When the Victor Talking Machine Company invented a new design for a record player, called a victrola in 1906, how long did they think it would last? How long did anyone think the record player would last? Or when Henry Ford invented the Model T did he think it would last for decades to come? The inventions of the 20th century have gotten us where we are today, a world centered on technology. Today, we live in a digital world and the things we once grew up with are gradually starting to disappear or will disappear in future years as technology continues its rapid advancement.
Remember VCR tapes? Most of our childhoods revolved around watching animated Disney movies on our VCR sets. Now VCR turned into DVD and Blue-ray; some people don’t even buy hard copies of movies anymore. People watch movies on their phones or they buy them on Netflix; our children will probably never see a VCR set. VCRs are al but ancient history to many, and the same is becoming the case for personal video cameras. When was the last time you saw someone tape something with an actual video camera? Now, everything is filmed with a cellphone or Ipad, but that does make sense because they’re a lot easier to handle than a bulky video camera. News and film cameras may always be around, but personal video cameras are following people around for “home movies” on their way out.
House Phones. Seriously, when was the last time you picked up your house phone? Most of us probably only pick it up now to stop the ringing from the 1-800 service. Some people might not even remember their phone number anymore, or any phone number for that matter due to cellphones. In fifteen to twenty-five years from now house phones may not exist, and if your cellphone breaks, well I guess you will be out of luck for a few days. Ah – the regressive world of failed technology.
In a decade or two camping out in a line for a movie premiere or the newest Apple product might not exist either. More and more people are buying tickets or products online to avoid the wait or the hassle of all the people on the premiere night. Eventually, no one will want to stand in a four mile line when they can buy their tickets or products online.
In thirty to fifty years will textbooks even exist? Most textbooks are accessible online, but thirty years in the future will classrooms that were once filled with textbooks be filled with computers, Ipads, and the newest products instead? Will there be a time when students only learn by using technology instead of hardcopies of books and taking notes by hand. With new technology comes new ways to learn, gradually textbooks will likely go the way of the dinosaur.
We live in a world where technology is rapidly improving at speeds where some people can’t even keep up with it. Some people may like where our future is headed others may not, but it’s a pretty safe bet that technology in the modern world will continue to grow and it is probably not worth trying to get in its way.