As the numbers on the calendar change, so does the world experiences new things. The world has been facing, adopting and adapting continuous changes since ever. However, I don't think the world would have experienced this much rapid changes over the course of its known history as it has witnessed in the twenty-first century. The reason is the technological advancement in the field of telecommunication. The advancement in this field has made the whole world a global village. It has increased the level of awareness among people. It has given people the voice. It has made it possible for the whole world to connect and communicate in no time. It has made those things happening that otherwise would seem impossible. It has made great impact in the life styles and attitude of people. It has altered the way one shops, rocks and mocks.
My favorite technological advancement is the advancement in telecommunication
The following text enlists the reasons.
🕯It made communication easier and smarter
As the telecommunication technology the connection is becoming faster, easier, cheaper and smarter. I remember a time (and it is not a very old story; only about two decades ago) when my mom went to a distant phone booth where she could book a call of 3 minutes to another city (where lived her mom). The landline available at our home didn't provide us the facility to make a call out of station. This 3 minutes call not only took so much time to take the whole process to be done, but also it cost a lot. Now it's the time when we can connect not only to another city within our country but also across the borders. Not only our voices are shared but also we can share anything via videos and images. And this all can be done lying on our beds. This way it has reduced distances bringing people closer to each other while they are physically apart.
🕯Learning has entered a new phase
I remember the time when I asked my cousin to tell me the recipe of chocolate pudding she learnt at an institute. She was so reluctant to tell. In the era the learning of anything was an expensive and time taking thing. First you had to search for a source of learning, then you had to pay for this; and also had to spend (waste) time in reaching out to the source.
The advancement in telecommunication is altered the mode of learning. At this time there is nothing that you cannot learn if you really want it. The information is available in abundance on the internet. You can look for anything sitting comfortably at a chair in your bedroom. I learnt to cook several dishes via videos available on thee internet. I learnt to cut, stitch and design dresses without going outside of home and without spending any money. I no longer had to beg any cousin or aunt to share anything she was reluctant to share. I didn't have to travel in public transports on broken roads to reach the learning institutes. For all these skills I owe to the telecommunication advancement.
🕯 It has brought uncountable resources at our disposal
For those who are related to field of information, one way or the other, would attest to the fact that telecom advancement has made their work easier. Thousands of research papers across the globe are within our reach. Thousands of books are in our access today. Many of these resources are free of cost. For others we may have to pay, but the things are worth paying. If the telecom wasn't that it is today we won't even know that such and such information, knowledge and research even exist.
Looking for the kind of information you need is easier to access. Think of searching a required piece of research in a library of thousand books with thousand of page. (Do you remember looking for a word in dictionary? I think it was the easiest thing to search.) On the other, you just have to type the words on a search engine and the required information is at your disposal in no time.
Besides, there might be something that you want to purchase but is not available in your area. You can search it on internet at various shopping sites. Thus the telecom advancement made it possible to access the items that otherwise would be impossible to attain.
🕯You are connected everywhere every time.
With the advancement in telecom technology and introduction of Wi-Fi (and its continuous growth from 2G to 5G Data connections) has made it possible to connect at any place; whether we are walking on a road or travelling in a train. There is no longer a need to be at a particular place for connection.
The freedom from cord brought the freedom to get the required information at any time. We no longer have to go to an internet café or a desk to look for the information on our PCs. With this feature the telecom advancement made several tasks easier. How many of us would have used the google maps to reach our destinations. Without a Wi-Fi or data connection, it wouldn't be possible.
🕯Entertainment has become easier and cheaper
I remember the time when DVD player was the latest technology for the entertainment at home. My brother used to go to the market to buy DVDs. He spent a lot of money on them. After spending this much money, there were movies he never liked (a total waste of money 😲). Moreover, we needed a space to keep those DVDs and DVD player.
At the present time many of the movies and seasons are available free of cost. Some channels may cost but it is not as much as was the cost of those DVDs. Moreover, no space of our home is occupied by the player or the plastic. Hundred of movies can be kept in the memories of our smartphones, laptops or USBs.
🕯 It opened up several opportunities to earn
We, all the Hivians, know quite well how the advancement in telecommunication sector has brought us opportunities to earn money for our living. Blogging, vlogging, advertisement, teaching and e-commerce are some of the ways to earn money via internet.
There is no doubt that I appreciate the advancement in the field of telecommunication for the aforementioned and many other reasons. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that I overlook the potential negative effects it accompanies. I acknowledge its cons as well:
🕯It has snatched simple joys of life.
There was a time when we had get together with cousins and relative, we had laughter, giggles , gossips and chatters. We played several indoor games teasing and mocking at each other. Those moments became so memorable and joyful. These days, in the gatherings, everyone keeps busy with the smartphones in their hands. We now lack on those enjoyments.
The other day, I was playing with my husband's 6 months old nephew. His facial expressions, giggles and moves were so refreshing. I asked my husband to look at him. He just had a bird eye view and then he was busy again in watching his mobile screen. There are several of such joys we are missing because of the advancement in telecom.
🕯It has widened the distances.
Yes, I know, I claimed above that it reduced distances. It certainly has reduced distances among those who are physically a part but it has taken our closest ones quite away from each other. We are so involved with our mobiles that we are not left with quality time for those with whom we share a bed.
🕯It has made us blind and deaf.
We no longer see and hear what we easily could in the era without smart phones. We have no time to hear what our kids and parents have to tell us.
Sometimes, it happens that our loved ones talk to us sitting just beside, and the words make no sense to us.
Sometimes, it happens that someone is in our need but we cannot see it just because we are so indulge in our devices.
🕯It has increased depression
The depression was never as prevalent as it is today, and the telecommunication advancement has a lot to do with it.
📍 While it has made us social in the virtual world, it has increased loneliness in the real lives.
📍 Blackmailing has become easier than before. Any fake news can go viral within minutes. It may destroy the lives of victims.
📍 Several games have found to be inducing childhood depression.
📍 The downside comparison looking at the fake presentation of bright side of people's life at social media makes us feel low.
🕯Scams are bigger
If your money and transactions are physical, you can be robbed only what is in your hands. It is not usually that big an amount that you hold physically. On the other hand, the telecom advancement has made it possible for the scammers to rob every penny laid in your bank account or in crypto wallets.
🕯It is a danger for the world's ecosystem
Researches have demonstrated that the radiation from mobile and Wi-Fi signals are the greatest reason for the destruction of honey bees' colonies. Do you know what this destruction means to the earth? It's a matter of all the other lives on the earth. Albert Einstein said
If the bee🐝 disappeared off the surface of the globe, man would have only four years to live.
FINAL WORDS
Advancement in the field of telecommunication is my favourite technological advancement. It has made life easier and comfortable in several ways. Nevertheless , it accompanies its negative effects as well. Now, it is our duty to be aware of the negative influences and consume the technology in a way so that we may more be benefitted than be harmed.
Image source by OpenClipart-Vectors
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