Living in a Transitional World
Walt Mossberg, one of the most celebrated technology journalists signed off with an article on how the computer would eventually disappear. While he has been accused of many things, including being a huge supporter of Apple and Steve Jobs, you have to agree with him on how technology will eventually disappear and become a natural fit in our lives.
It was not that long ago that we first bought a desktop for our home. With little knowledge on how to install an operating system or even connect a peripheral, we had handed over complete responsibility to some store, hoping for good support when required. Computers were a big deal back then even without the internet. I still remember times when I would be scared to even switch it on. Software to simply burn a CD of your favorite tracks was hard to find if by any chance you lost the original drives supplied in the box, you get the flow. Nothing was simple and everyone was scared that something would eventually make our INR 25,000/- investment redundant. Myths like dust or beverage near the PC would 'infect it with a virus' and that one cannot wear shoes into the room where the PC is kept were as hilarious to me back then as they are today. But, there is no denying the fact that we have all heard them at some point.
A couple of days ago, we bought a phone for my father, a senior citizen, which cost almost as much as the computer did back then. Inflation and other economic factors aside, you have admit, it is quite a lot of money for a small piece of hardware that is primarily designed to make phone calls and send pictures on WhatsApp. Goes to show technology is such an easy sell in 2017. Companies are spending a fortune to show what 'amazing' things can be done with something as compact as a smartphone and how it would make our lives better. The big question is, is that actually the case?
As with any disruptive phenomenon, it is to first reach the larger audience to settle down and for people to take it for granted, let it fade to the background and focus on more important things. Unfortunately, this transition is happening at a phase where the older generation is so fascinated by YouTube and recent advances in 4G LTE, that they spend more time staring at their screens than speak to each other. Everyone is wielding a smartphone these days. Technology has trickled down enough to make it more affordable and the ecosystem around it is nurturing as well.
Although my generation did not grow up with technology, as much as the present one will, we are vastly less attracted by it. To me, technology is just a tool to make life simpler. I would not mind spending the extra money to gain some peace of mind, it's just so ubiquitous these days. That said, I do like to do my groundwork before putting down my hard earned money on a phone or a laptop. With devices becoming personal, it is more important to understand what fits my need best and not worry about features that are marketed. Find value in what matters to you the most.
Circling back to the idea of this post; well, we are in the transition phase where one generation is smooth and slick with technology, one is struggling to keep up with it and one is growing up with it. In my books, this is hardest to survive since we at time tend to value technology more than people and moments. I can't wait for this transition to complete and technology to just fade into the background so that we can focus on more important things like human relations, environment and being the healthiest we can be.
It was not that long ago that we first bought a desktop for our home. With little knowledge on how to install an operating system or even connect a peripheral, we had handed over complete responsibility to some store, hoping for good support when required. Computers were a big deal back then even without the internet. I still remember times when I would be scared to even switch it on. Software to simply burn a CD of your favorite tracks was hard to find if by any chance you lost the original drives supplied in the box, you get the flow. Nothing was simple and everyone was scared that something would eventually make our INR 25,000/- investment redundant. Myths like dust or beverage near the PC would 'infect it with a virus' and that one cannot wear shoes into the room where the PC is kept were as hilarious to me back then as they are today. But, there is no denying the fact that we have all heard them at some point.
A couple of days ago, we bought a phone for my father, a senior citizen, which cost almost as much as the computer did back then. Inflation and other economic factors aside, you have admit, it is quite a lot of money for a small piece of hardware that is primarily designed to make phone calls and send pictures on WhatsApp. Goes to show technology is such an easy sell in 2017. Companies are spending a fortune to show what 'amazing' things can be done with something as compact as a smartphone and how it would make our lives better. The big question is, is that actually the case?
As with any disruptive phenomenon, it is to first reach the larger audience to settle down and for people to take it for granted, let it fade to the background and focus on more important things. Unfortunately, this transition is happening at a phase where the older generation is so fascinated by YouTube and recent advances in 4G LTE, that they spend more time staring at their screens than speak to each other. Everyone is wielding a smartphone these days. Technology has trickled down enough to make it more affordable and the ecosystem around it is nurturing as well.
Although my generation did not grow up with technology, as much as the present one will, we are vastly less attracted by it. To me, technology is just a tool to make life simpler. I would not mind spending the extra money to gain some peace of mind, it's just so ubiquitous these days. That said, I do like to do my groundwork before putting down my hard earned money on a phone or a laptop. With devices becoming personal, it is more important to understand what fits my need best and not worry about features that are marketed. Find value in what matters to you the most.
Circling back to the idea of this post; well, we are in the transition phase where one generation is smooth and slick with technology, one is struggling to keep up with it and one is growing up with it. In my books, this is hardest to survive since we at time tend to value technology more than people and moments. I can't wait for this transition to complete and technology to just fade into the background so that we can focus on more important things like human relations, environment and being the healthiest we can be.
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