Course: GE STS – Science, Technology, and Schedule: T Th 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Society Class Group: Group 32

Professor: Ms. Estherlina Ginete Date: September 22, 2022
Name: Maria Judith A. Catubig

PERFORMANCE TASK
A. Choose at least one significant invention of the following periods and discuss the
reason for it being invented.
1. Ancient Times
An abacus is a device composed of
beads that slide along rods, which fit
into a frame. In ancient times, the
abacus was used as a calculator; it
aided in performing mathematical
processes like counting, addition,
subtraction, and multiplication.
Roman Abacus from St. Martin-de-Corléans Cemetery, Aosta, Italy.
Aosta Archeological Museum, 1st century AD. Photo credit Marc
Cartwright. www.ancient.eu

2. Middle Ages

AD 1000 – 1300

Before the Norman conquest of England, the counting

board was as simple as a flat sand surface with inscribed
lines using small stones or pebbles as counters. As a
table, they were simply repurposed and remained in use
until they were discarded.
Source: https://jamesbshannon.com/2014/12/16/the-medieval-calculator/

1Rare surviving medieval counting table now in the

Musee de l’Oeuvre Notre Dame in Strasbourg.

3. Modern Times

1957-Present
An electronic calculator is typically a portable electronic device used to
perform calculations, ranging from basic arithmetic to complex
mathematics.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculator
B. Effects of Contemporary Technologies as seen in the movie, ‘Ready Player One’.
The movie is set in 2045 when the planet is amidst chaos and on the edge of collapse,
and OASIS is their only way to escape reality. The OASIS is a massive virtual reality universe
created by eccentric James Halliday, wherein he built a contest open for all players just before
he died. Whoever wins this contest has a promised fortune; Wade Watts is the first person to
find the easter egg, and throughout the competition, he finds himself being a heroic man.
Harmful effects of Contemporary Technologies on society and culture
1. It makes people greedy.
Hunger for power and wealth will drive anyone mad, like the main antagonist in
the movie Nolan Sorrento. He would use dirty tricks to take over the most extensive VR
simulation. Society would crumble if its citizens were selfish and would create a culture of
injustice.
2. People can't accept reality.
In the movie, James Halliday has several regrets in his life that led him to hate his
reality. He then created an artificial world that people love very much. However, this
virtual reality (VR) made people stop solving the real world's problems. Instead, they
would tend to their artificial lives rather than live meaningfully in the real world.
Concerning this is the growing issue of social media, where some netizens would share
unrealistic views of reality with society.
3. Technology over-reliance
Enjoying and finding comfort in the things we love isn't wrong. What makes it
wrong is when we make these things our idols. Another application is that people should
be able to survive with enough technological intervention; if not, then simple tasks will be
challenging for us without technology.

Good effects of Contemporary Technologies on society and culture

1. Promotes a sense of belongingness
VR, or any technological platform, can also bring out genuine relationships, just
like how Wade Watts found friendship. People who use digital media are better able to
establish a sense of community and communicate with others, thus improving societal
and cultural relationships.
2. Bring a bright future.
VR could bring a future that may even be too incredible to imagine today. It will
enhance our lifestyle, broaden our thinking, and solve reversible world issues. More
meaningful technological innovations will create an intelligent society and reduce cultural
gaps.

This reality of technological advancements will surely come. It is our actions that will
determine our relationship with technology.