Technology and History

Enough of my ramblings in the previous introductory post. Here is the serious stuff.

Topic: Historical Timeline and Technology "Revolutions"

Ratings: 7/10

People generally think of technology today as computers, laptops, smartphones, science breakthroughs, etc. I am one of them.

However, what many people, including myself, missed out, is that technology has already existed more than 100,000 years ago when man first discovered the use of fire. Then again, it may have dated even way back but as of the historical records, this is what we know of.

tech·nol·o·gy

 [tek-nol-uh-jee]

–noun

1.

the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and useof technical means and their interrelation with life, society,and the environment, drawing upon such subjects asindustrial arts, engineering, applied science, and purescience.

2.

the terminology of an art, science, etc.; technicalnomenclature.

3.

a technological process, invention, method, or the like.

Taken from www.dictionary.com

Yes, so in the first lesson, we learnt about the history of technology. Or rather, how technology and history are related and also the revolutions of technology (Do-you-know video and timelines). In addition, we were also reminded to the fact that inequality is evident in this world even though we are supposedly more interconnected through technology (Yali's Question, readings).

What struck me during the lesson, was the realization that technology is moving at an increasing speed. Like the term that is commonly used "exponentially". Looking at the timeline, new advancements in technology is occurring faster and faster. While we are in it, we do not really sense it. However, when we look at the big picture, it is quite terrifying to see that things are moving so quickly.

I'm not saying that change is not good, but are we too fast? How did it even get so fast in the first place. What everyone is saying that in a few years time, technology will be moving so quickly that the human brain cannot possibly keep up with it, and that it will reach the vertical part of the exponential curve. I do not disagree with that point of view, but I'm just thinking. Thinking if there is a possibility that after that vertical part of the exponential curve, what comes after that? Will the curve then become horizontal? Or will it be just cut of from there? I doubt it will continue vertically because we are talking about CHANGE here. Also, what if, instead of reaching the vertical part of the exponential curve, the curve actually meets terminal velocity? (Sorry for the little bit of Physics here). What will this mean to the world then?