I write, inspired by the fact that I’m currently about 25,000 feet above the earth, on a plane.
“So what?” You ask. The point of this post is to say – “Stop and be a little awestruck at human beings and what we can do.” I’m currently flying to Chicago, a trip which will take about two hours. The distance is around 850 miles. I’m typing, not writing, on a portable device that can do math, run complex algorithms and logical arguments in a split second and is also playing music via tiny speakers in my ears. Think of your life, for a moment, two and a half centuries ago. You certainly wouldn’t fly, you wouldn’t drive. You would work your way to Chicago, on a month long trip on horseback. You’d run the risk of diphtheria, typhus, or just running out of food. Instead, I’ll be enjoying a coke in about 10 minutes, courtesy of these nice attendance whose job it is to fly around and serve me, the dude who paid for the seat. I have the opportunity to read a nice publication that came off an automated printing press, listen to some music through a device less than 1/1000th of the size of an orchestra, that was recorded on devices that control electronic pulses and wavelengths and interpret them into data that I ultimately hear on my ears. I imagine, and use this technology every day. I work on computers, build them, tear them apart, fix them. I use data networks to achieve goals and share information in a matter of time that once took days or weeks. I work at a place that, some few hundred years ago, was a day long trip just to GET there. It takes me 45 minutes. So the next time you pick up your phone and call your grandmother, buy something online, fly somewhere, or even just get in your car and drive, remember… Someone’s mind went into creating what you use. Everything, from your food, to your bed, your car, even your clothes. Without it, we’d be MUCH worse off.
11/25/2010 Note: Sometimes the most simplistic things we take for granted, are the most worthy of our gratitude.
This was copied and pasted with zero proofing, but... Even the fact that you can pull up this post, given that you may be upward of over 1000 miles away, is in and of it's self - amazing.
ReplyDeleteSome marvel at those who traveled via horse-drawn carriage, then on the Concorde at mach speed over the Atlantic in their lifetimes... I say - Look at the development of technology in the last 30 years. It dwarfs our previous accomplishments.