As a 20-year-old, I often hear that technology is “ruining” our generation. It comes from teachers, older family members, and sometimes peers. The thing is, I’m sorry to say, they can be wrong.
Technology does have negatives and positives. We’re talking about smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, GPS, internet tv, and more. I would guess many Americans own at least half of these, if not all. The following explains how helpful all of the tools can be.
Smartphones:
Before smartphones, or even the flip cell phones that could stand a zombie apocalypse, the only form of contacting someone immediately was a home phone. If the person you were trying to reach wasn’t home, you left a message and went on with your day. But do you think about what you would’ve done when lost on a road trip? Or when your car broke down? Right now I can text my boss and tell her I’ll be five minutes late because there was construction on the highway. Twenty to thirty years ago I may have been fired for not showing up on time. The ease and safety that comes with having a smartphone has changed how our society works for the better.
Computers:
In general, computers have created a pathway for people all over the world to share information. This is crucial to advances in medical care, education, international travels, and more. If a scientist makes a breakthrough in his research, he can immediately share it through an email to others around the world. Collaborating on projects makes everyone involved smarter, and creates a path to more and better information. Between 1908 and 1921 the tuberculosis vaccine was developed by two French bacteriologists. Imagine how much faster this could have been done with the help of many other experts.
Global education has become a forefront in the United States creating standards for our children's education. Before technology, who would have known what Australia, Japan, Canada, or the United Kingdom were teaching their children and expecting them to retain? Someone would have had to fly to all of the continents/countries and take months or years to gain the knowledge and be able to share it. Now all of this can be shared at the touch of a button. We know the United States is ranked much lower in math and science than multiple other countries. Educators now know more focus is needed on those subjects to enhance our futures ability to work in a competitive job market.
Global Positioning System or GPS:
GPS is a radio navigation system that allows land, sea, and airborne users to determine their exact location, velocity, and time 24 hours a day, in all weather conditions, anywhere in the world. (Site) Before GPS, traveling across the country would be done using a map, pencil, and hopefully some luck. Yes, it is important to know how to navigate without a cell phone or car system. However, the luxury of having directions from Siri (an iPhone system) in 20 seconds helps anyone who is unsure of their whereabouts or where they’re headed. For instance, a friend of mine took the wrong freeway to get home on Friday. Instead of heading toward 35e and Eagan, she realized she was headed into St. Paul. Without having to pull over or stop at a convenience store for directions, she pulled out her phone and used voice commands to get a map directing her home. This kept her safe, got her home faster, and required nearly no additional steps to be on her way.
