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Look, there’s plenty written at this time of year about being thankful for family, friends and other such squishy subjects. While there is no doubt that technology has brought a wide variety of ills into the world, I’d like to put in a word for a few of them that contribute to the quality of life in our modern culture, and for which I am thankful. Here they are, listed in no particular order.
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In 1850, William Gladstone asked the scientist Michael Faraday why electricity was valuable. Faraday answered, “One day sir, you may tax it.” Beyond that, it contributes to nearly every function of modern life, extending those functions to any hour of the day or night. Look around you and consider how completely life changes as soon as the power goes off.
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Not so long ago, a computer was not a thing but rather a job description, applied to one who is exceptionally good at math. The machines that took over these computational jobs were so complex and expensive that they could only be operated by governments and corporations. The 50 year evolution of personal computers becoming ever smaller and more powerful, has enabled most (not all) people to access and manipulate information in ways never before imaginable.
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Think of the things we wouldn’t have without the internet: Netflix, streaming music, podcasts, Wikipedia, e-books and of course online shopping. Now consider all the ways that the internet allows us to interact: email, instant messaging, blogs, VOIP, forums and social networking (the last admittedly a mixed blessing). The fact that it works at all is a source of constant amazement to me. And the ability to literally become a part of it using an affordable commodity product (see above) is astonishing.
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From Wikipedia: In Renaissance Europe, the arrival of mechanical movable type printing introduced the era of mass communication, which permanently altered the structure of society. The relatively unrestricted circulation of information and (revolutionary) ideas transcended borders, captured the masses in the Reformation and threatened the power of political and religious authorities. The sharp increase in literacy broke the monopoly of the literate elite on education and learning and bolstered the emerging middle class.
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The invention of the World Wide Web in 1989 as a technology for sharing written information, opened up opportunities that could not be imagined at the time. This open platform is available for anyone to use with minimal training, without permission and low or no cost. With the possible exception of the printing press, it is the greatest enabler of communication ever created by humans.
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A single convex lens magnifies, allowing us to see details that would otherwise be invisible. Lenses also make televisions, cameras, projectors and DVDs possible. Most importantly, they allow me to see well enough to type these words and read the words of others.
Until next week.
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