Have you ever stopped to think how much life has changed for the everyday consumer since 1977, when the personal computer industry officially began?
Over the last forty-six years, computer technology has been embraced by the average user, from desktops to laptops to tablets to smartphones. Most of us have some understanding of computing terms such as CPU (central processing unit) or RAM (random-access memory) or read-only memory (ROM) such as CD and DVD. But many people just want to know enough to use the technology they have to perform the tasks they want to accomplish. With that minimal knowledge, one can successfully shop online, book travel, bank, and schedule medical appointments.
Frankly, technology can be intimidating for some, while others have an insatiable appetite to stay on the cutting edge. For example, while some of us are still trying to understand the concept of holograms, there are nightly sold-out shows in England to watch ABBA perform a musical show — all in hologram!
In recent months, ChatGPT has become the technological buzzword. Some people are unsure how it is used, but a recent church service in Germany was written entirely by ChatGPT and spoken via avatars. Technophiles now tell us that digital IDs and digital currencies are coming soon, but these technologies may pose grave threats to freedom when they are implemented. Soon, we may not be allowed to enter a grocery store until we have downloaded their app. Already, young people have fully embraced the idea of shopping and paying with the wave of their palm (in such places as Whole Foods and Amazon). Technology is already deeply woven into our daily lives, while amazing new technologies are constantly being developed and tested.