Don't Get me Wrong, Technology is Great--But ...

Current time: 6:30 a.m. Location: my bedroom. Situation: about to be awakened by my cell phone’s alarm. How I dread hearing that ring tone in the morning. When it suddenly goes on, I press the snooze button, knowing that in a couple of minutes the noise will start again. Indeed in a five minutes or so, the alarm went on, and once again I pressed my favorite button. The previous cycle repeats itself at least four times until it is time to “rise and shine“. Still, without my cell phone, my punctuality efforts would be crushed. It is amazing how technology has developed over the past decade: if one takes a moment to ponder over the achievements of technology and the impact it has on society every minute of the day , the discoveries would yield to an unexpected shock . In the past, technology devices were a greedy demand for entertainment and luxuries; now, they have grown to be a life-or death imperatives. It is rather fearful to admit that in the 21st century, technology sustains the basis for development.

A day in my life is filled with technological devices. Once I finally cease to my alarm’s persistent tunes, and wake up; I set off for the next step: school. At Coppell High School, no student is deprived of the ability to set high standards for himself/herself. So, therefore, the school provides a plethora of facilities in order to facilitate progress for students: computers services throughout the day, laboratories, library facilities, internet resources, student email, and so forth. The following instances can prove the extent of the school’s advanced technology program: nowadays, I can perform a test “online”; likewise, I can stay updated on grades through a special system the district offers; on the same note, emails are very productive. I can send a project or assignment to a teacher through email; Also, I can log in to “blackboard” , the website that displays all the information and assignments for the courses I’m enrolled in . In addition, it is fair to express that while at school, I’m set for technology mode for about 90% of the time. In the next step, its 3:52 p.m. and school’s out. However, I’m not, and neither is technology. After school, I usually stop by A109: the KCBY room, the most technology-innovated room in the whole school, accommodating eleven Macs, two DVX 100 cameras, tripods, Final Cut programs, lighting devices, about five Sony mini cams, among other stuff. By now, most can assume the KCBY room is a room related to the learning process of the production of filmmaking. Of course it is. KCBY is the student-produced show of the High School that airs every week. As a an active, proud member of KCBY, I would establish the idea that most of the staff of this incredible program learns skills that enhances their determination to pursue a career path in media.
I believe technology has empowered human’s ability to think by themselves. A few months ago, I encountered a peculiar incident with a couple of friends concerning the debate of sending messages, instead of talking, when the friends are sitting side by side!
A similar incident might occur every minute, of every day, worldwide. So, dear reader, imagine if humanity is so allured by today’s Ipods; blackberries; face book; Iphones; and so forth; in the future they will be overwhelmed by all the new versions of the former. My inquiry is, if humanity will be so allured by possible new innovations, just consider what lies in store for the media in the future? In my perspective, the fresh technology will have most media corporations “hustling” to keep up: Corporations will have to get used to effective fast-paced schedules, if they are not already being put to practice. Further, a high-tech future, even for a media company seems very ambiguous taking into account the country’s current financial status. Reflect on the example of technology and advancements in science: they are altered almost everyday: data is analyzed, new results come in and causes a change in advances. So, therefore, if I study a certain program in my college years , by the time I graduate and decide to apply it in real life, there will be a “substitute” or newer program. The old would have been outdated. In that case, my aim is to learn all the programs with time, and research any possible substitutions in advance, so as to not fall behind in progress. Likewise, media corporations can research new programs, or equipment to stay in the lead of technology. With time, it is valid to speculate that many in companies substitutions will be available. No longer would I see in every corner a person holding a blackberry or an Iphone. No longer would I dwell on my computer and spend countless hours on Facebook. Sometimes I contemplate about what would the replacements be like, since there are always replacements. Still, during the interval that I reflected about this, my mind recalled a particular event from last year: I was volunteering for the Red Cross Club: installing free smoke alarms in low-income neighborhoods. I can still recall the sights of the inside of the houses: it consisted of compressed spaces filled with simple kitchens and worn-out furniture. Some included a small TV, but others didn’t have a TV at all. Did they have the privilege of Facebook, a DVD system, or HD TV? I’d say the majority of the neighborhood didn’t. This former notion brings me to the idea of a possible digital divide: a gap between individuals who have effective means of technological devices and those who have very limited access. To ensure that the lower-class society doesn’t experience the gap, major companies can offer more beneficial programs of the following sort: fundraisers, scholarships, grants, or raffles. For example, let’s assume companies such as Apple provides this offer in the future : For every 50 laptops that get sold of a certain model, another of the same type is donated to five low-income families. Another wise option is to save a percentage of the company’s profit for monthly donations. Still, there is yet another way to penetrate the issue of a digital divide: if families are given laptops as mentioned earlier, what would be the best way to learn how to compute them? A school would be the best choice. According to Wikipedia, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has invested about $250 in building small institutes aimed at expanding an education in technology. As I imagine the future, the best way to reduce a digital gap is to create more technological institutes, if at all possible near lower-class neighborhoods.
At the close of the day, when my phone’s screen read “ text space is 100% full” and I was able to check my Math test score through the school website; I threw out a piece of paper into the new auto-sensor, oval waste bin at my house, and it immediately perceived my presence when I stood too close. Then, a stream of realization hit me: “Now THAT is technology”, I thought. At first, I was so amused by it that I would pass by the bin again and again; just to watch the bin open by itself. No lid to push. Just pass. Effortless, no extreme thinking required. Scary? Maybe not yet, since it is merely a garbage bin. Still, someday it might be something bigger taking over your abilities. Despite this fact, I’m fully aware and thrilled with the technology in my life. It DOES speed up projects, assignments, and life! However, I do believe that technology shouldn’t have control over one’s life. In fact, I am sure society and media companies would consider the former idea too. Even in the corporate world, there are just some things you might want to do yourself.