I think we call them smart "phones" just to keep it within a mental grasp. This gadget can do so many things, and it happens to also function as a phone. But if I think about it too long, my brain hurts. I'm afraid that we are living in the future already, and it is difficult to even imagine what else we could invent.It was so futuristic in TV shows and movies to have a face to face phone call, and now almost anyone can do that not only on their computer but also on their phones. I remember a trip to Tomorrowland in Disney about 12 years ago, where they had a coffee table that you could load with family photos or a book and touch on the edges and pull apart to expand or pinch to shrink and now that's something I have in the palm of my hand.
I go back and forth with feeling awed excited and impressed on one hand, and on the other hand I'm flipped out, worried, nervous. And then it's all too much to feel so I numb my mind with fun distractions like another youtube video, someone's blog, kindle,Netflix, or a TV app on my This Is So Much More Than A "Phone" device.
I have mixed emotions, but on some level I am horrified that there's a whole generation born in the 2000's who will never know a time when Text, Friend, Google, youtube, etc were not Verbs, and some of them were not even words before. There might be a few pockets of parents (if I were one, I'd be one) who limit computer time, social media, etc. Who want to teach their kids the importance of using their own imagination, and to not fear boredom. Boredom is the birthplace of unique ideas. Boredom is when your inner demons surface and you can invent ways to slay the dragon.
of course I also see the irony of using a social media platform to rant about this, because I am insta-hypocrite. Maybe if I point it out first no one will write a stinging remark about it.Though I also have very few hecklers lurking so that's a plus. :)
I'm sure I could say more on the subject, but for now I must go.
Ttfn, dear reader.
Flying cars.
ReplyDeleteWe're not in the future until I get a flying car.
Just saying.
Can you imagine?
DeleteThink of the mess we are already in because too many people that don't know how to drive (or drive distracted) are cluttering up the roads. And you want to give them the ability to fly?
The technology is there, we just don't want it to be readily available until we get back to an era of more common sense and consciousness.
I'd want to make sure there were strict regulations, but heck yeah I want a flying car!!!
DeleteI feel like they might come up with some version that is either autopilot or public transportation-y to try to avoid or minimize the fatalities from flying crashes...
sometimes teleporting sounds pretty cool to me too...
What is this "era of common sense" you speak of?
DeleteTeleporting would be fantastic! I wouldn't have to get out of bed until 10 minutes before work!