Never in the history of the world was there a society so advanced. Never a people so connected, so in touch. Technological discovery is increasing at an incomprehensible rate, enriching the lives of the entire human race. Inventions such as the Internet with its seemingly endless supply of answers and knowledge are available to the vast majority. Want to know the temperature in Hong Kong? Or how your stocks are doing? Or perhaps you would like to know the average number of stripes a zebra has on its right rear leg. It’s all just a click away, and at any time. Even while sipping your favorite coffee beverage from the plush comfort of those green couches at the local Starbucks. Anywhere you go, it’s right there, and at incredible speed. And keeping track of your friends, or just about anyone, is just as simple. Just take your pick between the myriad of online sites like facebook, myspace, or twitter. Forty-five minutes ago John was about to go to the gym to get a workout in, but now he’s enjoying a five-dollar pizza from Little Caesars. Amy’s relationship status has now been switched to “it’s complicated”, and Hillary now has 1,367 “facebook friends”. These are just a few examples of the types of detailed gems available to the public through such sites. Communication is so rapid, and we haven’t even begun to talk about the cell phone. All across the face of America teens and adults alike can be found doing just about anything from the screens of their high-tech cell phones. Gone are the days of only being able to use them for talking. With unlimited text plans you can send a super fast message to anyone while driving, surfing the web, or even eating. If you buy the newest touch screen phones you can access the Internet, take pictures, listen to your favorite music, play games, watch movies, and much more. All designed to allow you to do more with the limited amount of time in each day. Endless information is always at your fingertips, twenty-four hours a day.
It used to be that you just watched football on the weekends. Fantasy football, once again through the Internet, now allows you to create your own team and track its success throughout the season. Before, recreational activities and hobbies were used to improve the quality of life. Today, even these have been improved and expanded through the use of modern technology. There are even entire television stations devoted solely to the world of sports. With up to date live scores and stats, you can know the very second your team seals the victory against your buddies team, and send him a text or email from your cell phone to rub it in. There are also music stations, news stations, food stations, and even stations designed to inform you about all the other stations. You can be assured that for any mood you happen to be in, there is a television station to match it.
Aside from computers, television, and cell phones, technology has improved other factors contributing to the quality of life. Pharmacies all across the globe are filled with customers and their prescriptions calling for one or more of the thousands of medicines produced to preserve health. Grant, for example, comes to pick up his four different diabetes medications, as well as the pills he will need to make sure there are no adverse affects from taking them all at one time. He also needs to grab his anxiety medications and the fever reducing pills necessary to suppress the fever brought on by his high anxiety. Grant organizes these pills into a handy plastic pill organizer designed to tell him exactly what day to take each pill and at what time. Just in case he forgets to check it though, he uses his new “medications” application on his iphone to remind him when to take his pills. Not only has technology enhanced the mental and social state of our society, but it has also helped improve the physical quality of life for many.
It is because of these many technological advancements that thousands have gathered in great Hillford banquet hall of Los Angeles, California to celebrate the life of the late Bill Gates, founder of one of many companies responsible for the life changing advancements discussed above. All arrayed in their finest dresses and suits, those attending await speeches prepared by many of the nations cutting age computer experts, all aimed at commemorating the impact of technology in today’s world. As a more personal touch however, the three-hour event closes with a speech by one of the Gate’s family friends Carl Ravenscroft. The old wizened man slowly makes his way to the podium, his wrinkled face showing the effects of a long adventurous life. Expecting a typical old man story filled speech; the audience waits, as Carl appears deep in thought in front of the microphone.
“I suppose you have all gathered here today for various reasons. Some have come because of the free dinner, others like I, are close friends of the Gates. But at the center of it all is the technology produced by the man whose accomplishments we remember today. I know you’re expecting my speech to be much like those previously heard today, but if that’s your expectation, you are absolutely wrong.
The world is constantly in search of happiness, which is our natural drive as human beings. In that search there are many detours that can eventually lead us back to where we need to be to obtain the true happiness and fulfillment we desire. There are also many detours that lead us to a false sense of happiness. The unfortunate thing about many of these erroneous paths is that the further we travel, the more detached we become from reality. Technology, and the affect she has had on this society, is a prime example. Sure it all starts out innocent enough. The Internet, what an amazing tool it can be. So much information can be shared amongst so many people, in so many places. The same could be said for the television. The cell phone when used for its original purpose of making calls can provide protection and incredible convenience. Unfortunately mankind doesn’t know when to stop “improving”, and that has led to the unbelievable abuse of such tools.
It is believed that Internet sites such as myspace serve to tie us together and keep us in touch with one another. Unfortunately that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The problem with these sites is that the only details portrayed are those that have been hand picked and edited by the owner. So one only sees what someone wants them to see, not the reality of their lives or the emotion of everyday encounters. If used too heavily we begin to substitute our natural born human emotions for the easiness of Internet communication. Our youth are wasting countless hours tagging photos, looking at others’ messages, and updating their “status” when they should be creating the types of real life relationships that will truly cause them to grow socially. The same can be said for the cell phone. It is exciting to be able to surf the web, take pictures, play games, and text at the same time. Excitement however, should not be confused with happiness. If a person does not limit their usage of these tools, they begin to consume all their time. The very tools we have created to save us time and provide convenience easily become the central focus of our daily interactions with the world. At this very moment I cant even count the number of you who have your eyeballs glued to your small cell phone screens. Undoubtedly you are checking your facebook page or texting someone. So you see, it rules your lives. You may not realize it, but it’s always in the back of your mind, and you must keep feeding your hungry little gadgets because they never stop vibrating and beeping.
One of the greatest problems of technology is that, like the human mind, it doesn’t know when or where to stop. Our phones will never stop getting better, our computers will never stop getting faster, with more options, more stuff to call our attention and waste our time. With these improvements comes the desire to have them, and as soon as possible. Pretty soon we believe that we cannot live without them. We convince ourselves that we are wasting our time with outdated technology while the rest of the world is jumping at every new thing available. Believe me, the world got along fine 50 years ago without ipods and wireless Internet. People were more content, more in touch with their surroundings, and far less distracted.
All this brings me to the two great fears I have for the rising generation and those to follow. First is the need that society has developed for instant gratification. We don’t wait for anything these days. Fast food, instant messaging, online banking, fast cars, and the list never ends. It even translates into the way we treat our minor sicknesses and pains. There’s a pill for everything simply because we need to feel better, and now. Can you see the problem with this attitude? We are packing so many things into our day that we lose the focus of where we are actually going. In the end I fear that all the little activities we are involved in will add up to a lot of nothing, and then what will we have to pass on to our children and grandchildren.Secondly, I fear that the line between reality and virtual reality is growing so thin that soon it will become indistinguishable. It is already possible for someone to have second life online, and where will it stop. I fear that if we don’t change our ways, it won’t anytime soon. The further we travel down the tunnel of technological improvements, the more difficult it will become to turn around and see the light of real life reality.
That is what I see. That is the flip side to the coin of technology. When you ask for these advancements you ask for all that comes with it.”
The crowd gave their applause, however between the distractions created by the thousands of texts sent, there wasn’t a soul in the building who could remember what Carl Ravenscroft had said.
