Impressed with technology
Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. There were those days when we went to school without a mobile, and our parents would worry sick until we were back in sight. And then there is today, when our parents, as well as the police, know our every move with the help of our mobile phones. The world has improved, mostly for the better.
For example, these 7 technologies have impressed as well as helped us in so many ways:
What can I say about Facebook? It is THE social network that has allowed us to find long-lost friends and keep in touch with the new. Something that all of us need as social beings. I’ve been away from my cousins for the longest time, but managed to keep in touch with a few, who did not mind writing letters back to me. Perhaps, if they sent me a recent picture of themselves, I would know what they looked like, but otherwise I would just write, imagining them as the person they were when we last met.
Electronic mail made picture sending easier, but with the arrival of Facebook, we cannot only write to them or send pictures but also enjoy their sometimes annoying videos they keep forwarding and tagging us on. This platform has made many happy, but I was impressed with it right from when I could merely type a person’s name and find them according to their profile picture.
Till today, I remember the man who went house to house selling a bunch of encyclopaedias that were supposed to make us way more knowledgeable than our friends who didn’t possess these general knowledge bibles that took away a lot of space in many showcases. These books only gave us facts and, probably, figures but now Google can answer questions like “who was the first woman prime minister of Timbuktu?”
Sometimes, spending too much time on Google may drive you insane, but everything has its pros and cons. All I can say is, with the help of a laptop or mobile phone, you can access Google, which has also proved to be space-saving, mobile and smart.
When I first began using a computer, I chatted with many people from across the world, many unknown to me. Of course, back then that was something that interested us teenagers because we could talk to people and keep in touch with friends and family. Today, with Whatsapp and its various features, we can chat, talk and view the other person who is several miles away. Plus, it is an application that everyone has on their mobile phones today. Many chat applications have come and gone, but this one has stayed till today.
You have no idea how this particular technology has helped a disoriented soul like me. I am horrible with directions, to the point that I once got lost in a mall and had to call my husband to direct me out of there by telling him which shop was on my side. I will not even start with losing my car in parking lots several times because I cannot remember where I parked it.
So, when people could actually send their location pin to me, I was rather impressed. Now, I can go anywhere, as long as it is available on Google Maps and there’s a data network tower there. If not, I’m doomed, or I’d have to do it the old school way and ask for directions. Yikes!
As I have probably mentioned many times before, I am not a big fan of shopping; at least I wasn’t until a couple of years ago. The word ‘SALE’ never excited me, unlike some women who get an orgasm with the mere mention of that word. I am not the type who will go shopping with a stroller, a baby and a 5 year old, just because the mall has a sale. But ever since Jabong (and now Amazon), online shopping has made it easy and tempting to make purchases.
What impressed me about this technology was that from the comfort of my bed, even in the middle of a kid-noise-free night, I could buy anything, from diapers to books to power banks, and the same would be delivered to my doorstep. I agree that some things, like shoes, are preferably bought after trying them on, but if you can buy everything else, that do not need your size, online, then why not use the easy way to purchase? Works well for me. Lately, the watchman thinks I’m a dealer at Amazon!
With the increasing awareness of the need to be healthy, a company manufactures a product that helps you track your steps and shows you the number of calories you’ve lost in a day, step by step.
I was amazed by this device when I was shown what it could do. I’m not sure if I want to possess one yet, as I dislike wearing anything on my skin all day, but it still is a wonderful concept for health-conscious folks like me. Some of these trackers are also available on one’s mobile but it has to be held in the hand all the while, which can be quite uncomfortable.
The night of November 8, 2016, was a memorable one. I had just celebrated my grandmother’s birthday the day before and was heading to my cousin’s house when my friend called and told me to go to the nearest bank or ATM and immediately exchange all my 500 and 1000 rupee notes. I thought she went senile, so asked her to calm down and call me back in a while. I hadn’t watched the news till the next day.
We reached my cousin’s house and once my phone automatically connected to her wireless network, loads of messages, with regards to the 500 and 1000 rupee notes my friend was talking about a while ago, flooded all the Whatsapp groups. Till a few days later, everyone, from the rich to the poor, was in a state of panic but the Paytm team worked hard and out came the technology that we could use to pay taxi fares, etc. Shops and large stores had the debit/credit card swiping machines, while the hawkers and small-time dealers did not. But, as they all possessed mobile phones, they could receive money in their Paytm wallet. Smart!
Technology has made things easy for us, no doubt; and we have to make good use of it. I think that technology is great but we should also not allow it to control us. Technology is a useless servant but can be a dangerous master. So, we must be aware and use it cautiously.
Sometimes, I keep my gadgets and devices aside and spend quality time with friends and family. What about you? Do you keep technology-free time for yourself, too?
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