
services such as Viber and Skype. The rise of
Such actions carry legal consequences
blogging platforms, image and video hosting
under Philippine law, emphasizing the
sites (e.g., Flickr), dating platforms (e.g.,
importance of understanding the rights of
Tinder), video-sharing services (e.g., YouTube),
individuals against cyberbullying. It is crucial to
and real-time social media aggregators (e.g.,
be aware of these protections and to promote
FriendFeed) further expanded digital interaction.
responsible online behavior.
Additionally, live-streaming services like
Justin.tv and Twitch.tv, along with multimedia- Let’s pause and reflect...
sharing platforms such as Pinterest, Instagram,
Snapchat, Keek, and Vine, transformed online ● What are your thoughts on cyberbullying?
engagement. Question-and-answer platforms ● Have you or someone you know ever been
affected by harmful online posts? When?
like Quora also contributed to the vast exchange
● What steps can be taken to prevent or
of knowledge. Today, social media enables the minimize cyberbullying?
most efficient level of information exchange. ● How can we become responsible users of
social media?

The Emergence of Fake News

Just as truthful news is readily available,

so is fake news—spreading rapidly across both
print and digital media. According to the Pew
Research Center, online news has become more
popular than TV news among people under 30,
while those under 50 get about half of their
news online and the rest from television.

Figure 5.4 Instant messaging apps Fake news spreads easily because more
people are involved in its dissemination. Often,
The Information Age, which began with the it is quicker and more convenient to share
invention of the printing press and progressed information without verifying its accuracy.
through the rise of social media, has Another major factor fueling the spread of fake
significantly shaped human life. These news is confirmation bias—the tendency to
advancements offer both benefits and accept and share information that aligns with
drawbacks, depending on how they are utilized. one’s beliefs, regardless of its truthfulness.

How to Spot Fake News

Fake news spreads as rapidly as a

contagious disease, making it crucial to be
vigilant and informed. Here are some practical
Information Age and Cyberbullying tips from Nagler, C. (2017) of Harvard Division
of Continuing Education to help identify fake
Words hold immense power—they can
news:
build or destroy relationships, inspire or hurt
others. Whether spoken, written, or shared on
social media, our words have a lasting impact
on those who read them. 1. 1. Vet the publisher's credibility.

In today’s digital age, social media plays a Try to consider these questions whenever we
significant role in shaping events. While it keeps see an article that captures our attention.
us informed, it can also provoke strong ✔ Would the publishing site meet the
 academic citation standards?
✔ What is the domain name?
✔ What is the publication's point of view?
✔ Who is the author?
2. Pay attention to quality and timeliness.

✔ Notice spelling errors and dramatic

punctuations from the article. Check if
the story is current or recycled.
3. Check the sources and citations.

✔ How did you find the article?

✔ Who is (or is not) quoted, and what do
they say?
✔ Is the information available on other
sites?
✔ Can you perform reverse researches and
images?

A reliable article is often cited or

referenced on multiple reputable websites.
Using library databases can help verify the
credibility of the information presented.
Additionally, checking cited sources ensures
that the information has been accurately
applied rather than altered to fit the author's
perspective. Images should also be examined
carefully—if they appear edited or manipulated
to support a particular narrative, the article’s
reliability may be questionable.