Author: admin

INTRODUCTION

Science and technology are important tools in man’s attempts to exist, develop and take charge of his environment. Ever since the discovery of science and its application man has consistently made efforts to develop various technologies in order to conquer nature, recreate the world for his simplicity and benefits. Right from the primitive times, man invented bow and arrow, fire, hoes, knives, cutlass and so on, in order to deal with the existential problems nature possesses. Even in the present world, the efforts of man are in totality geared towards the provision of food, clothing and shelter and other basic amenities for his survival.

 

Essentially, man is able to maneuver his way around the cosmos and come up with scientific discoveries because of his natural endowments. Man is naturally endowed with intelligence. He has the mental and natural ability to forge ideas and the capacity to invent. The capacity to invent makes him a creator or an inventor. Thus, the application of science to everyday life manifests in the various inventions of man vis-à-vis the technological developments in human society. Science and technology, therefore, are artificial inventions of man basically put to use for his benefits.

 

MAN, HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

It is pertinent to mention that science does not exist outside the social cultural environment of man. Man is the creator of science and the inventor of technology. In fact, man could be regarded as the highest expression of his environment. The development of science and technology is usually aimed at finding solutions to certain existential problems or difficulties of nature within a particular socio–cultural environment. Although the nature of science suggests an objective application to universal problems and conditions, which is a deductionist approach to science; we cannot, however, deny the fact that it is at first targeted at dealing with particularistic instances within a given environment.

 

Historically, man has played a key role in the development of science and technology. The human society, no doubt, has gone through a series of evolutions, transformations and as well as revolutions at every stage of its development. In the early Greek period, for instance, philosophy, art and science attracted most wide spread attention. Science and art were part of philosophy. What existed however was speculative science. This was the period where Thales lived. He regarded as the first notable philosopher and scientist in the western world. He was the first person to predict an eclipse of the sun, which eventually took place in 585 B.C. His pupil, Anaximander, was the first evolutionist scientist in the western world. He held that all living things originated from the sea and began to develop in the course of time into various forms by means of adaptation to their environment. He held that man evolved from the animals. Anaximander also held that the earth was not flat but like a cylinder in shape and is known to have made the first map in history. Pythagoras the mathematician, Democritus the atomists and Aristotle the greatest scientist in Ancient Greece, all lived at this period.(Omoregbe 2002, 177)

 

Religion and theology took the centre stage and became the focus of interest in the middle ages. Ethics, literature and art characterized the renaissance age. However, at the emergence of Francis Bacon who laid the foundation for inductive model of science, the modern period witnessed the development of empirical and experimental science. This was the period where two notable doctrines emerged namely, the Rene Descartes led Rationalism and the John Locke led Empiricism. But in the contemporary period the centre of interest has progressively shifted to science and technology. (Fadaunsi 1997, 58).

 

It is fundamental to mention that the internal factors and as well as man’s non complacency and his quest for knowledge in each of the periods in the history of society informed the shifts in the emphasis for development.

 

Technology is what we know as applied science. It is the “systematic study of techniques for making and doing things” (Gordon 1942, 20). In a like mind manner, D.P Lauda and R.D Ryan (1971: 53) see technology as:

Man’s effort to cope with his physical environment both that provided by nature and t9hat created by man’s own technological deeds, such as cities and his attempts to subdue or control that environment by means of his imagination and ingenuity in the use of available resources.

 

Technology is the application of the discoveries of science to improve the conditions of human life. It is this application that results in inventions to improve human welfare in various sectors of human life. Disciplines like Engineering, Medicine, Information Technology, Electronics, Architecture, etc. are applied sciences.(Omoregbe 2002, 179).

 

The history of technology extends as far as the ancestors of man. Technology grows and develops hand in hand with science. Both of them compliment each other. The development of various tools when man was at the primitive stage in the history of society is recorded to be the first technological revolution. By the time of the Neanderthal Man, a degree of specialization in tool making had been achieved. The Cro–Magnon homosapiens mastered some mechanical principles in pottery making and by the period of the Neolithic Man, man had fairly advanced in tool making crafts.(Ndubuisi 2002, 132).

 

By the 16th century, Francis Bacon advocated experimental science and suggested that scientists should study the methods of craftsmen. Technology continued to grow with development of iron bridges, steam engines and textile machinery. This period witnessed the complimentary roles of science with technology. For instance, Edison, the inventor of the first practical lighting used the scientific ideas of Faraday and Henry, who had earlier experimented on electricity. Bell, the inventor of the telephone also developed it on the scientific ideas of Helmholtz.(Ndubuisi 2002, 133).

 

ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY

There is no gainsaying the fact that the revolution that takes place in science and technology in human society is by no mean feat. With the aid of technology, man has been able to put to use his ideas of almost a perfect, seamless society with the aid of various gadgets he develops for his benefits. The world today, particularly in this 21st century, experiences economic and political growths as a result of scientific and technological advancements. There are advancements and breakthroughs in the areas of power and energy, transportation, communication, medicine, architecture, agriculture, industry, military technology, computer, space shuttles, biotechnology etc.

 

That advancement in science and technology has contributed to the enhancement of productivity and increased economic growth in human society is an understatement. The fact is evident that science and technology has a large interaction to productions in all sphere of human society. The industrial revolution which occurred in Europe in the 18th century marked the beginning of an economic growth and revolution. This industrial revolution showed a massive social, economic, and technological change, which commenced with the introduction of steam power, fuelled primarily by coal. The technological and economic progresses recorded of the industrial revolution gained momentum with the introduction of steam powered ships, boats and railways. However, at the turn of the 19th century, the revolution spread throughout Western Europe and North America, and eventually impacting the rest of the world. (Wikipedia)

 

The events following the enhanced productivity of labour characterized by the industrial revolution which had spread across the world led to the ‘second industrial revolution’ beginning around 1870. This second industrial revolution gradually grew to include “the chemical industries, petroleum refining and distribution, electrical industries and the automotive industries”.(Ndubuisi 2002, 151). In fact, the increasing availability of economic petroleum products also reduced the usage of coal to the potential for industrialization.

 

It is therefore important to mention that these industrial revolutions, which led to the formation of various giant industrial corporations with often nearly, globalize international operations and interests, paved the way for the successive scientific technological revolution that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s. This scientific and technological revolution is thus evident in some countries, like the disintegrated Soviet Union and the United States of America, visit to the moon during this period. Today, other countries are following suite. In September 2008, China launched her space shuttle and sent a 3 man one week space delegation to the moon.

 

It can be seen from the foregoing that the indelible mark made by the revolutions in science and technology has influenced the way man, of the modern age, perceives the world. The scientific and technological revolution that has taken the world by storm today stemmed from the industrial revolution of the 18th century. Kolawole Ogundowole (2003: 134) notes that:

In the first half of the twentieth century especially during the 194s and 195s there were fundamental shifts in the structure of most sciences and in the scientific activity as a result of major scientific and technical discoveries. This in turn led to an increase interaction of science with technology and production. Precisely, it was during that decade that mankind entered the period of scientific and technological revolution.

 

Today, the scientific and technological revolution is enhancing productivity of labour. It is changing the entire face of social material production. It evidently has a positive change over the nature, conditions and contents of labour as well as the composition of productive forces, the social division of labour, and the sectional and occupational structure of society.

 

In his perception, Dryakhlov (1984: 55) defines scientific and technological revolution as:

The radical qualitative transformation and production forces completed as a result of the merger between the scientific and technological revolutions and the conversion of science into a direct productive force.

 

This implies that as one of the basic principles and laws of dialectics, there exists in human developmental processes, quantitative and qualitative changes. This affirms the materialist assertion that everything develops from the transformation of quantity into quality. Thus, scientific and technological revolution is a special phenomenon connected with the conversion of science into direct productive force of the society, “the radical qualitative transformation of the structure of productive forces and the changes in the character and content of human labour”. (Ogundowole 2003, 138).

 

With the evolution and development of science and technology, it has become evident that this revolution has increased production and consumption, particularly in the developed countries of the world, beyond all expectations of the past. It is thus possible that poverty, hunger, and even unemployment on a large scale would be a phase of history. This is why V.G Afanasiev (2003: 139) notes that:

Science is the generator of ideas: technology is their material, substantive embodiment; while production is the area where the functioning of technology occurs, where people use scientific and technological achievements to obtain their necessary material wealth.

 

At this juncture, it is pertinent to mention that the rate of development of science and technology and its startling achievements in almost every sphere of human life, particularly as it enhances productivity in human society, is not without its side effects. Karl Marx was one of those who pointed it the evil inherent in the industrialization process. Marx was not, however, against the development of technology. But Marx believed that the industrialization process was the evil in the dialectical progression of feudal economic modes, which led to the full development of capitalism. Marx admitted that the industrialization of the society occurred, but it only led to the polarization of society into two main classes. Marx did not deny this industrialization, but was annoyed at the exploitation that existed between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. According to Marx (1972: 183):

Industrialization engenders the polarization of societies into two classes, the bourgeois those who own the means of production, i.e. the factories and the land, and the much larger proletarian working class who actually perform the labour necessary to extract something valuable from the means of production.

 

As a direct effect of the scientific technological revolution, Marx opined that rapid advancements in technology left many skilled workers unemployed, as one agricultural and manufacturing task after another was mechanized. Again, Marx pointed out that there were flights of millions of unemployed people from rural areas or small towns to the large cities as a result of the search for white collars jobs. Thus, there was the development of large urban population centers, which actually led to unprecedented conditions of poverty in the slums that housed workers for the new factories. At the same time, the bourgeoisie class, at only a small fraction compared to the proletariat’s size became exceedingly wealthy.

As a solution to this situation of unequal distribution of wealth and sheer exploitation of the capitalist system, Marx asserted that the dialectical progression, itself, is a necessary precursor to the development of socialism and eventually communism. Marx (1972: 209) believed that:

The industrial proletariat will eventually develop class consciousness and revolt against the bourgeoisie, leading to a more egalitarian socialist and eventually communist state where the workers themselves own the means of industrial production.

 

Marx may not be right with his belief that capitalism, which developed as a result of the industrialized technological advancements, would collapse and give way to socialism and eventual communism. The reality in our world today shows that capitalism, as against socialism, strives and technology is advancing. But events in recent time show that advancement in technology has not solved most of the existential problems in our world. Advancements in food/agricultural technology, for instance, have not halted the shortage of food. Taken that famine is prevalent in most developing countries, citizens of the technological advanced countries are also crying fowl with the high cost of food items in their society. In fact the United Nations Organizations, early in the year 2008, announced that the entire world was going through a huge food crisis.

 

In the same vein, advancements and revolution in science and technology did not stop the economic recession that occurred in the United States of America in 2008. Despite its enhancements of productivity, scientific and technological revolution did not stop this economic recession in the U.S which led to the loss of over 800 thousand jobs between January and September, 2008. The 700 billion dollars economic bail out plan sent by the erstwhile U.S president Bush and approved by the legislature in October 2008 remains to be seen in helping the economic turn around of the country. Even the stimulus plan by the current US president Obama has not made significant contribution to the US economy.

 

Similarly, the revolution in science and technology has not stopped the death of a number of little children in China over the melamine contamination of the baby milk and other diary products. Hence, despite its potentials in enhancing productivity, its effects on labour, human life, job loss, could sometime be devastating.

 

CONCLUSION

We cannot deny the good that the advancements in science and technology have done to man in virtually every aspect of his life. We cannot also rule out the fact that man is the instrument of change in the scientific technological revolution. In order words, science and technological developments cannot be made possible without man being at the centre of its creation and inventions. This makes B.M Kedrov and S. Shukhardin (2003: 139) consider that “scientific and technological revolution is an integral phenomenon encompassing the whole ‘man–science–production’ system”.

 

We must however emphasize that science and technology is like a double–edge sword. It has both positive and negative sides. While its success has tremendously improved the quality of human life, its negative side is highly devastating to human life.

 

Man faces serious danger of the destructive side of technology in the areas of air pollution, pollution of seas and rivers, the depletion of the ozone layer, toxic waste, etc. The destructive effects of technology on mankind could also be seen in the areas of the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction, in particular the manufacture of chemical weapons, atomic bombs, biological and nuclear weapons.(Omoregbe 2002, 181).

 

The history of modern world has shown that powerful countries that have developed these weapons of mass destruction are usually tempted to use it on weaker countries. The atomic weapon of mass destruction used by the United States of America, during the Second World War, over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan is still fresh in our memory. This is why presumably most other countries, like Iran, Korean, India etc., are developing nuclear weapons for themselves in order to protect themselves and wade off the threat of attack.

There are various other threats that the advancements and revolution in science and technology pose to mankind, but these destructive elements of science and technology are not enough excuses to deny the obvious that almost everybody anywhere in the world has benefited positively from it. It has improved man’s condition of life by making the necessities of life, like food; shelter; clothing; transportation; communication; health; etc., more easily available.

 

It is therefore our position that the positive elements that can be derived from the science and technology are of great importance to man. Man must therefore ensure that science and technology must be to his service and oriented towards human affairs. Man must avoid the wrong usage of technology as this may lead to his self destruction. The wrong usage of science and technology poses more serious threats to world peace which man has been trying to attain since the beginning of the world.

 

 REFERENCES

Afanasiev V,G, quoted from Kolawole Ogundowole (2003), Nature of Man: 

                               History and Philosophy of Science in 10 Modules, Lagos,

                               Correct Counsels Limited.

Dryakhlov N.,(1984), The Scientific and Technological Revolution: Its Role in

                               Today’s World, Moscow, Progress Publishers.

Fadaunsi Ayo, (1997), Science and Technology as Promises and Threats to

                               Societies” in The Nigerian Journal of Philosophy,

                               Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos.

Gordon G., (1942), What Happened in History, London, Oxford University Press.

Kedrov B.M and Shukhardin S. quoted from Kolawole Ogundowole (2003), 

                             Nature of Man: History and Philosophy of Science in 10   

                             Modules, Lagos, Correct Counsels Limited.

Lauda, D.P and Ryan, R.D, (1971), Advancing Technology, Iowa, W.M.C. Brown

                              Company Pub,ishers.

Marx Karl, (1972), Economic, Class and Social Revolution, London, Nelson

                              Publishers.

Ndubuisi Friday,(2002),  “The Rise and Development of the Various Areas of

                              Technology” in Kolawole Ogundowole (ed),  Man, History

                              and Philosophy of Science: A Compendium of Readings,

                               Lagos, Obaroh and Ogbinaka Publihers Limited.

Omoregbe Joseph, (2002),  “Science and Technology in the Service of Man” in

                               Kolawole Ogundowole (ed),  Man, Historyn and

                               Philosophy of Science: A Compendium of Readings,

                               Lagos, Obaroh and Ogbinaka Publihers Limited.

Wikipedia, “Industrial Revolution”, http.www.thefreeencyclopedia.htp

 

 

Once you downloaded an iPod Movie from iPod Lounge you will now be able to sync these ipod movies to your iPod, iPhone or iPod Touch using iTunes.

The recommended way to transfer an iPod movie to your iPod, iPod Touch or iPhone is to Add the File to your Library using iTunes 9:

Select File in the iTunes Source list (the top navigation menu – see diagram below).
Choose File > Add File to Library (or press Ctrl+O).
Select the iPod Movie that you downloaded from iPod Lounge and click Open.
On Windows XP, the movie file should be located:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop
On Windows VISTA and WINDOWS 7, the movie file should be located:
C:/Users/[username]/Desktop (example: C:/Users/John/Desktop)

Now you should see the iPod movies in your iTunes window (see diagram below)
For this example we are going to add the ipod movie Ninja Assassin available at iPod-Lounge.

Connect to your iPod to your computer using its USB 2.0 cable.
Next click on your iPod, iPod Touch or iPhone icon on located on the left menu tree. What you see on your iTunes window is all the files and applications that you currently have installed on your device as well as all the files that are on your computer that can be synced with your device. The first screen you will see after you click on your ipod name is the summary screen (see diagram below)

You can navigate by choosing one of the tabs on the top menu bar

Click on the Movies Tab and you will see all of the movies available in your iTunes (including the ipod movie we added in steps 1 thru 3 above)
The movies you already have installed on your iPod, iPhone or iPod Touch will have a check mark next to them. To remove an ipod movie from your iPod, iPhone or iPod Touch simply uncheck the box next to the movie thumbnail then click the sync button. Not to worry, the movie will not be deleted from your computer, just your ipod. The movie will remain in your iTunes Library Folder.

You will not need to sync the ipod movie you just added (Ninja Assassin) to your iPod, iPhone or iPod Touch by checking the box next to the movie title (see diagram below)

After you check the movies that you want to sync you need to click the Apply button at the bottom right of your iTunes window (see below)

Once you check all the movies that you want to add to your iPod, iPhone or iPod Touch and you clicked the Apply button as shown above, just click the Sync button at the bottom right of your iTunes window like shown below

You can now disconnect your iPod, iPhone or iPod Touch from your computer and enjoy watching the ipod movies that you just purchased from http://www.iPod-Lounge.com

The first thing to understand about Satellite TV software packages is many of them include the merchant’s specially designed, preloaded, hi-tech Satellite media player. You know the ones merchants claim they poured in $100,000s to develop. Well most of them are only compatible to Windows-based and Vista computers and very few Satellite TV for MACs. The reason for this is they are not standalone software therefore they rely heavily on free independent licensed software that also contains very important codecs. What this says is the latter is needed for most Satellite media players to work.

Anyone can download/install the free Windows software (plugins) themselves which includes the Microsoft .Net Framework, WMP (Windows Media Player) and Realplayer to name a few. The free media players just mentioned all have special codecs needed to play video and audio media files or better known as movies, music videos, etc. Therefore, this explains why many of the top Satellite TV software and most software on the market today don’t offer Satellite TV MAC software.

To do so would mean investing more money and one must take into consideration when Microsoft developed their WMP for MAC users, it failed and was taken off the market.

So what can wannabe Internet TV MAC users do to enjoy the best of free Internet media. There are some Internet media websites that offer 100s if not 1000s of free media TV for MACs also. But if the goal is to find an all-in-one platform that makes watching Internet media easier, quicker to access and more organized, as well as lowers the learning curve when setting up a computer Internet TV, then there are two basic options that can accomplish this. However, there is another option that will allow MAC users to download/install any Windows software including Satellite TV software (to be discussed later).

As for Satellite TV software, few packages offer more flexibility and compatibility, whereas MAC users can benefit. On the other hand, if downloading software is not preferred, then live feeds networks offer a different platform. This too will offer more flexibility and compatibility. Whether or not MAC users will experience any limitations or minor issues is not known but there are some top products out there that will suffice.

On the other hand, MAC users may want to consider a third option which may be the best one yet. If a Satellite TV software happens to be a top choice but not MAC compatible, perhaps installing a virtualization software to use Windows software is the best way to go. Any Windows software including PC Satellite Software TV can be downloaded and installed on a desktop/laptop MAC OS computer with full use. Windows and MAC OS are now able to work together with the MAC having full control. This platform simply offers another road to TV for MACs

Many top Satellite TV software packages have a 90%(plus/minus) success rate. The other 10%(plus/minus) stems from rare issues occurring when the merchant’s Satellite media player doesn’t work on a computer initially, and somehow tech support couldn’t resolve the issue for some reason. Therefore, one must keep in mind that any computer whether old or new with a Windows-based, Vista, MAC, or Linux operating system–the hardware/software may prevent a Satellite TV player from working initially. This means the pre-installed hardware and software that either came with the computer when purchased, or was installed by the user. This is nothing more than a software-to-computer compatibility issue, whereas a computer’s communication, anti-virus, or some other software prohibits the player from working initially or properly.

Therefore, it is highly suggested whichever platform is considered for a TV Macintosh computer system–follow the minimum system requirements as well as close any and all running applications prior to downloading/installing a Satellite TV software or watching Internet media from a live feeds network.

Satellite TV MAC users can enjoy the best of Internet media with anyone of the options previously mentioned to gain more television savings, variety, freedom, flexibility, and mobility. Perhaps someday more software will become available and compatible to MAC OS. As for the available choices involving a short supply of top software and live feeds netsworks, suddenly they become more abundant when adding virtualization software to the mix.

Apple is better known for its iPods. Yes, with Apple iPods, you can take your entertainment channel everywhere with you; whether you are walking on the road, travelling, hiking, or in gym or anywhere else. IPods are the small portable media players which can hold thousands of music files for you. Launched on October 23, 2001, Apple iPods brought a revolution in the way music is enjoyed. Start from its launch, this gadget was seen as the unique product and it still is.

You can tuck an iPod anywhere on your shirt collar, its sleeve, or your bag without even feeling its bulge. You can run with your iPod, you can exercise in the gym or work in office without disturbing others. An iPod is aMP4 Player and it is the proprietary format for the Apple products. Music to be played on iPod should have MP4 format. It cannot play MP3 files.

There are different variants of iPod including Apple iPod Classic, iPOd Touch, iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle.

Apple iPod Classic

Earlier known as iPod only, it was named as iPod Classic only after introduction of sixth generation iPod Classic. There is 1.8 inch hard drive provided in these gadgets to store the files. These days the front plat of iPods is made from anodized aluminum instead of polycarbonate plastic. It is less prone to scratches. It is available in 80 GB and 160 GB models and two colors, black and classic silver.

Apple iPod Touch

It is one of the most popular iPod models owing to its features like touch screen, YouTube, safari, Wi-Fi music store and GPS. It is very user-friendly. IPod Touch is designed in different models including 8GB, 16GB, 32 GB and 64 GB. These models offer applications like Music, Video and photos. It is like minim iPod Classic.

Apple iPod Nano

Till date, Apple iPod Nano is the most advanced iPod. It outsmarts others in terms of advanced engineering, technology, design and portability. This mid-ranged iPod has been updated thrice since its introduction. It works on a flash memory. Apart from other functions like storing music, videos and photos, this iPod stores games also including Music Quiz, Solitaire, Brick and Parachute.

Apple iPod Shuffle Introduced in year 2005, it is a digital audio player. IPod Shuffle is the smallest device from Apple. It also uses flash memory like iPod Nano.

When you buy an iPod, you will get along with battery, earphones and their pouch, iTunes software CD, a docking station and the instruction manual. For more detail on Apple Head Phones log on to:http://www.naaptol.com

When it comes to exclusive programming, it seems as though satellite has taken yet another leap ahead of cable.  Satellite is already leading the industry in HD programming, sports, and customer satisfaction, but after a quick rundown of the exclusive features offered by both providers, satellite is once more the clear victor.  Satellite offers tons of exclusive gadgets, channels, and features that you simply can’t find with cable.

Satellite offers a wide array of gadgets and technologies that cable simply can’t.  For starters, the Sat-Go is a portable device that you can install in your RV or car or even take on the road.  The portable receiver works anywhere with a line of sight to the sky, ensuring you can watch your favorite show or the big game even if you are camping.

Another innovative offering from satellite is the ability to program your DVR from anywhere you have Internet access.  You can use your computer, a friend’s laptop, or even your mobile phone to ensure that you don’t miss a second of your favorite show.  With satellite, you can always ensure that you get a chance to see what you want when you want to see it.

America’s top rated satellite company is also the only place where customers can currently receive an exciting monthly magazine that features celebrity interviews, show information, and a complete programming guide.  The magazine features reviews from one of the leading critics in the industry, helping customers to better understand why a movie may be successful or unsuccessful based on an insider’s point of view.

Gadgets and extras aren’t the only exclusives offered by satellite however, and there is a great deal of exclusive programming available to customers.  Whether you want an interactive channel that offers an array of games you can play with your remote or the ability to see lotto numbers, weather forecasts, and horoscopes at the touch of a button, you can find it with satellite.  You can even set up your telephone’s called identification display to show you right on your TV screen who is calling.

Satellite offers numerous exclusive sports packages, including the top football, basketball, racing, and soccer packages in the nation.  Satellite has the leading edge in exclusive sports and offers an array of packages in HD quality.  If you don’t want to miss a moment of the action, satellite is the way to go.
Satellite television offers many exclusive channels that provide movie reviews, live entertainment, and shows that you cannot see anywhere else.  It also offers a wide array of music channels.  If you are looking for programming that you simply can’t see anywhere else, satellite is definitely the best choice for you.

At the end of the day, satellite is simply winning the television race.  No matter what criterion you choose, you will quickly see that satellite offers you the most options.  Whether you are seeking exclusive content, the best HD, the most sports, or simply a better value and better service, satellite is simply the best choice you can make.