Future Forwards

“And so I ask: When did you first feel space collapse under the weight of some satellites and a clunky handset?” — Craig Mod

Craig Mod wrote a wonderful piece that gives us a peek behind the curtain to his past and lasting moments of how technology helped influence and define him. Craig then asked us all to reflect on those moments that technology impacted us all.

If I were to look through the lens of technology, I’d like to not reflect on the past and of the building blocks of my youth. What I would rather focus on are those of my daughter. Of the future. Of my future. Of my six year old being raised on Siri, Google now, and FaceTime. Things that Sci Fi predicted in my youth are now things of fact.

We tend to call a lot of these changes, disruption.

When envisioning the future, I can envision an older self. Still obsessed with basketball ( although with more aches and pains than I have now ) I’ll probably marvel at a newly created 4 point line and occasionally shake my imaginary cane ( say it aint so ) and recall those times, the amazing times of past.

You know those times …

A time when we controlled “TV’s” with a “remote control.” What do you mean, what’s “TV?”

A time when media existed. The physicality of media I should say. You know, 8 tracks, cassette tapes, compact discs, Laser Discs, DVD’s, Blu Ray, the list goes on and on. Even more remarkable, we had brick and mortar stores that were filled of these objects that we could touch and consume.

A time when we still used petroleum with such ease and carelessness. What me? What do I have to worry about?

A time when the continual yearly proclamations of record setting heat is greeted with glossy eyes, shrugged shoulders and the visions of those famous three monkeys … Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

I’m continually blown away by our collective technological advancement, yet equally shocked by our refusal to impact our children’s future(s).

In response to Craigs original question, I feel space collapse . . . under the weight of shame and embarrassment of not doing enough, now. Right now.

So I ask. Hey Craig . . .

Can the technology that we are so transfixed by, fix us?