Technology for Good

In our reading this week on the Zimbabwe Pump, we analyzed the social implications of technology that is made directly for the purpose of improving the quality of life rather than profit. The discussion of the metal Coltan came up in regards to how it is used to create our iPhones and is mined by children without any safety and labor regulations. Coltan is used to make capacitors in iPhones and many other smart devices. It is mined in Africa. However, it is a very dangerous job and there have been an increasing number of reports of children who have worked in these underground tunnels without regulation. It is ironic that the people contributing to the creation of our phones that increase the quality of our life greatly, do not feel all of the benefits and are exploited.

Following the format of the Zimbabwe Pump, it would be beneficial if it were possible to invest in technology that would extract this rare metal. By investing in this kind of model, the people can still provide this metal and have ownership and create a business out of it. In this way, the presence of this rare metal in combination with extraction technology could empower these people instead of exploiting them. In the reading, the Zimbabwe Pump was a community effort, and it made people feel that they had ownership and responsibility over it. If we try to produce this kind of technology, which aims to empower, we can resolve issues surrounding inequality and the exploitation of third-world countries and their resources.

Inherently, technology serves to improve the life of others and is always advancing. However, we must still be conscious and ensure that technology does not come at the expense of other people and their livelihood.