Wednesday, January 7, 2004
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Wednesday, January 7, 2004 |
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Are we headed for “The Matrix?” By MICHAEL BOYLAN Technology is going too far. The other day I pulled behind an SUV at a stoplight. Inside, the passengers were watching one of my favorite movies, “Billy Madison,” so I followed the vehicle to continue watching the film. When I ended up in South Carolina, I knew I was in some trouble. I also found myself wishing for headphones and some popcorn. I realize that televisions in cars keep kids quiet on long road trips, but do people really need to watch more television? The real problem is that this isn’t going to stop here. Soon, people will install satellite dishes on their cars, which will have to be bigger to hold the dish. The dish will have a digital video recorder, so that you can record the shows you or your passengers would most like to watch. After that, the next logical step is adding mini-fridges in the back seat, followed by a small microwave that can heat up tater tots or frozen pastries for on the way to school. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it? Well, so what? When did everything have to be so easy? When you have everything that you want at your fingertips or at the press of a button, what will you do when something doesn’t come easy? Will you be prepared? I reluctantly gave in to the cell phone phenomenon. I got mine as a hand-me-down and yes, the little bugger is quite helpful. I don’t have to remember anyone’s phone number and if, heaven forbid, I get into an accident, I can call for help. But even cell phones are going too far. They added a digital camera into the phone, so that you could take pictures of things and send them to other people with phones with cameras. See the scam? You buy one and then coerce and prod others to get phones with cameras. Forget using your computer to do it. Soon all that hunk of junk will be good for is as a word processor, if that. Anything you want to do on a computer, you’ll be able to do on your television or phone. Now, I’m not proposing the banning of technology. I love TiVo and satellite radio and, yes, even my cell phone. However, I don’t think it is a good thing to get increasingly dependent on technology, especially when the new doodads become obsolete so fast. Wouldn’t it be nice to leave most of the gadgets at home? That defeats one of the main benefits of technology though - showing off. If I walk the streets with my new wristwatch phone, that doubles as a camera and a GPS device, I am cool. You may even think that I am a James Bond type, aiding in homeland security and defeating evil. When actually I am just delivering pizzas, never getting lost and calling the customer as I approach their home, taking a picture of the pizza to make sure I didn’t screw anything up. Actually, that is a pretty good idea. Computer, get me Domino’s!
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