Absolutely nothing sounds more frustrating than technology not working as it is supposed to – the computer crashing, the Internet being down, or even the ceiling fan not working. This is simply because technology has made us so dependent on it and has accustomed them to live a life that is easy, simple, and hassle-free.
Technology has entered nearly all spheres of our lives: healthcare, comfort, banking, and so on. Some might say that technology is flawed, while some might claim that technology has made their lives so much better for the best!
But in general, exactly how does technology affect us? Does it improve our quality of life? Read on to find out.
Comfort, comfort, and more comfort
If you were to ask me, one of the biggest advantages of technology is the sheer comfort that we have had the opportunity to experience. We are at the stage where we can customize our daily lives as per our tastes and preferences. What could be easier than opening an app, browsing through options, and finally placing your order once you feel hungry?
Even with your chores, there is a lot of automation going around. Appliances like washers, matching cleaners, dishwashers, coffee makers, and so on are all created with the help of technology. Some of you might argue that all this is only making us lazier, but then again in such cases, you can straightaway walk on the treadmill, cross trainer, or any similar pieces of equipment to get back to shape! You can definitely claim that technology has made our lives very convenient by making available to us excellent modes of transportation like flights, trains, and, of course, cars.
Nowadays, millennials cannot even imagine life without access to the Internet for a couple of minutes. It is actually ironic to think that there was a time just a couple of short decades ago that the Internet was unheard of. So, most certainly, we are living more convenient and comfortable lives with the help of technology.
Improved health care
With prevailing pollution and other issues, we need better health care. This is being made possible with everyday improvements in health practices and medicine in general. For example, it is only because of the Internet that doctors can communicate with their patients located halfway across the globe. This is one of the biggest plus points of technology as health care has become more accessible in addition to being affordable.
Whether it is an infection as trivial like the common cold or a disease that is more serious in nature like cancer, we have medication and treatments that can help to considerably reduce the symptoms of these diseases and actually save the patient.
The shining example of improved quality of life is better vaccination which has helped to eliminate deadly diseases such as smallpox, leprosy, and polio. History bears testimony to the fact that these diseases created widespread fear due to the number of lives it claimed once it became an epidemic. Fortunately, we are at a stage where these diseases have become a thing of the past. Again, technology is helping us live healthier and safer lives.
Better productivity and business opportunities
Technology can be helpful to save money and enjoy the chance of earning higher profits. If you are the proud owner of an e-commerce business, for example, your customers can take advantage of the electronic facilities to place orders for products created by you. On the other hand, you can use technology to firstly create high-quality products, and lastly, deliver the products to the customers. This, in turn, helps you meet the demand within a short span of time.
The other sphere that life has become easier is online banking where you can access and exercise money via online portals. You can also save more cash as online shopping gives you the opportunity to enjoy the heavy discounts as well as compare prices of a similar piece of apparel on different shopping sites. The options when it comes to opportunity is really sky-high. Hence, technology has provided that necessary boost to help amplify business productivity and opportunity availability.
So, what is the end verdict?
I am sure that, at the moment, you will agree that technology has made our lives more convenient. The bigger question is whether it is also making our lives happier?
The answer, my friend, is a lot more complicated than it looks.
Let’s discuss social media to understand this situation better. With so many social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, people are taking advantage of the anonymity to bully people. Sometimes, this bullying extends to driving the victim to the point of committing suicide. Or even the potential hacking of these social media accounts has put our private and important information at higher risk. Then, of course, is the fact that we tend to constantly compare ourselves to the lives of others with the “grass is always greener on the other side” mentality. Not only can this be really negative for our mental health, but it also affects us physically and socially.
And just like two sides of the same coin, technology has created happiness by bridging the distance between people throughout the world. We get to experience better transportation, improved education, and strengthening relations.
Finally, whether or not technology affects our quality of lives positively comes down to personal choice, culture, and perseverance. Technology is not going anywhere due to the efficiency, comfort, cleanliness, and the improvements it has instilled in our day-to-day operation.
You, as an individual, have to make a decision and take measures to protect yourself from the negatives of technology. At the end of the day, happiness is a state of mind and ultimately comes from within.
Resources – Health Tech Zone, The Next Web, Sirrus