The Evolution of Technology: From Stone Tools to Quantum Computing
Driverless vehicles, robots, cryptocurrency, and a lot more; technology has been delivering mind-blowing findings throughout the years. Since the 18th century, around the time when the industrial revolution started, tech never failed to wow us with countless discoveries and ways to make our lives easier. It brought about smart solutions even for our day-to-day challenges that we never pondered as solvable issues. Today, life without technology would not be functional or enjoyable for most of us. While some may suppose that tech causes more problems than it solves, one can not deny the fact that technology has become perpetually crucial in our lives.
There is evidence for the negative effects of its overuse, especially in our generation where just about everything is digital. The advancements and amusing internet contents keep us glued to our devices, be it scrolling through TikTok on our cell phone or watching Netflix on the TV, which we can do for hours without even realizing it. This can quickly become an addiction because excessive internet use has been shown to release dopamine, the ‘feel-good’ chemical, in the brain.
Despite all of this, from the simplest gadgets like a calculator or a rice cooker to highly advanced areas of study like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, almost everything around us is kept running by the strong arms of this compelling concept. Automobiles/cars, telephones, aircraft, robotics, the internet, the printing press, and our pivotal tool- a computer- are just a few of the appliances that are in favor of our productivity, and also, at times, failure. As much as how transformative it is, if misused, technology has the potential to be combative to our generation.
Made nearly two million years ago, stone tools are the first known technological invention. From there on, the light bulbs invented by Thomas Edison ignited the spark of modern innovations. We now have insane fields like Blockchain, Humanoid Robots, and Quantum computers in the digital sector.
Technology has overall become essential in our lives. It has transformed and elevated our lifestyle and general functioning. Here in Ethiopia, starting from the time when Emperor Menelik(||) first introduced telephones to the community, technology has played an important part in the lives of many. We now have emerging sectors like Information Technology, Advanced Robotics, and Biotechnology, which I believe shall construct strong railroads towards development.
What do you think a day without any sort of technology would look like?