See the phone or computer you’re reading this on? Take a hard look at it and try to imagine all of the complexities that are working together, just so that you can read this webpage in color. There was a point in which computers did little more than equations, and when the world seemed much larger than it is now. In reality, the world has not shrunk any, but our methods of accessing and utilizing global information have totally transformed.
Take your smartphone for example. The newest iPhone, the iPhone 5S, is more than a mobile phone. It is a camera, camcorder, voice recorder, calculator, web browser, compass, GPS, map, flashlight, and a biometric scanner. And these are just features that come with the phone. A little more than a few years ago, the weight of the backpack one would have on to carry all of this would put the iPhone’s few ounces to shame. Technology has allowed us to combine these technologies and cut down our carry on luggage size accordingly, or at least leave some extra room for shoes.
Another wonderful example is media storage. In the 1400s, to play your favorite song at the gym, one would have to bring an entire symphony. Can you imagine somebody on a treadmill with a tuba? Hardly practical. Because of these obstacles, the way that media, such as music, is stored has totally transformed. Media started out on floppy disks that actually flopped. They then moved to plastic floppy (but not really floppy) disks that could store a song or two more. CDs and DVDs stole the show, allowing a thin piece of plastic to contain hours of entertainment. Playing this material was in issue though, so flash storage was developed (the stuff an iPod uses). Even this was not enough because one would have to carry the same iPod with them to access this music. Not always an option. Humans overcame this too, and developed cloud storage. Yeah, your music literally sits on a server somewhere for you to access whenever you want, wherever you want, with no theoretical limitations to the amount you can store.
In a span of a few simply years, technology has been consolidated to save space, material, and become more accessible. It begs the question; will we soon have a car that doubles as a plane, submarine, and washing machine? Only the test of time will tell, with the help of a few creative minds. The geniuses of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and other tech gurus will be surpassed one day, but the level at which they will be passed will be quickly accustomed to by the populous.
