Technology is a continuous process of evolution, just like other animals using sticks to extract food or how we transitioned from being hunted to becoming hunters using spears. History is replete with such examples. However, we take the most advanced tool we’ve ever had for granted today—the internet.
The internet serves as our collective brain, library, storyteller, shopkeeper, and teacher, among other roles. In 1989, British scientist Tim Berners-Lee revolutionised the world with the invention of the World Wide Web and the creation of the first public-facing website. As a 90’s baby, I was fortunate enough to be part of the first generation to grow up with the internet. It’s almost impossible to imagine a world without it! But I do recall the dreaded dial tones!
EDUCATION AND LEARNING:
Education and learning were the first areas where I witnessed the profound impact of the internet on evolution. It provides unparalleled access to any information we may need, whether for schoolwork, dissertations, work, or research for a YouTube video. All this information is conveniently at our fingertips, eliminating the need to visit libraries and borrow outdated books. And if we prefer physical books, we can purchase them digitally or have them delivered to our doorstep. All thanks to the internet.
With its unparalleled ease of use, the internet has ignited an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare offer an extensive range of courses, enabling us to learn anything we desire, regardless of what we were taught in school, college, or work. We can learn at our own pace and convenience.
For instance, YouTube is the go-to resource for learning how to make the perfect scrambled eggs. SkillShare is the platform for those interested in photo editing. Even entire college courses can now be completed online. MIT even offers some of its classes for free!
This concept applies to all information, not just education and learning. However, with this abundance of information, there are malevolent forces that aim to disrupt things, disseminate hateful content, or cast doubt on the truth. *** DARTH VADER FUNNY WANTED SIGN ***. Seriously, though, it’s our responsibility to fact-check and rely on credible sources of information. And to any students watching, I must admit that I’m a fan of ChatGPT too… WINK WINK.
CONNECTION, COMMUNITY, AND COLLABORATION:
Imagine a world where Einstein, Newton, Curie, and Darwin had access to the internet. They would have access to all the information, data, and instant access to servers for computing power. What incredible accomplishments could they achieve, and how much further would humanity progress!
We now have the world’s greatest minds connected across the entire globe! We may not see them working, but their contributions are evident in every aspect of our lives, from healthcare and medicine to consumer technology. Surgeons can now perform surgeries on people in other countries!
Most of you watching this may not recall a time when you couldn’t reach a friend or loved one instantly. You had to spend a ridiculous amount of money to make a phone call or wait weeks for a letter. But now, FaceTime connects us instantly, with minimal lag! Teams has enabled groups of people or teams of workers to collaborate from anywhere. Community meetings can now be held from the comfort of our living rooms. Apple even has share play, allowing me to watch a movie with my daughter while I’m at home!
The way we connect has revolutionised all our relationships, both personally, professionally, and commercially. Families can stay in touch across the globe, and parents who have to work late can FaceTime their children to say goodnight. However, there are also drawbacks to this newfound connectivity.
We’ve all had bosses who disregarded boundaries, and there are even dedicated pages to such behaviour. I’ve been a victim of this, and it’s not pleasant. In fact, it’s one of the few instances where I genuinely disliked this step in human evolution. However, the block button does have some positive impact on our personal lives!
QUALITY OF LIFE:
Moving on to a more positive topic, let’s discuss some lesser-known but incredibly useful things that make our lives easier.
First and foremost, we have online shopping for everything! No more queuing in the rain, dealing with unpleasant people, thieves, or Karens. It’s a game-changer for those who aren’t physically fit or have conditions like agoraphobia. For instance, an elderly person can now order groceries and even prescription medications from the comfort of their armchair, without having to leave their home.
My personal favourite is online takeaway delivery. It used to be that the only option was to call a local Chinese restaurant and pay in cash. Now, I can order almost anything from any distance at any time. (Of course, this benefit is limited to suburban areas, as my rural friends are unfortunately out of luck.) I can get Maccies at 1 a.m., fish and chips, or cake from a dessert shop, all without leaving my home.
In summary, online shopping, takeaway delivery, and other technological advancements have made our lives easier and more convenient. They’ve eliminated unnecessary stress and allowed us to enjoy our lives more.
There are drawbacks to this technological advancement, as I’ve mentioned. However, we’re far from the rotund individuals depicted in Wall-E. Throughout history, unscrupulous individuals have always exploited technology to gain unfair advantages. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that the positive aspects outweigh the negative ones. As we continue to evolve, we have the potential to create even better things.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my rambling discourse throughout this video! Please share your thoughts with me, and I hope to see you again in the future.
May the benevolent forces of SkyNet guide us all!
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