Malcolm Gladwell’s article, “The Picture Problem” sheds light on an issue that is often overlooked. At what point does the advancement of technology surpass the ability of humankind. Malcolm Gladwell’s article discussed a few types of photography including mammograms and war related targeting and imaging systems that create highly detailed and technologically advanced photographs. However, the usefulness of such advanced photographic technology is only as good as the person using it. Mammograms produce images that can show different patterns in breasts that a normal examination simply could not. Mammograms show calcium buildups and patterns called “calcifications” that could potentially be cancerous. The examiner then views the x-ray and determines if the buildup is dangerous and needs to be removed, or is benign. The problem is that there is no standardized way of telling if an abnormality is dangerous, therefore, it is up to the examiner to make the decision. In a study, 10 certified radiologists were asked to look at one-hundred-and-fifty mammograms. Not one of the radiologists came up with similar results proving that, even with such advanced technology, it is the knowledge and aptness of the human that is the final determinant. The same scenario During the Gulf War, The United States Air Force used a $4.6 million camera called the LANTIRN that had the capability to take four and a half mile high-resolution infrared photographs of the area below the planes. The Air Force then used this technology to target and destroy Scud missiles that were being fired at Israel from Iraq. At first thought, the technology sounds foolproof until you factor in the human behind such advanced technology. While the machine did what it was supposed to do, displaying objects on the ground with precision and detail, it was then up to the operator to make the choice of whether or not the presented objects were real threats or not.
3 comments:
I like how you addressed how making advancements in technology surpass peoples understanding on how to use it. Really enjoyed your post.
The portion of the article that you included in your post about the numerous radiologists coming up with different conclusions about the same mammogram was for me what really summarized the whole argument. When so much trust is put into these people to come up with the correct results it is disheartening to see what varied impressions they derived from the image. It is truly amazing how we have all of this wonderful technology at our fingertips but it is only as good as the person using it.
I also enjoyed your point on "at what point does the advancement of technology surpass the ability of humankind." I think you are correct in the fact that technology is ever evolving and so powerful, however, it can only be effectively utilized if the person controlling it or calling the shots knows what he or she is doing, or has experience/knowledge. We often look at technology as if it has all the answers, but really technology is just a tool. We have to find the answers ourselves and trust ourselves to make the right choices and/or learn from our mistakes.
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