Generations, Technology, & Me

 Technology has grown and changed so rapidly in the last century. From the birth of air travel to the evolution of the cell phone, technological advancement affects everyone in different degrees. Some people accept new technology, while some find it to be unnecessary and frightening. The way that people react to this can be looked at from a generational perspective, as well as individually. To some, technology is involved in everything they do. In the modern workplace, most things are done electronically. Business meetings have been replaced with video chats and emails, presentations are given using Powerpoint slide shows, and mostly all financial transactions are made electronically. We are able to learn more than we ever could have before, at a much easier and faster rate. As time goes on, technology will change, and so will the opinions surrounding it. 

                New discoveries are made every day, and some are more significant than others. In recent years, the cell phone has been upgraded, changed and modernized in amazing ways. The cell phone is the most prominent invention of the past twenty years. The twentieth century brought a multitude of technological advancements, a lot of which are still used today. Upon asking my mother what the most notable invention of her time was, I was told it was the advancement of the personal computer. She described the amazement she experienced when they were first introduced to her. This notable invention was one that she welcomed; it gave a new level of ease to doing research, and a less stressful experience in word processing that a typewriter could not give. The same feeling of amazement was shared by my grandmother and my neighbor, who both gave the same answer of the television. Like the personal computer and the cell phone, the modern television has gone through a lot of changes. My grandmother felt as though the invention of the TV is one of the most brilliant developments the world has ever seen. The standard for notable advancements shifts between generations, and something that is significant to someone older may not faze someone of a younger generation. 

                Every year, Apple holds a conference in California to explain and reveal their latest developments in PC and mobile technology. This event is witnessed by many, and acknowledged by all. People will set up camp outside of a store, sleep there overnight and wait endlessly for the store to open if it means that they are the first in line to get the shiniest new model of a cell phone they already own. In a world where everything is fast-paced, it can be easy to get caught up in technology and shut out everything else. Could this be dangerous? Are we as a society becoming too negatively dependent on our own technology? Some, like my mother and grandmother, don’t think so. However, there are those who think that we need to be more cautious with the use of our personal technology. When inquired about the negative impact that technology might have, my neighbor shared his opinion.

“It isn’t the electronics that are bad, I think it just depends on how you use it. Computers are really useful and great, and you can find literally anything you want on the internet. Technology in schools and places of work is a fine thing. Using it to learn new things, talk with people that are far away, find information and even playing some video games is all positive. But once you start to depend on it as a main source of your life, then it turns negative. When you put your entire life on your iPhone, you’re in trouble, because when you’re looking down at your phone all the time, you’re missing out on everything that your little piece of plastic can’t give you. Technology is wonderful and is definitely something that should be utilized, and any potential negative impact will only come from personal overuse, not the devices themselves.” 

                Use of electronic devices and technologies varies from person to person. Older generations are significantly less involved with progressing technologies than younger ones. Young people tend to be more open to try new things, and have the ability to adapt to different situations with ease. Generally, using technology of any kind requires some skill and background knowledge. When someone has been around and used technology for a substantial amount of time, it becomes easier for them to learn about new advancements and can adapt to any differences at a quicker rate than someone who has not.  When asked about the frequency of her technology usage, my grandmother expressed the amount of difficulty she encounters when attempting to use a laptop or cell phone. “When I was growing up, I would have never even dreamed about having any of the electronic stuff that everyone has now. I only use the laptop when I need to email a friend, or look at international news. I have a flip phone for calling people. I only have one or two friends that are familiar with everything. People that are older like me don’t bother with new electronics. It is all far too complicated and hard to learn for me. New technology doesn’t play a big part in my life, but I would use it if I knew how it all worked.” 

Similarly, my slightly younger neighbor said that he only uses his computer for work related tasks, and while he makes calls on his cell and has the ability to use text messaging, he doesn’t care for the other features. On the other side of things, my tech-savvy mother reported that she uses her Macbook, iPhone, and iPad as frequently as any teenager would. Involved in social networking and managing a business online, she developed skills necessary to understanding and working with advanced technology. This shows that people of any age can learn how to utilize all available resources connected to computers and other machines.

               Technology is constantly changing, and we are uncovering new information at a rate we once would’ve never thought possible. An extensive amount of our daily activities are connected with or powered by technologies old and new. While some are more accepting of it than others, we are all affected by it in some way. Commonly used modern devices like cell phones would’ve seemed strange and scarcely seen in times as recent as 25 years ago. With advancements being made every day, we are seeing a steady shift of technology and human life becoming synonymous. The future of technology is in our hands, and through science, the possibilities are endless.