"Deception Point" by Dan Brown

Deception Point is a typical Dan Brown novel, meaning it is written in a great rhythm, it is unpredictable, it has many sudden twists and it is easily imagined as a blockbuster movie. The story begins with NASA finding an astonishingly rare object under the Milne Ice Shelf which is located in the Arctic Circle. It couldn’t have come in a better time since NASA has had so many flops recently and they are desperately in need of success. This find also helps the President of the United States of America since NASA plays a big part in his political campaign, as he is running for his second mandate. Zach Henrey, the President, finances NASA generously as he believes they tie the US in pride, but because of their many recent failures Senator Sedgwick Sexton, his rival, has made quite a stand against NASA funding, causing a drop in points for the President. Wisely, Zach asks for Rachel Sexton, the daughter of Senator Sedgwick, who works for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) as the White House intelligence analyst. Rachel accepts because she respects the President and despises her father. Her trip takes her to the Milne Ice Shelf to prove the authenticity of the find, where she meets Michael Tolland, a famous scientist. After analyzing all the facts she is quite shocked and impressed, but then Michael and Rachel uncover evidence of scientific trickery. As they want to reveal this highly controversial information, they realize it is too late since they come under attack from a Delta Force Team. In a series of extraordinary and suspenseful events, Rachel and Tolland try to survive and get the information out to the world. The book ends with a happy ending and romance between Rachel and Tolland, just like a Hollywood movie should.

Technology Summary

“Technology is a broad concept that deals with a species' usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt to its environment.” In today’s world when people think of technology, mostly they mean computers, airplanes, cars, cell phones, and television. Technology is also known for its role as the carrier of information, which is its most important aspect in modern times. If one could describe the 20th century in a couple of words it would be called the century of technology. Absolutely nothing in the 20th century remained the same as it was in the 19th. In no other century did things change with such rapidity and with such lasting impact. The most important effect on human behavior and culture came from technologies which were related to media, i.e. electronic and informational technologies. Thanks to them, the world has become a global village with all the drawbacks and advantages of such change. Instead of people controlling technology, recently it has been the other way around to the extent that we as a species are becoming too dependent, too weak, too limited, because we rely too much on technology. All technology was invented to give people more freedom, time and dependence; but as time shows it is just the opposite - in a way we have become addicted to technology.

World War 1 and 2

World War 1 was a breakthrough in warfare as technology was used on a large scale for the first time in the history of mankind. It started the arms race as many new weapons were designed, such as: airplanes, artillery, machine guns, tanks, poisonous gas, land mines and many others. One could hardly find a more horrifying example of the misuse of technological advancements. Instead of being employed for the benefit of the human race, technology allowed for the Great War to occur. Only 30 years before such a thing as a world war would not be possible. 20 million casualties are grim proof of how technology could worsen and jeopardize human existence. Unfortunately, World War 1 was soon overshadowed by World War 2, in which the ultimate technological event occurred: the A-bombs were thrown on Hiroshima and Naggasaki. In an instant 199,000 people died, and many more died later due to radiation. Therefore, we can call the 20^th century the century of war, instead of the century of technology, which really imposes the question: is the human race mature enough to handle inventions of their own scientists?

Space Technology

Some of the greatest moments in the history of humankind have happened thanks to technology. One of those unforgettable events was NASA’s mission Apollo 11, which took off on July 16th 1969 and landed on the moon on July 20th 1969. As Neil Armstrong’s stated, it really was, “One small step for man, but a giant step for mankind.” This is a perfect example of how technology could be used for noble causes. Since that landing, our technological advance shows no signs of stopping and we have made many discoveries but none with such importance as the Lunar Landing of 1969, which unified the world in a mutual feeling of dignity for being a member of a race which was able to leave the mother planet. Unfortunately, such endeavors occur rarely and technological prosperity is mainly focused on creating a profit, therefore many vital problems such as cancer, aids, poverty, famine, pollution and global warming are still unresolved although it’s obvious that we do have resources and scientists who could solve them, but money is utilized for wrong reasons. The question is: what is technology good for if it’s not used for humane causes?

Lunar Landing 1969

Media

The most influential aspect of technology in the 20th century is the field of media, including: television, movies, newspapers, and above all, internet. Only 20 years ago it would be impossible to imagine that a person would be able to connect to the world with just one click. Even the most educated and most visionary minds were not prepared for possibilities and influence of internet; the internet surprised even its own creators. Today it is the most influential media on planet Earth, at least for teenagers. What makes the internet so unique to all other media’s is its interactivity. Informational technologies provide the functioning of the internet in a way that its average consumer does not even comprehend. The most popular website on the internet is Facebook which best illustrates the impact of technology on the life of an average internet addict. Complete social lives’ of hundreds of thousands of people exist only in the virtual reality of Facebook. Who could ever predict such influence of technology on human life? Love it or hate it, the internet will shape our world for the 21st century.