Topic 4
Health and Ergonomic Issues Created by Computers by Ken Moyer
A lot of health issues and ergonomic issues are created by the use of computers. This essay will mention the many social issues.
The design of the keyboard and the mouse puts enormous pressure on your arms. To use the keyboard and the mouse, you have to turn your arm 90 degrees, which is a natural positioning of the arm. But, then you have to turn your wrist 90 degrees. It is very unnatural to turn your wrist 90 degrees and to keep that position for hours. A lot of people get arm problems from intense usage of computers. But 20 years ago, some organization created a mouse in which you could keep your arm straight and still do all of the present functions. This mouse creates very little pressure to the arm. The social issue is why the society doesn’t use this new technology instead of the old mouse which creates a lot of health problems.
Back aches can be caused by bad posture. When using the computer, people usually have a fixed posture. This posture creates a lot of pressure on the back. A solution has been created though. If people sat on bouncing balls, then the user will have to adjust their position once in a while. This adjustment eases the pressure. But, as you know most companies don’t use bouncing balls. People could also take a walk once in a while. The social issue is why doesn’t the society try to solve this problem.
The use of computers also create visual problems. When using the computer, the muscles of the eyes are held constantly because the vision doesn’t change. This creates pressure on the muscles, which cause visual problems. The eyes are supposed to look at something different every now and then to move your eye muscles. Experiments have proved that the eye should be leveled with the top of the screen. This lets the user gaze into space when thinking. But most eyes are leveled with the middle of the screen. It is easy to adjust the desks, chairs, or screens to solve this problem. The social issue is why the society doesn’t try to solve this health issue.
Electromagnetic radiation is constantly being exposed to you while you are using your computer Electromagnetic radiations are invisible lines of forces. The ones that are created by your computer can distort an electron of an atom. This can cause severe health problems like: lower growth rates of tissues, birth defects, increase probability of cancer, interference in the cell processes, alters neurological functions, alters neurohormone productions, affects the pineal glands, and finally influences the creation of dopamine, which later on affects the immune system. As you just read, radiation creates a lot of health problems. These are the health problems humans are aware of. I’m sure there are a lot of health problems that we humans just don’t know about. There is technology that lowers the emission of radiation, but not all computers use this technology. This is probably due to the cost of the technology. But, the society should protect people from radiation because a lot of money will become necessary to cure all of these health problems. In the long run, people live longer and money is going to be saved. The social issue is why doesn’t society try to solve this problem when they have the ability to do so.
All of the health and ergonomic problems mentioned above can be solved by the society. The society chooses not to solve the problems because of the high costs or because the people don’t like to change their habits. But there are consequences to these problems, which are the health problems. The computer is creating a humongous negative externality to the society. The society needs to compensate this negative externality by spending money to try and solve these problems.
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posted by Robert Martens @ 1/04/2006 09:08:00 PM
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November 21, 2006 7:21 PM
Joseph Toyoshima said...
This essay is very well thought out and the examples given have very good support. Each issue, the pressure on your arm, back aches, visual, and electromagnetic radiation are simply and vividly explained. Each problem are explained in simple terms which are easy to understand.
November 21, 2006 7:22 PM
Knowledge is power! But I don't think using computers are any worse for your eyes than reading a book..
November 21, 2006 7:29 PM
This is a good essay that tells the relationship between ergonomics and computers as well as the health issues. Very clearly explained, and good examples. I have bad sights because I play around with computer. After I read your essay, I realized that I had better change my habit to solve my health problem.
November 21, 2006 7:33 PM
This is a good essay that relates computers and health. Examples have very good support. This made me realize many problems.
November 21, 2006 7:47 PM
This is a debatable topic, but personally i do agree with most of the points the writer mentioned.
The most important factor for health problems is, i guess the person who uses the computer.
November 22, 2006 3:29 AM
U dont need to twist ur wrist 90 degrees u sucker!!! the information on this essay is obviously fake, so u must of made it up. Next time actually WORK on the essay instead of just making up garbage Ken Moyergay!!! (see the parallel with your gay? LOL)
November 26, 2006 10:37 PM
I think this essay is well written. It gives specific examples of health problems created by computers. Now I know why I get more tired after writing essays using computers than using pencil and papers.
November 27, 2006 3:58 AM
This essay leaves interesting views on the defects of technology, showing the health risks we take when using modern machinery such as computers. The essay is well written presenting its main points and ideas clearly, making it extremely easy to read
November 27, 2006 7:12 PM
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November 27, 2006 7:32 PM
Wow, i didnt think of all these issues such as posture or eye level but in reality no one is going to fix this problem. Just look at how people play video games for hours or watch tv for hours.... Good essay though.
November 27, 2006 7:37 PM
Knowledge is Strength! But computer usage does not damage your eyes...unless you are like some person that sits right infront of the screen with your nose touching the screen...but a very nice essay. very well though out and the examples are strong.
November 27, 2006 7:37 PM
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November 27, 2006 7:41 PM
Good explaination of the side effects of spending alot of time on the computer but i would appreciate it if you could explain the methods we could do to avoid it in the first place. Any suggestions ex: on the packaging of computers there are the health hazards and what you can do to avoid it.
November 27, 2006 7:41 PM
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November 27, 2006 7:41 PM
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November 27, 2006 7:42 PM
there are many side effects to using computers and other machines. it is hard to balance between health and use of modern machines.
November 28, 2006 6:38 AM
good essay.lots of new in ormation is here that i didnt know. and its quite scary. why doesn't society make itself more aware of this problem?
November 28, 2006 7:28 PM
Yes not enough emphasis is placed on ergonomic hardware.
In fact, my fingers really hurt from typing all these comments.
December 03, 2006 1:38 AM
I think you could have listed a few possible solutions to some of the problems.
December 03, 2006 7:22 PM
The health issues are stated very vividly. I sometimes experience the twitching in my eyes and for many young computer users are increasing, this matter could be more treated as a significant issue.
December 03, 2006 7:27 PM
You can talk more about the back problems since i think it is more a problem than the other stuff. You should probably write if they found a solution to this problem.
December 03, 2006 7:29 PM
i guess all that chatting i've done is like the cause of the pain in my arms huh? lol
December 03, 2006 7:37 PM
i guess all that chatting i've done is like the cause of the pain in my arms huh? lol
December 03, 2006 7:37 PM
A essay with good details, facts, and opinions.
Each issue was discussed clearly and very agreeable.You made me realize how important relations are between health and computers.
I agree with Raymen taht knowledge is power!
Ronald Chu
December 11, 2006 7:05 AM
Well thought out essay. Relates well to the topic. It is concise and therefore, to the point. Also a problem with the monitor apart from just the level of sight is the excessive brightness as with some Dell's. Long hours in front cause severe irritation(from experience).
- Aditya Kumar
December 15, 2006 5:36 AM
Excellent bringing up of health issues realted with computers. However i think writing with a pencil is no less injurious to health than typing on a keyboard.
December 19, 2006 4:46 AM