Wednesday, September 5, 2012

to the future

Our world is progressing at a rapid pace. Where once computers were cutting edge technology, it's now strange to find a home without one, or an apartment for that matter. Cell phones are no longer a device for the extravagant businessman or woman, but a commodity that even young children enjoy. For example, my Nephew, who is 10 years old, has had a cell phone - with internet - since Christmas and will periodically text me.

Even physical spaces are being redefined by technology. It is no longer necessary to be in the same room with someone in order to talk, or even see each other. Entire classes occur online where students can interact with their teacher and other students. More and more regular classes are requiring interaction online for a large part of their participation grade - a grade that is primarily associated with attending class.

One exciting faction of the digitized world is video. I remember being a kid and wishing we could watch movies in the car on road trips. I could just envision that the dashboard where the clock shone to have a screen and the CD port to take DVDs instead. My family thought it was silly and cute. Now, it seems, every van comes already equipped with a DVD player etc. and many new cars have GPS systems included in the vehicle.

My father works in the film industry and is currently working with a company that allows end-users to choose what they watch. Not just channel surfing, but they can change what they are looking at during a sports game independently of other end-users. This amazing technology even allows you to watch in 3D, rewind and watch from a different angle etc. all with the click of a button.

How much further will technology take us? I often wonder what will come of the future. We cannot even now dream of all the possibilities that await. Will we have teleportation like Star Trek? Robots capable of human thought? Will cash or even credit cards be necessary in the coming decades? Will we ever look back on NOW and wonder how we lived in such a primitive society?

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