---
title: "Conflict of technology"
subject: "Technology, Environment and Society"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:conflict-of-technology"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/conflict-of-technology
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Conflict of technology

Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 1: Technology

- Asked in: 2076 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2074 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2073 Chaitra, 4 marks (asked 3 times)
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/conflict-of-technology
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-1

## Question

Explain conflict of technology with examples.

## Short answer

Conflict of technology arises when a technology benefits some while harming others, such as dams displacing villagers, excavators reducing jobs, nuclear power enabling weapons, and CCTV invading privacy; management requires impact assessment and participation.

## Answer

**Conflict of technology** means a disagreement or clash that arises because a technology brings benefits to some people or purposes and harm to others, or because two needs compete for the same resource or technology. Every technology has trade-offs, and these lead to social, economic, environmental and ethical conflicts.

#### Types with examples
- **Development vs environment:** A hydropower dam gives electricity but floods land, displaces villagers and blocks fish migration (e.g. local protests over reservoir projects in Nepal).
- **Machine vs labour:** Excavators make road building fast, but reduce jobs for local labourers who earlier earned from the work.
- **Benefit vs misuse:** Nuclear technology gives power and medicine but also atomic bombs; ultrasound helps maternal care but is misused for sex-selective abortion.
- **Modern vs traditional:** Chemical fertilisers increase yield but degrade soil and conflict with organic farming and traditional knowledge.
- **Privacy vs security:** CCTV and mobile tracking help catch criminals but intrude on personal privacy.
- **Rich vs poor (access):** Advanced medical or digital technology is available only to people who can pay, widening inequality.
- **Upstream vs downstream:** Irrigation diversion upstream reduces water for farmers downstream.

#### Managing conflicts
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EIA/IEE) before projects.
- Participation of affected people, fair compensation and benefit sharing.
- Choosing appropriate technology suited to local needs.
- Laws and ethical codes to prevent misuse.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is meant by conflict of technology?
   A. A clash because a technology benefits some people or purposes and harms others, or two needs compete for the same resource
   B. A technical fault in a machine
   C. A patent dispute between companies only
   D. A war fought with technology
   Answer: A. Every technology has trade-offs that lead to social, economic, environmental and ethical conflicts. (Key point: Definition)

2. Which example shows 'benefit vs misuse'?
   A. Irrigation diversion upstream
   B. CCTV and privacy
   C. Ultrasound helping maternal care but used for sex-selective abortion
   D. Dam flooding land
   Answer: C. Nuclear technology and ultrasound both have useful and harmful uses, which is the benefit vs misuse conflict. (Key point: Benefit vs misuse)

3. What is the upstream vs downstream conflict?
   A. Dams produce electricity upstream
   B. Irrigation diversion upstream reduces water for downstream farmers
   C. Fish migrate upstream
   D. Upstream farmers buy more machines
   Answer: B. Taking water upstream for irrigation leaves less for farmers downstream, a conflict over the same resource. (Key point: Upstream vs downstream)

4. Which is a way to manage technology conflicts?
   A. Hide project plans from villagers
   B. Avoid all laws
   C. Skip assessment to save time
   D. EIA/IEE before projects, participation of affected people and fair compensation
   Answer: D. The answer lists EIA/IEE, participation, compensation and benefit sharing, appropriate technology, and laws and ethical codes. (Key point: Managing conflicts)

## Related in Technology, Environment and Society

- [Conflict of resources and ecology](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aconflict-of-resources-ecosystem) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4
- [Short note: Conflict of resources](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aconflict-of-resources-note) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 4