Sociology

Answer the Question below
A number of social scientists have discussed the fact that innovations often have unanticipated consequences. Identify and discuss some of the unanticipated consequences of innovations such as: Protestantism, steam engine, money, mass literacy, automobiles.

ANSWER

Unintended Consequences of Innovations

Social scientists have talked of some innovations having unanticipated consequences. The steam engine, for example, seemed like a good idea at first. It was a super innovation that made work easier and brought more money to organizations. The unseen consequence of the invention was the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. The steam engine gave way to poor air quality and poor living conditions. The steam engine also supported businesses that accepted and did not mind polluting the environment. The steam engines also led to the development of child labor. Children were forced to work for long hours and for little pay.

The innovation of money

The innovation of money resulted in the development of social classes. The social classes led to the development of discrimination and poverty among the lower classes. Poverty and discrimination led to the development of crime. Crimes such as robbery and theft developed. The innovators of money did not think that it would cause chaos and disrupt the unity in human society. Money has led to people committing murder and others being tortured. These are some of the things that were not anticipated during its innovation. Every innovation is a double-edged sword. Money has done more good than harm, but it has also done some harm. Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between the good and the bad when it comes to money. Money has also led to bad values such as corruption.

Mass literacy

Mass literacy has led to difficulty in deriving conclusive arguments because every person believes they are right. This has also led to a decrease in the number of opportunities. Mass literacy has somehow reduced the creativity among learned people. For example, in countries in Africa, many people are educated and have undergone university-level education, but the countries are still in poverty. The graduates do not have the creativity required to create wealth. Mass literacy leads to the depreciation of the value of education. Being literate is no longer as valuable as it was before the introduction of mass literacy.

Protestantism

The rise of Protestantism disrupted the unity in the churches. It led to people in one religion warring and fighting against one another while, in reality, they all serve the same God. The discord in churches led to some people leaving the churches. It also opened up to individualism. Individualism might seem like a good thing, but individualism has led to people watching other members of society and not doing anything to help them. It also led to notions such as capitalism. Capitalism is also a double-edged sword. It has its advantages and disadvantages. Capitalism has led to the rich becoming richer and the poor remaining poorer.

Automobiles

Driverless cars are fast and are becoming a reality fast. Top tech companies are working towards developing affordable autonomous vehicles. This innovation comes with its unintended consequences too. With driverless cars comes the loss of jobs and unemployment. The innovation will leave drivers without employment and without a source of income. Hackers will have a field day when it comes to automobiles. A car that is wholly controlled by a computer is prone to attacks. The hackers can exploit the loopholes of the automobile being run solely by computer hardware and software to cause malicious accidents.