We are the generation of the 21st Century and the focal point of this century is technology. Technology has grown its way in our lives in such a way that now, removing it would be like removing oxygen from earth – we all would simply perish.
Technology may have its negative aspects for every coin has two faces but let’s focus only on its one face – the face shining its positive light on all of us.
One of the main benefits of technology is that it has allowed us to save time. Before the development of Google, students had to consult to libraries. Where they would be lost amidst rows and rows of books, taking hours to explore the books required and further more hours to reach the point containing the appropriate information for their work. Now, thanks to the internet, it takes us mere minutes to type in exactly what we require and obtain sufficient amount of knowledge. It also brings all the important sources to one place – keeping them one click away.
Looking at it from a student’s perspective, technology also saves our money. While first, to read a book either for school or for leisure, we had to buy it from a book store. Now we can read the very same book for free online or for a cost multiple times less than its hardcopy’s price. Reading via a device is not only cost beneficial but also an efficient way to save space (a solution to a very serious problem avid reader’s face).
Another very important benefit of technology is the ease in communication it has caused. Telephone and cell phones keep us in contact with our loved ones no matter how far they are. We can not only talk and message but even see them via video calls, which is as good as being there with them (As long as you have good wifi connections).
For the youth, technology has come up with numerous apps on phones to keep us engaged, to spend our free time in a fun and pleasurable way and to socialize without actually talking (which is a huge advantage for introverts like me).
To think about life without it, one word comes in mind; bleak. Yes, it would indeed be very difficult.
Technology helps in keeping up with the fast pace of life and to take it out, suddenly everything will slow down. Without phones, it would be hard to keep track of our friends and family and the only form of communication will be to visit their houses and that can never be always possible. People will lose touch with relatives living abroad. Travelling would take a long time. It would take days to go to different cities let alone countries.
Life would become black and white, with all the bright colors sucked away.
For children, spending time on their phones and ipads, swiping through apps, playing games is all due to the advancement of technology. Watching their favorite television shows and movies is first class entertainment for them. Without all this, they would have no means of entertainment.
Although this might increase the youth’s physical activities as they step outside their houses for recreation but what about when they cannot go outside? When it is too cold or too hot? Or when the night has begun? How many indoor activities are there to replace these technologies? Not many.
While living lives without them was possible before their arrival, now, after using them to such an extent, going back will be absolutely impossible. Technology has shaped our lives to the point where living without them is very difficult (and terrifying) to even imagine.
The only important point to remember is that; use technology as you desire but do not let it consume your entire being.
Published in Daily Times, January 20th 2018.