Dependence on Digital Technology & its Consequences

In the so-called digital era, beyond the debate of whether it is good or bad, one cannot ignore the fact that humans depend on technology at every level. From blenders in the kitchen to smart locks in cars, humans trust technology with their everyday activity. However, this is becoming advanced with the influence of digital technology replacing the existing or older technology. From smart homes to smart classes, digitization has impacted the young and the old alike.

More Impact than Any other Revolution

There have been revolutions before in the form of electricity, the steam engine, etc. How is the current digital revolution different from them? The obvious answer is the speed at which it evolves and makes it easier for consumers to adapt. There is more to what’s obvious in this case. The first and foremost is the versatility of digital technology. Banking, publishing, media, social networking, e-commerce, fitness, travel are some of the industries that have gained immensely with digitization. If one takes a closer look, these are related to a common citizen anywhere in the world. Areas like Quantum Computing, Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain, Supercomputers, etc. are the future of this revolution. Several breakthroughs are in the pipeline which could transform the functioning of the world completely. Know about the latest fad in technology, Edge computing & Fog computing.

Beyond the Debate

We are way past the time to debate whether such a digital revolution is good or bad now. It has reached a point where the inevitable dependence on digital technology is obvious. As the cliched saying goes, “Every coin has two sides”. Now, is there a point of return? Absolutely not. Even in spaces where some resistance is seen, eventually, they all turn to digital technology simply because everything is faster, easier and almost error-free. The industries make sure they provide consumers with the latest technology.

For instance, mobile phones supporting 2G and 3G are out of the way just as 5G emerges and the current products do not support them. Thus, the digital world has a clear effect on both social preferences and economic structures. To avoid discrepancies, the companies should work on their policies and the safety of the consumers.

What’s the Road Ahead?

Though it looks like the future holds what an average mind cannot fathom, just as the current digital technology has, they will fill every crack in human life. Artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, augmented reality and virtual reality, automation, etc. will propel the speed of human life to an unimaginable speed. Humans will eventually depend on them to get their work done. A few years ago, if anyone had said millions of transistors could be compressed into a small chip, it would have created a fit of laughter. Here we are in a world where there are 4 billion mobile phone users.

Hence, it is important for us to understand that digital technology is here to rule the world irrespective of whether or not we want it to. It is also crucial to be aware of what it brings to the table as the good and the bad come with the package. In short, it is important to accept and adapt rather than ignore or avoid it.