Technology

The use of different technologies is being embraced in schools (from what I've seen). We are encouraging children to explore the computers, cameras, phones etc which surround them promoting it as a useful experience which will enhance their learning capabilities and make them open to future developments. This is fine, and something I agree with due to the way the technological world is changing and expanding, but at what cost to the natural world? I do my (little) bit for the environment (recycling, turning lights off when leaving a room etc) and I'm not one to get into lengthy discussions about our carbon footprint or berate people who still receive their bank statements in the post rather than via email. It is fair enough to use less paper when we can do things electronically, but is using all this technology really much better and less damaging? I came across this photo and it had quite a sobering effect. This is what the earth looks like at night. According to the website it is made of a composite of many photos (obviously as we all know that every country doesn't experience night at the same time) and I think it is quite powerful. The image was taken in 2000, I wonder how much of a change the last 7 years has made.

This is the website