A World of Constant Upgrades

Living in this digital age has taught me many things, but the most prominent lesson I have learned is this: technology moves at an astonishing rate.  Being a computer science major, as well as an avid geek, I’ve known this for quite some time, it just sat in my mind as a constant.  The concepts of convergence and advancements always just stuck in my mind, almost subconsciously.  I still find myself saying “Well there’s always going to be a new laptop that comes out, I’ll just wait for it.”  Technology is constantly changing, and it doesn’t even need to be centered on computers.  Cars, especially this massive push for fuel-economic cars and EV/Hybrid cars, have come so quickly in such a short time.  In a fantastic way, Tesla is shaking up the automotive market in ways never thought possible.  Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla Motors is pushing the envelope when it comes to what we’ve called the “electric car”.  He is even taking a jab at the way we travel cross country, with his radical tube transportation system, dubbed the “hyperloop”.  In his own way, Musk is shaking up what we have come to know and accept as a ‘standard’ and bring it to a level we would only see in a science-fiction movie.

Technology has always been a large influence in my life.  Growing up in the 90s, I had AOL.  I believe I was one of the few kids in my class to have a decent internet connection, when this World Wide Web was still in its public infancy.  First hand, I encountered the flourishing of websites; the HTML standard become developed and implemented.  One of my fondest childhood memories is walking into my room and watching my father hook up my Nintendo 64, which, at the time, was the pinnacle of gaming.  I sat with him for hours, playing Mario Kart, racing the same eight maps over and over.  It was nothing short of beautiful.  Many years were spent button mashing my old N64 controller.  Fast forward some years, and it is Christmas morning with a young child unwrapping a brand new PlayStation 2.  A similar scene followed, but this time with all of my family around the new device, passing the controller around to play Gran Turismo 3 on a chilly December morning.  But naturally, as the power of technology increased, better consoles were released, with better graphics and more processing power.  Now, both my Nintendo 64 and my PS2 sit above my TV on a shelf, above my new current console: the Xbox 360.  I’ve attributed their place on my shelf to grandparents, watching over their family.  They serve as a poignant reminder of the past, as well as a glimpse into the future.

As I type this, I am also reminded how technology has changed because my laptop is juxtaposed between my old phone on my left and my new one to my right.  Recently, I upgraded my old Motorola RAZR to an HTC One.  My old phone was nothing short of a perfect device.  When I first ordered it, I remember booting it for the first time and watching the Motorola logo fly on and off the screen, then going through the set up process.  Over the years, the phone has survived many falls and software issues; aptly assuming the name “Tank”.  Many memories were captured through the 10 megapixel camera sensor and stored for later reminiscence.  But naturally, technology increases and what was the best and boldest phone a year ago cannot hold a candle to what sits on my right.  The HTC One, released this year is a masterpiece of engineering and marketing combined.  With top of the line processing power, as well as a beautiful form factor, this phone quickly became my new pocket computer.  But it is a blank slate.  It has no memories.  Just my old contacts that were pulled down from my Google account at activation.  I see both of these devices as a testament to technology because soon I will feel the same way with my new phone as I did with my old one.  Before I know it, I’ll have to retire the HTC One for something newer and faster.  The digital age will never cease to exist, it will only upgrade itself and become something that is much better, just like technology has evolved.

Hyperloop: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-12/revealed-elon-musk-explains-the-hyperloop