Bullet Train

Image credit: Japaneselifestyle.com

The 500-series Shinkansen Japanese bullet train running between Tokyo and Hakata is one of the fastest trains in the world. It drew its inspiration from owl plumage to reduce air resistance noise and the air piercing nose cone design was inspired by the kingfisher’s beak. Owl has saw-toothed wave feathers; they generate small vortexes in the airflow that then breakup the larger vortexes that produce noise. The shape of kingfisher’s beak is aerodynamic. Scientists observed the aerodynamics in it and designed the front part of that train like the beak of kingfisher bird.

Lotus Paint

Image credit: Treehugger.com

Lotus leaf, due to the presence of wax, does not retain any water or wax on its upper layer. This is called lotus effect. Based on lotus effect a paint named Lotusan is developed by a German Professor Wilhem Barthlott, from the University of Bonn, which is dirt and water repellent. It has self cleaning properties and excellent resistance to weather, chalk and UV rays. It remains clean even for decades.

Shark Suit (Speedo Fast Skin)

Image credit: Speedo.com

Fast Skin Shark suit is designed by Speedo based on the scales of shark. It has been observed that the reason for the ability of shark to swim fast is nothing but the design of its scales. The shark suit is designed this way to help swimmers by Based on this shark suit is designed which helps the swimmers to swim fast by reducing water friction.

Gecko Tape

Image credit: Newscientist.com

Gecko tape is a gum less tape designed by the Manchester University Scientists. This is designed by the inspiration of the Gecko lizard’s ability to climb up walls and walk along ceilings. The Gecko foot has tiny hair-like structures called setae that exhibit van der waals forces.

Mercedes Bionic Concept Car

Image credit: Carbodydesign.com

Mercedes bionic concept car is designed based on the body shape of a boxfish. Boxfish is found in tropical marine habitats. The car has hexagonal shaped body which has less weight and all its parts are also lighter weight. This car can travel 60 km. within eight seconds only. It emits 80% lower nitrogen oxide and consumes 20% lower fuel.

Velcro

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Velcro is the famous brand of the hook-and-loop fasteners that were designed by Swiss Engineer George de Mestral in 1940. He designed it after the observation of how the hooks of the plant burrs stuck in the fur of his dog and his pants. Observation of this under microscope showed him numerous tiny “hooks” that belonged to the plant.

The Eastgate Complex

Image credit: Neatorama.com

The Eastgate Complex located in Harare, Zimbabwe was designed by the Engineers of Arup led by Mick Pearce. This complex is designed with the inspiration from the ventilation design from termite mounds. Termites require their home to remain at an exact temperature of 30.5°C throughout the day even when the temperature ranges from 1°C (during the night) to 40°C (during the day). This complex has natural cooling ventilation process with specially designed hooded windows, variable thickness wall and light colored paints to reduce heat absorption.

Turbine Blades

Image credit: Symscape.com

Flippers of the humpback whales are very efficient in propelling the whales forward despite being so huge. The tubercles of the flippers are the reason for this hydrodynamic efficiency. Biomechanist Frank Fish incorporated this design in Wind Turbine blades and has observed that they produce more energy and less noise at lower speeds compared to their normal smooth edged counterparts.

Smart Fabric

Image credit: Sciencedaily.com

Smart fabric is developed by Britain Researches at the University of Bath’s Centre. This new fabric is developed based on the mechanism used by the pine cones to shed their seeds. The smart fabric does the same thing, opening up when it is warm, and shutting tight when cold.

Cat’s Eye Reflectors

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

After studying the tapetum lucidum, the reflector cells in cat’s eyes that reflect even small amounts of light, Percy Shaw in 1935 designed reflectors that are now being used on roads to mark road margins and lane dividers. The reflectors usually consist two reflector glasses fit into a white rubber dome. This dome is fortified by mounting onto a cast iron holding.
I’m pretty sure that there are many other unexplored designs in nature that would someday be the inspirations for novel products and designs.

Technology has always being a friend to our cultures. There is no better way to define it. According to Postman, in Technopoly, “It is the kind of friend that asks for trust and obedience, which most people inclined to give because its gifts are truly bountiful. But, of course, there is a dark side to this friend (Postman 1993, p.xiii)”. Technology will always be a part of culture and the way one communicates is because of its technology. What it does is to create a culture that is dependent upon its existence. And, if a culture refuses to embrace technology such as the Maasai tribe of East Africa, who deny the use of technology in a literal sense and live according to nature’s means, give the modern world something to criticize. The modern world today views technology as the backbone of living. One cannot live without it. It goes hand in hand with everything humans do. But, if humans understand God, they will have a better grip on technology.

This paper on the Fate of Technology and God will share limited viewpoints. First, it will discuss the use of technology from pristine time to present. How the transformation of technology, the internet and information have affected us. And last, where God is in Technology before it concludes its ideas.

The Use of Technology from Pristine to Present

From the Stone Age to Middle Ages, technology was mainly in the form of tools. Tools were means to solve problems. It aided such an individual in his or her everyday tasks. For instance, after Adam recognized that he and his wife had sinned, they immediately sewed fig leaves in order to cover their nakedness. The ability to create or invent a commodity became instance due to a need. As time went by, tools became very elaborate. We have seen such tools as plough for stilling the ground, windmills, lever, and the construction of a clock just to tell time. Humans continued the race just to discover ways in inventing many different tools. Some of these tools only served a short time while others went from one generation to another. In spite of making tools to aid mankind, they never intended to replace God. Postman suggests that, “Tools did not prevent people from believing in their tradition, in their God, or in their politics (p. 23)”. That statement seems pretty much truthful but it is contrary to what another writer had to say. Schultze, in Habits of the High-Tech Heart, claims that virtue should be at the heart of technology. While Postman is for the physical, Schultze is in favor of the spiritual. He realizes that technology cannot give us the heart that is necessary to serve God.

As the western world gears up with sophisticated tools such as nuclear weaponry, one must remind himself or herself where is this world heading to. With every technological innovation so is its consequence. Man must make adequate research of all possibilities as to whether an idea is a solid idea. Man must first ask how it will be used for God. An invention should not have to be an invention for the sake of making money which most of them turned out to be. Can America stop China from selling nuclear arms? Should America go to war with china because she refuses to stop manufacturing nuclear arms? All of this rhetoric is nothing more than power and who wants to have the ultimate power and control.

The vast amounts of technical devices that have gone down the times are amazing. One of my daughters was rushed to the hospital two weeks ago. She had to have a minor operation. The operation time was only five minutes with the aide of laser techniques. The time was very impressive because it actually took the medical staff more time to set her and the procedure up than the actual operation. The fate was not to trust the operation but to trust God that it would be successful. Yet, upon taking a class in technology and communication, high-tech technology has left an impression on how quickly it took that she was able to go back to work in two days.

The Transformation of Technology

As humans continue to race through the times, they move from basic tools to more complicated uses of technology. Even our processes change and people communicate differently. Transformation has taken place rather than sticking to traditional, a process Postman used that replaces the traditional. He terms this process “Technopoly”. He believes that Technopoly is redefining traditional as man seeks scientific explanation to way of life. People have become educated and constantly are seeking wiser thoughts. They are busy and they are producing and reproducing new and better technological devices. They cannot be stopped unless God intervenes. It is well accepted to be more efficient and productive but not to a point where it destroys how people communicate with God. The new though world believes that humans cannot be trusted. They make mistakes, so to avoid all that errors, it is best to be more scientific.

On the other hand, all these technological innovations still have not given man the time needed to be more virtuous or religious. A person is consumed with more and more technology every day. Such a person is so inundated with material things that he or she is losing sight of the spiritual side of mankind. Our social thoughts have been altered to such degree that we seems not to think what is morally right or wrong any more. The world is affected and every culture is affected. Postman sums it up best when he said, “But it is certain that no culture can flourish without the narratives of transcendent origin and power (p. 172”. He is saying that we can have stability if we understand the meaning to life not just how to survive.

The Internet and Information

In addition to the wave of technology, the twenty-first century has experienced a new way to communicate messages. Messages are communicated through a mediated forum. It is classical theme because information is down graded to bits of mega units that are conveyed through an electronic channel. It does not matter who is at the other end of the channel or where those individuals are located. The culprit in the translation of such data is the Internet. The internet has revolutionized the world. It has done such wonders and has triggered massive amount of information that society cannot keep up with it. It affects society in such a way that the government will have to look at laws on conspiracy acts, legal issues, and more. Another area to observe is how humans behave over this mediated forum. Policing communities or online communities for fear of unwelcomed behaviors will be warranted and it will cost the tax payers. The government of America or other governments will have to spend time studying internet securities.

Interaction on the internet is not the same as what it was a decade ago. In fact, the fate of technology has directed our path from text based information to direct messages. We have seen a growth in mediated chat lines, emails, and discussion boards to name a few. The discussion is not so much on computer technology as to how it works but on human interaction. People have gone to these chat lines or joined these online communities hoping to find a place of peace. These cybernetic organisms may be looking for someone to understand them. The impersonal dialogue does not guarantee the same value as face to face confrontation. No assurance are expressed other than not just for information but to be acknowledged that as living persons and thereby to gain a personal identity (p.118). The bottom line is that the lack of identity cannot be found in the technology but in God.

Where is God in Technology?

Technology could not have existed without God. God gives man the ability to invent and create with the conception to influence the world about Him. If He wanted humans to continue living in a remote society, He would have kept the earth the same as day one. He made it clear when He commanded if you seek Him you will find Him. If one seeks wisdom, surely it will be revealed to him. God is in every mind that develops a new innovation. While some writers may argue that the Almighty is in technology, that notion is incorrect because if He is in technology, humans would begin to totally believe in technology as God. That cannot be the case. The innovation become neutral impersonal entity until it is used. The though is part of Him but the innovation is not God. If one seeks God to the point in what God wants to achieve, He will reveal the physical means so that individual can convey His purpose(s).

For example, had not my daughter had a laser operation, she would have laid up in bed for at least two weeks. A look at such technology and the remarkable difference it had made is nothing more than God telling man He can make a difference in our lives. Charles Kraft, in Christianity and Culture, also states, “God is absolute and infinite yet he has freely chosen to employ human culture and at major points to limits Himself to the capacities of culture in His interaction with people (Kraft, 1979, p.115)”. In fact, technology should draw us closer to God. A quote from a Christian magazine is:

“We are living in exciting, yet challenging times, and while it is physical impossible for me to be everywhere at the same time, the beauty of modern technology in the 21st century is that we are able to utilize it as an effective tool. I am delighted to report, therefore, that as we continue to expand our global presence, we have recently begun airing “Order My Steps” on the International Daystar Network and local cable station…”

Conclusion

The Fate of Technology and God is one to think about. Nothing is wrong with technology. It is the people’s fate one should worry about because people tend to hold on to the physical world rather than the spiritual. Technology has been around since the beginning of the ages. It has reshaped cultures. First, technology has changed from simple basic tools to high-tech sophistications through the ages of pristine to present. It has transformed society in the way the people communicate via internet. It does not matter what Postman feels about technology because it will ever remain and revolve as time goes by. The traditional will always be traditional from generation to generation. What humans must do is to put technology in its perspective and make God the central focus for living. As Christians, technology must be embraced and utilized in the best interest of glorying God. Last, technology cannot exist without God.

Just how loud is ordinary everyday noise?

10 Decibels

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This about the volume of normal breathing. We cannot usually hear this, unless we are up very close to someone.

15 Decibels

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Rustling leaves blowing around in the wind are slightly louder, depending on how many there are.

20 Decibels

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A buzzing mosquito can be very annoying yet the volume of the buzzing is only around twice as loud as breathing.

50 Decibels

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Normal conversation, without raised voices, or shouting is hardly noticed unless we are listening to someone. We don’t really hear other people talking because we are used to it. That’s how we are able to follow one particular conversation in a room of chattering people.

60 Decibels

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Singing birds can sound really loud, especially when the “dawn chorus” wakes you up.

70 Decibels

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A standard vacuum cleaner is quite loud, so it’s no wonder many cats and dogs don’t like the sound.

90 Decibels

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A motorbike travelling along reaches about 90 decibels but someone sitting on one beside the highway and revving it up will makes almost twice that amount of noise.

115 Decibels

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An ambulance, or police siren needs to be loud.

120 Decibels

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The source I consulted gives 120 decibels for a rock concert, but that must depend on the band. Some make very loud noises and others play at a level that is almost painful on the ears.

130 Decibels

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A shot from a shotgun reaches 130 decibels.

180 Decibels

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Cover your ears for this one and wear ear protectors. This kind of volume would permanently deafen you if you didn’t protect yourself.