Innovation Call

On April 15, the then biggest passenger liner, Titanic, sank in the Northern Atlantic Ocean after a collision with an iceberg. The year was 1912. A century later, today, a ship of that magnitude, thanks to technology, is assured to have SONAR, which has the capacity to track anything under the water surface. Apart from that, every other nautical system will be integrated with the computer leading to a much safer voyage.

Technology has defined the world as we know it today. Without it, our world with the sun and the moon would still be a darker place. Let us examine the effect, technological innovations have had in various fields.

Communication

Once, the world was beyond a man’s grasp. Now, man holds the world in his palm; Cell Phone. Telecom operators are willing to connect to any corner of the world. And, something called as the Internet, came into prominence in the nineties. Social networking sites which are based on this internet have made people closer than ever; enabling them to share anything and everything with anyone and everyone in this world.

Travel

Yes, air travel started much before the technological boom. But, one must remember that it was technology that made air travel safer and cheaper, so that every human could afford it.
Space was believed, to belong to the Gods. Later, few privileged men called Astronauts had access to them. Heard of Space Tourism? Buckle up, because in a few years, you could celebrate Christmas on the moon, with your family; again, Mr. Technology being the one, you want to thank.

Medicine

Pacemakers, orthopedic shoes, insulin pens, MRI scanners, modern surgical instruments, life-supporting machines and the list, goes on. Innovations in medical technology has resulted in earlier diagnosis, less invasive treatment options, reduction in hospital stays and lesser rehabilitation times. Technology in laboratories has lead to analysis and discovery of cure for various life-threatening diseases. Robots performing critical operations that need very high accuracy call for a special mention. Saving lives has always been a noble cause. Technology has been immensely helpful in doing that very often.

Business

Business was still thriving without technology as there was no shortage in man’s drive for money and wealth. But, these days business has been made much easier, simpler and better. Deals sanctioned in teleconferencing, money carried in fancy cards reducing the risk of theft, transactions done via internet and mobile banking, are all consummate examples of the role played by technology in Business.

One thing that has stormed the shopping domain in recent years is online retailing. With very less or no delivery charges people are finding it delightful, to buy their daily requirements from the comfort of their homes.

Entertainment

From computer video games to movies involving dystopian societies, technology has had its role to play in entertainment. High Quality video prints and High Definition television service using satellite broadcasting are real crowns in entertainment. It created a new world called virtual reality, and with it, man can do even the unthinkable.

Sports

From sports persons to manufacturers, everyone is seeking a technological edge. Advances in material science, bio-mechanics, carbon nanotechnology and computational fluid dynamics are enabling the athletes to maximize their training and performance. Technology has changed every aspect of sports including coaching, judging, design of sport arenas and spectator experience.

There are other few fields were technological innovations have lead to serious growth. The role played by technology in modern warfare, can be cited as an example. But, has this growth eased up relations between countries or strained them (?) is a whole new debate. The only thing that should be taken care of is; Does a human retains his human nature in his quest for modern weapons?

Technology has undoubtedly given us many things. But everything comes at a cost. Overuse of certain technology has laid threat to the natural resources of the world. Now, the world is analyzing and moving towards the use of green technology that will have negligible effect on the environment.

With so much advancement in technology happening every day, we are posed with certain questions. Are we being over reliant on technology? Does this reduce the human values? I believe that everything shall be fine when one thing is kept in mind; Technology is to serve humans and not contrariwise.