Final Presentation

According to the Futurama ride of the 1964-65 World’s fair, technology was promised to “free the mind and spirit and improve the well being of mankind.” Technology would be something to bring the “everyone of today to the everywhere of tomorrow.” These are good goals, but technology could not do this. Technology has made it easier to do a million things. However, humanity must choose to use technology in an appropriate way.  Technology has given my generation access to information, convenience, and advancements beyond what was imaginable in the 60’s. Just to name a few, we now have self-driving cars, “smart” watches, drones, and AI.

Technology can even provide a “virtual” reality if you don’t like the one you are in. Technology is touching every aspect of the human experience, what we see, touch, hear, feel, and taste from sunrise to sunset is being impacted by one form of technology or another. Time will tell if it is too much, but I think as long as we remember to choose wisely, and we have the right to choose, technology can continue to be a healthy part of our daily lives.

I think that most of what technology has brought to the world is healthy. Consider advancements in medicine, such as antibiotics, robotic surgery, and artificial limbs.

However, when humans choose to use technology to unhealthy levels, problems ensue. This affects me in my life because it is often my escape from reality instead of a tool. Like many others in my generation, I must choose to invest more time working instead of gaming. I must choose to interact more in person with others socially, despite it being easier to use artificial settings via social media. I must choose to physically exercise instead of sitting in front of thousands of LEDs. I must learn to take back control of my technology so that I can pursue my dreams.

I do believe it's important to reflect on how technology is impacting me and people I care about. The internet is overflowing with information. It's important to keep my mind sharp and discern the truth from the lies. I must look at the issues as a scientist and study the data, remembering that there are two sides to every story. It is part of human nature to follow the herd and experience FOMO. I aspire to maintain the “free mind and spirit” mentioned in the Futurama narrative by using technology responsibly. This will enable me and society to build the better tomorrow that was promised in the 60’s.

I am aware of my social media footprint. You will not be able to find multitudes of information or pictures posted by me. I am also one who feels that so much posting and blogging is not important. How I interact in person with others is what matters most to me.

The friends I have known since grade school have a private group where I can chat and share ideas, jokes, and pictures. It's helpful to me to have this medium since they are thousands of miles away on the West Coast. I feel it is extremely important to protect my privacy and that of those that I care about. By choosing to keep my social media footprint small, I also choose to keep control over it and protect my privacy.