Charge: T.Nakajima
Jenre: Discussion
Title: Great Inventions of the Century
According to an independent public survey, Americans feel that the invention of the computer, television, and refrigerator were the top technological achievements of the 20th century and most feel that technology has made life more comfortable and has added to the nation's economy.
The survey found that 40 percent of the 1,000 people questioned felt that the computer was the top technological achievement of the century, followed by the television (12%) and refrigerator (12%). Rounding out the top five were medical advances (6%) and the Internet (5%). Other answers ranged from such areas as "UFO technology" to video games.
While most technologies were viewed as positive achievements, some were not. When asked which 20th century technologies people wished were not developed, weapons of mass destruction came in as the top choice (59%), followed by credit cards (10%) and genetic engineering (9%) at a distant second and third.
The survey focused on 20th century technologies, it also asked respondents what they felt would be the most important technological achievements of the next century. More than half (54%) felt that a cure for cancer or AIDS would be the top accomplishment during the 21st century, while a fifth (19%) felt that solving world hunger through advanced agriculture would be the top achievement.
Agenda:
1. What are the top three technological achievements of the 20th century and why do you nominate them?
2. Which country has been the technology leader of the 20th century?
3. What are the 20th century technologies which you wished not developed?
4. What will be the most important technological achievements in the 21st century?
Come and join us at the temple!