¶ … Technology on Society The use of modern communications technology is widely considered to be positive, reducing barriers to communication and facilitating new powerful forms. St. Amant (2002) argues the counterpoint, that computer-mediated communication "amplifies cultural rhetorical differences, and there should be greater examination of potential conflict. Ma (1996) notes that computer-mediated communication between Asian and North American college students offers tremendous promise, with respect to breaking down barriers that exist in face-of-face communication. He notes that the increase in communication between these groups allows them to learn about each other's communication styles, and adapt their listening, reading and writing habits to suit their audience, thereby fostering a higher degree of communication between the two groups.

Adair and Barker (2013) argue that the use of smartphones and other similar technologies among young children is detrimental in a number of ways. In particular, they argue that family relationships suffer in an age when children engage more with their devices than with their parents and siblings. Leroy and De Leo (2008) note, for example, the value of computers in mediating communication with children who on are the autism spectrum. If nothing else, this shows that not all computer...

At the heart of this argument is that crop growing for ethanol production reduces land available for food crops for humans. On balance, too much arable land used for producing things that do not feed people is a negative, in this argument. Balat and Balat (2009) argue the counterpoint with respect to this technology. They note that petroleum fuels have strongly negative characteristics, and that ethanol production displaces the use of fossil fuels, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Nuclear power is especially controversial. While most science journals are focusing on identifying problems and finding solutions, there is considerable opposition to the use of nuclear power among the public. Visschers, Keller and Siegrist (2011) discuss some of the roots of this opposition. They note that members of the general public will never understand the technology and science, so they form their opinions based on other factors such as their perception of the risks and benefits, social trust and the way that they weight climate benefits and energy security. Siegrist and Cvetkovich (2000) note that building social…