Obsolete Technology and E-Waste

Shamel Green
CAS 283 Lab, Section 004
9/8/2014
Obsolete Technology/E-Waste

In our last lab, we touched on two topics: Obselete Technology and E-Waste. Obsolete technology is just what it sounds like: technology that is outdated, or no longer used at all. E-waste is a shorter term for electronic waste, or electronic devices that have been discarded. After discussing and observing the two topics, I noticed connections between the two as well as connections between the topics and my experience.


When asked to create a list of technology that I owned, I searched through many memories. I remembered what it was like when a walk man was a big deal, then a CD player, then a cell phone, then a computer, then a flip phone, then an MP3 player, then a laptop, then and iPod, then and iPhone. Soon enough, reminiscence turned into critiquing; I began to critique the culture of the generation that I grew up in. I lived to see a time where technology went from a trend to a time where having the most updated version of technology has become a necessity. Is our generation too reliant on technology? Also related to the idea that technology has crossed the line from trend to necessity is the fact that it is being updated ever so often. Not only is it necessary to have electronics, but we have to have the latest software and even hardware which means that we are often getting rid of our old technology.


Our last lab brought something to my attention that I never heard of; e-waste. The technology that we no longer use doesn't just disappear, but it is shipped off to another part of the world and it becomes someone else's problem; a HUGE problem. The material used to create our electronic devices is toxic, and often times it can't be recycled. For that reason, when it is shipped off to another country, it builds up and pollutes that are which is harmful for those living there. The fact that this issue even exists reminds me of the criticisms that our generation receives. Are we really too insensitive? Is technology changing society for the worse?