Technology and ‘Ancient’ Modern Life!

I found the reading in America Calling to be quite interesting. I think it’s a perfect example of the evolution of man through its different stages. Evolution is not just restricted to Anthropological observation but more so by the change in man’s society and human environment. The initial pages talks about the ever-so famous Debate about whether Technology and Modern Inventions have decreased the qualitative aspect of living our life by making humans rely more on convenience which makes them less pro-active. In 2007, this does seem like a needless topic of conversation as technology has penetrated all of our lives in, as some would say, irreparable ways. I also notice similar sentiment in some of the earlier posts. But try and think back. Way back. When having a telephone was considered a novelty. When the decision every month was not whether to renew the Time Warner Cable Internet and Digital Phone Services, but rather if there could exist a way to communicate faster than sending messages through telegraph and the odd voice call. In man’s history, if there has been any one avenue where he has seen the most change, it is undoubtedly Technology. And the aspect of Technology that has impacted man the most is Communication.

I was particularly interested in AT&T’s 1916 Public Announcement where they say that, the subscriber is the dominant factor. “His ever growing requirements inspire invention”. Worth noticing that every successful invention has had one thing in common. It all starts with one simple idea that would impact the lives of many (lets not think of the modern semi-conductor or Biological cloning technologies!). This simple an idea then leads to a chain reaction if successful. And the more people it applies to or targets, the more successful the invention. AT&T got it right with the Telephone. And boy, did they get something right. They did not perceive (then) that it would lead to many new technologies (dialing up to a local server and having a secured connection!). But they kept the golden principle in mind; ‘Subscriber is king’. It was only time before they hit the right chord, and the ‘bells’ starting ringing!