Technology & traditional skills
The question
Some people think that modern technology has made traditional skills and ways of life unnecessary. Others believe these skills should be preserved. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Sample answer
Rapid technological advancement has undoubtedly transformed the way people live and work, prompting a debate about whether traditional skills retain any meaningful value in the modern era. While some argue that digital tools have rendered such skills obsolete, others contend that they remain culturally and practically indispensable. In my view, although technology has displaced many manual crafts, traditional skills deserve to be preserved for the cultural identity and resilience they provide.
Proponents of the technological perspective point out that machines can perform virtually every traditional task more efficiently. For example, GPS systems have replaced map-reading, online translators have weakened the demand for language fluency in some contexts, and industrial agriculture has marginalised small-scale farming techniques. From this standpoint, devoting time to outdated methods may seem economically irrational.
However, the counter-argument is equally compelling. Traditional skills — from carpentry to calligraphy — embody centuries of accumulated knowledge that cannot easily be replicated by automation. They are also closely tied to regional identity: losing them means losing a tangible connection to one's heritage. Moreover, recent global disruptions have shown that an over-reliance on technology leaves communities vulnerable when systems fail; basic practical skills offer a critical safety net.
In conclusion, while technology has indisputably reduced our everyday dependence on traditional skills, the cultural, psychological and practical value of these skills more than justifies the effort required to preserve them. Societies should therefore integrate them into education rather than treat them as relics of the past.