Technology has advanced in leaps and bounds throughout the course of my life. It’s strange to think that, when I entered this world, there was no Internet, tablets, cellphones or any of the other modern, techno gadgets and apps, which we all love so much – and seemingly can’t live without.
The world has entered a new age where people have more access to information, greater scope for communication and more tools at their fingertips. Technology is certainly booming and it shows no signs of slowing down.
However, this does cause one to wonder where this road is headed. The world has already transformed so much, within the last thirty years, that you have to wonder where the next thirty will take us.
I hate to say it, but it seems that computers are getting smarter and, in turn, we humans are becoming dumber by default and sheer laziness. I say this because, a few years after I’d left school, I tried to multiply two largish numbers together without using computerized assistance and, I’m ashamed to say, I found myself completely stumped. I had literally forgotten how to do multiplication and I was appalled at my own ignorance. Granted my mathematical abilities have never been worth mentioning, but how embarrassing and pathetic! Confound those calculators and this modern day and age that we live in. Perhaps, those movies where computers and cyborgs take over the world are not as far-fetched as they may seem. Who knows, soon your refrigerator could be telling you what to do.
After all, thanks to innovation, your fridge can already order your groceries for you. So, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if it turned around to you one day and said, “No, doll! I only accept low-fat milk, so you can just take that bottle right back out.”
Who knows! In fifty years’ time, after loyally nurturing your home, it might decide to get smart and stage a coup with all your other appliances to oust you – and then where would you be? Or, worse, it could hold you hostage until it gets that upgrade you’ve been withholding. Yikes! Now who’s calling the shots?
Needless to say, I’m a bit of a technological rebel for this very reason. Call it old-fashioned, if you like. Sure, there’s no denying that technology has its advantages, but I prefer to do certain things myself and keep it simple. Besides, I refuse to accept that my fridge is going to be more intelligent than me. Hence, I’m pleased to report that I took the time to sit down and learn how to do multiplication again – although I have to admit that I still use the calculator on my cellphone more often than not. What can I say? I’m not a fan of mathematics. Yes, I know; it seems there’s no hope. That fancy fridge will outsmart me yet.
I guess the only alternative is to stop abusing our appliances when they don’t work – because banging and shaking them clearly works wonders – and start showing them some love. That way, when my fridge is running for president one day, hopefully he’ll remember that I helped make him the fridge he’s become (or some tech guy did anyway).
Audrey Whyte 
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