Writing Sample 2

It is inevitable that as technology develops so traditional culture must be lost. Technology and tradition are incompatible- you cannot have both together.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?

You should write at least 250 words.

It is obvious that the rate of at which traditions have been abandoned is closely linked to the rise of technology. Our traditions are quickly dying as technology takes hold of nearly everything we do. Therefore, I totally agree that technology and tradition re in compatible.

Firstly, technology causes cultural exchange. This makes cultural traditions across the world much less diverse than they were in previous generations. Young people can use objects of modern technology such as television, video and cinema to see what other people around the world are doing, wearing and so on. Modern industry and good transportation make it possible now for these young people to then go and buy the same clothes, foods, furniture and so on at their local department store or over the internet.

Secondly, technology replaces traditions. Many of our traditions are based on ways of doing things which, because of modern technology, are no longer efficient. Traditional weaving of fabrics, for example is no longer a necessary, it is a luxury. Traditional foods are time consuming to prepare at home when we can buy mass produced version much easily and cheaply from the supermarket.

Some people may argue that technology also helps to preserve traditions. Building may be restored by modern machines; television may help to make traditional activities known and understood by many people. However, in my opinion, technology is only capable of restoring artifacts or recording old traditions. It cannot give these traditions new or continued life. It cannot make people use a building in the traditional way, it cannot restore traditional activities to normal daily life.

In conclusion, technology causes us to lose our traditions through cultural exchange via the mass media, and by replacing traditional ways of doing things with cheaper, more efficient method s. Technology and tradition are clearly incompatible.

Marianne Armitate (303 words)