Advances in Technology and Exchange

1. Technology & Globalization

  • Tech Impact: Tech advancements enabled larger populations; large populations require tech.

  • Globalization: Trade and tech increased global connection and economic interdependence.

  • Global Village: World feels smaller due to better telecommunications.

  • Media: Radio (early 1900s) for news, music. Internet (late 1900s) for communication.

  • Travel & Trade: Air travel and shipping containers boosted movement of people/goods.

  • Energy: Oil and nuclear power made transport faster and cheaper.

  • Knowledge: Information-based economies grew in cities.

2. Communication & Transportation

  • Comms Before Internet: TV & radio encouraged long-distance calls.

  • Mobile Tech: Cellphones put media tools in individuals' hands.

  • Social Media: Twitter & Facebook made media accessible.

  • Social Impact: Phone videos of police led to racial profiling inquiries.

  • Arab Spring: Social media played role in protests (2010s).

  • Connectivity: Communication tech enables virtual contact; transport enables physical proximity.

  • Travel Stats: Approx. 2M daily air travelers.

  • Cargo: Planes and giant tankers move shipments 24/7.

3. Green Revolution

  • Goal: Response to hunger in mid-20th century.

  • Innovations: New wheat, rice, grains with higher yields and resistance.

    • Hybrids via crossbreeding.

    • Genetic engineering.

  • Practices: Increased irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides.

  • Land Use: Forests burned for agriculture (e.g., Brazil).

  • Economic Impact: Small farmers struggled with costs, leading to land sales.

  • Job Losses: Mechanized equipment reduced farm labor jobs.

  • Environmental Impact: Chemicals damaged soil; genetic engineering raised concerns about pollinators; loss of old seed varieties.

4. Energy

  • Early 1900s: Coal was ~50% of global energy.

  • Fossil Fuels: Coal, oil, gas increased industrial output but cause pollution.

  • Nuclear Power: Developed from atomic bomb research; generates electricity.

  • Environmental Issues: Fossil fuels cause air pollution and CO2CO_2 emissions.

  • Nuclear Dangers: Accidents and waste storage are hazardous.

  • Solutions: Developing tech to reduce emissions and minimize nuclear harm.

  • Energy Trends: Nuclear plant construction declined post-1980s; renewables (wind, solar) at ~5% of output.

5. Medical Innovations

  • Penicillin: Fleming's discovery (1928) of bacteria-killing substance.

    • First antibiotic.

    • Saved lives in WWII.

    • Warning about resistance.

  • Birth Control Pill: Pincus developed in early 1950s; widespread use in 1960.

    • Reduced fertility rates.

    • Transformed sexual practices and gender roles.

    • 300M+ women use contraception (2018).

  • Vaccines: Widespread distribution post-1900.

    • Eradicated smallpox; made polio/measles rare.

    • Prevent mumps, tetanus, etc.

    • Malaria vaccine in trials (2019).

    • Prevent 3M deaths/year.

    • Potential to save 1.5M more with better coverage.

    • Access challenges in some areas.