To each person, the world holds different problems and technology holds the potential to meet a different end.

Michael Nilan, associate professor at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, summarized the ever-changing face of technology as ‘an artifact of humans collaborating to address the problems of the day.’

The reason? It has never been easier for mankind to be connected with each other than now.Information easily flows through previously opaque borders as though by osmosis.

‘It’s changed our everyday lives; it’s changed how we get information,’ said Katie Walpole, a senior history, policy studies and political science major.

But alongside this elastic connectivity’s wonders walk its woes.

In the decade that has passed since Sept. 11, 2001, technology and terrorism have grown in tandem, influencing, fostering and impeding the other. As technology has grown, it has spawned two significantly opposing purposes: one to thwart terrorist efforts and the other to perpetuate them.

In 2001, cellphones were still novelties and Twitter was just a twinkle in the apple of some innovator’s eye. The FBI’s relatively young National Infrastructure Protection Center went out on a limb to warn about a computer virus dubbed ‘Code Red.’

Today, there’s a resounding sense of paranoia regarding intervention of the government’s hand in technology. Cellphones and other electronic devices can act as bombs or other conduits of destruction. Our free-flowing information and data can foster the creation of homegrown terrorists, influenced by the odd combination of intrinsic discontent and self-righteous extremist messages.

In May 2010, an American citizen found extremist idealism videos posted online. Shortly after, he planted a car bomb in a Nissan in the middle of Times Square.

Senior broadcast journalism major Sam Taylor cites the easy access of such posts in some of today’s terrorism issues.

 ‘It is easier to spread propaganda today than ever before. Terrorist web sites draw traffic and in many cases are allowed to publish information and instructions on how to build bombs,’ Taylor said. ‘Facebook groups, Twitter feeds and trends can communicate a single message to millions of people with a click of a button.’

At the same, technology has the power to prevent terrorism and to unite humanity like never before possible.

Walpole said while she recognizes the threats that come with such unchecked information, she simultaneously sees its capacity for good.

‘It helped families find loved ones during Hurricane Irene,’ she said. ‘Social media keeps people informed.’

As cultures and societies continue to blend in the 21^st century, globalization may very well force the next round of this world’s leaders into negotiating and communicating in ways their predecessors were incapable of doing, Nilan said.

‘I am hopeful,’ Nilan said, ‘and perhaps naively and idealistically confident that they will be more effective in creating humane conditions and managing the limited global resources than their predecessors have been.’

This past decade has acted as a narrative of technology, following it through its youth, with terrorism as the antagonist. It’s hard to foresee the next chapter of such a twisted tale, but with any luck, Nilan had it right when he said, ‘What will be the need for terrorism when we are already collaborating onthe problems we must address?’

Jessica Smith is a senior information management and technology and television, radio and film dual major. Her column appears every Tuesday. She can be reached at jlsmit22@syr.edu.

Published on September 11, 2011 at 12:00 pm