The industrial Revolution and it's consequences have been a DISASTER for-
Alright; perhaps that a bit extreme to start; let me go back to the beginning.
In the summer of 2001, I was brought into this lovely, lovely world we all share. Coincidentally, so was ITunes and Apple's landmark IPod. And as dystopian as it may seem; we grew up together.
The 21st Century has seen technological growth as rapidly as I've seen my own growth. For the first time. ground breaking creations and inventions were being created and evolving faster than humans themselves.
Not long after the invention of the Ipod, Apple released a device even MORE groundbreaking than the IPod; the IPhone. All before my 6th Birthday.
And to clarify, this "invention" was nothing like that in generations past. Electricity wasn't widespread until decades after the invention of the light bulb, and the Printing Press took centuries to see the fruits of Gutenburg's work become worldwide.
No, these consequences were immediate. Growing up in a rich white neighborhood, 1st grade consisted of fun games on the playground like tag, hide and seek, basketball, and four square.
2nd Grade recess was vastly different; kids all huddled in pockets around the playground, neck craned in a circle almost fighting to see the screens. It was incredible, how even at the time, despite not being able to see through the pow-wows scattered throughout the playground, I knew exactly what they were looking it.
By middle school, every child had their hands on an Iphone, and the consequences were incredibly dire. Once the girls started to hit puberty, the destructive nature of these machines took hold.
Kids were doing the things they've always done, but with a new level of apathy and ruthlessness. The days of confronting a fellow student and saying "You can't sit with us" are gone, now replaced by a mere removal from a groupchat, never forcing the art of confrontation on to the child. It was easier than ever for kids to be cruel to one another; and cruel they were.
As an introvert, I've always kept to myself; but this new techonology made it easier to exist online rather than reality. Of course no other kids were watching Japanese Pro Wrestling at age 8; but the internet allowed me to find people to relate to, and would get along with. For the first time in my life, I found a community; a community with no real estate, a unique concept all its own.
Technology ravaged the dating scene and intergender relationship. No longer were people's personal dealings subjected to the weight of childish rumors; there were videos, photos, text recordings, evidence strong enough to destroy a social life in mere 24 hours.
Cheating was now even easier than ever; technology fostered and "us vs them" mentality for students. Work became collectively shared, with new ecosystems fostering; nerds and geeks sending homework to the jocks for social capital, money, or any type of bartering.
Believe me; it was not all bad. The benefits created from the internet and the tech boom are countless and near un-ending. Unfortunately, so are the consequences.
But hey, it's all not bad. Growing up with phones didn't change us all that much. Maybe even after reading this, you'll even want to be my friend!
(On Facebook, that is)
https://tlptech.co.uk/several-pieces-of-tech-from-2001-that-changed-our-world/
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