hum 101

One of the most influential and controversial technologies to impact America’s culture is the television. Unlike most modern day technologies the television was no invented by a single person but a byproduct of competing technologies. The first television was based on a scanning disk that was invented in 1884. This design was unable to provide a clear live action image. This technology would not become available until 1921 when two competing scientist developed two separate yet similar breakthrough in television technology that is still used today. At this time the television was unable to become popular because of the world wars but would eventually become mainstream during the 1950s. Interestingly enough at this time the obesity rate in the United States also begun to rise becoming a modern day epidemic. Obesity can lead to a number of health problems such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, orthopedic complications, and sleep apnea to name a few. The television has also been blamed for the ever decreasing morality of today’s society; a the programs and games are looking for the ever increasing shock value. Although these may be true, televisions have plenty of other good uses for them. Televisions can be used as an aid for education, to disseminate current events, improve communication, security purposes; a safe way to view a scene that’s a human could not, theater, and propaganda which can be either good or bad depending on its uses. The television has had both a positive and negative impact on our culture but as it is with anything too much of a good thing isn’t and needs to be used in moderation.