Discussion : Evaluating the effects of the new technologies (Modern Times)

Modern Times 1936 - Charlie Chaplin (dir.)

1) What are the benefits of the new technologies (industrial machinery, feeding machine, closed circuit cameras) shown in the film? Who gains from these technologies?

For the whole production process, the use of these advanced technologies helps us to increase productivity. Since labour force is replaced by some  productive machinery which can create a more efficient production process . It is known that the owner can makes good use of the machinery which is more stable and easier to handle. The employer can maximize his profit by replacing the traditional labour force  with the new machinery . For the workers, their  works become simple and easy, they can easy to handle their works as the whole production process is divided into some small processes.It may not need any high qualified skill to handle thses works.


2) What is the effect of these technologies on the main character’s life/mood/body?

There are some negative effects towards the main character .For example, he faces mental illness as the working environment is stressful( he cannot stop working,he cannot control his body). Also, he lose his job at the end of the film since the position of the workers is replaced by the machinery.The workers are only trained to be skillful on some simple and easy works, they lack special ability to handle the others works. Thus, these unemplyed people may face life difficultities and hard to sustain their life since they only rely on the factory owners to provide they with jobs. Also, he works under the stressful conditon. The workers always monitor by the employer. Any mistakes are forbidden. So, this new production mode affect both mental and physical condition of the workers.


3)What effects does using computers and the internet have on your life/mood/body?

The use of new technologies helps us to work efficiently. For example, we can find updated information through the internet instead of  searching books in the library.Also, it is easy for us to use internet to contact with our friends and family like msn, facebook. Moreover, we can share our thoughts to the others through the internet, for example, we can set up some blogs to share our hobbies to the others. However, the overuse of computer may brings negative effects to our health.We may feel tired all the time .Also, the light from the computer screen will harm our eyes.