A Glimpse into Technological Evolution ??

Greetings, dear readers! Welcome to this week's newsletter. Firstly my apologies for not publishing last week's newsletter. I was simply snowed under with work ( which is not a bad thing !)?

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As we step into another week, I invite you to join me on a journey that transcends time – from the black and white days of yore to the boundless possibilities of the digital age. In this edition, I delve into the captivating narrative of technological evolution, exploring how the landscape of education, communication, and societal values has been forever altered. From the era of memorization to the era of instant answers, I contemplate the implications of our ever-changing relationship with technology. Join me as I reflect on the past, embrace the present, and ponder the future in our captivating feature story.?????

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Stay tuned for a thought-provoking exploration that challenges us to consider the delicate balance between progress and preservation. Happy reading!?????

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Reflecting on Technological Evolution: What Were We Thinking and What Have We Done!

I grew up in the pre-digital age - pre-mobile age and pre-computer age.

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It was the era of black and white, B&W TV, B&W newspapers, and books that were black and white.

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Success seemed attainable through the trajectory of school, university, a flourishing business career, and a content life. The journey appeared uncomplicated, and the rewards proved abundant!

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Access to information and connectivity with friends and family were modest compared to the digital abundance we experience today.

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During those times, schools drilled facts and figures into young minds. Success was often reserved for those with exceptional memory, propelling them toward university and their desired careers.

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Let's explore how history was introduced to children. The powers-that-be covered a broad historical landscape – 1770, 1987, 1900, 1914, 1941, and more. (e.g. : 1770 - Captain Cook arrived in Australia 1787 - The British planted a flag in Australia 1900 - The Australian nation emerged 1914 - World War I commenced 1945 - World War II concluded)

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Mathematics followed a similar path, requiring memorization of times tables and the rules for using trigonometric functions. This was the age before calculators; slide rulers were the tools of choice.

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English, with its complex rules and grammar, posed its own challenges. The distinction between nouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives, knowing when to follow "i" before "e," and mastering pronouns – these were the building blocks for effective communication.

Fortunately, the world saw technological wonders that transformed black and white into vibrant colour.

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One of my favourites was the introduction of the Calculator, particularly the HP series. These devices stored financial, scientific, and engineering formulas, relieving us from the burden of memory. Then came the digital revolution – the internet and mobile phones – bridging communication gaps and granting instant access to information.

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Today, asking a smartphone fills gaps in knowledge about historical events. No longer must kids labour over history books or struggle to remember dates; the phone suffices. But with convenience comes the question: What repercussions might arise from forsaking the lessons of history?

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In the dawn of the AI era, tools like ChatGPT have emerged, refining language skills and aiding communication. With basic instruction, ChatGPT enhances output, akin to calculators aiding mathematical tasks. The question arises – what's at stake when technology mitigates the need to learn essential skills?

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Amid these advances, let's step back and examine their impact on the generations born after the black and white era.

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This new generation faces an educational system that isn't bound by rote memorization. They simply need an iPhone and basic YouTube tutorials on language, numbers, and world events. A successful business career may rest on the upkeep of software and hardware upgrades.

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The digital era's youth doesn't waste time on memorization. Instead, they pioneer novel careers and communication methods. The most coveted role is that of a social media "influencer" with a legion of followers. This career is accessible to both genders, requiring little more than a knack for selfies and basic Photoshop skills.

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The digital era also witnessed the rise of new religious groups, exemplified by the Kardashian followers. These trends may amuse, but they harbour deeper consequences. The digital generation is falling into an education system marked by instant answers from AI assistants like Siri or Alexa.

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Social media platforms dominate the digital generation's lives, impacting billions in real time. They wield influence akin to major news outlets or governmental communications, yet they may lack transparency and reliability.

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Consider the Covid crisis. Two factions emerged – one trusting established sources and another sceptical of the narrative. This crisis reveals the influence of digital platforms on beliefs and behaviours. Those adhering to lockdown rules were often deterred from questioning authority, while those who questioned faced resistance from both legal and social avenues.

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Did the digitally-savvy, reliant on mobile phones, react differently from the pre-digital generation, educated through traditional means?

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Observations show an intriguing trend. The digital era relies heavily on social media influencers, often exposed to one-sided news. Despite this, they predominantly followed Covid rules. The pre-digital generation, not swayed by influencers, reacted similarly.

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The difference lay in their faith in government and established news sources. They assumed that governments, with access to data and experts, would navigate the crisis effectively. News media, once the watchdogs of power, cemented this belief.

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As the digital narrative unfolds, a pertinent question remains. Are we entrusting too much power to technology? The reflections in this article compel us to examine the implications of trading traditional education and wisdom for instant answers. Amidst the deluge of digital convenience, can we ensure that our values, integrity, and societal consciousness remain intact??

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In this epoch of instant answers and unparalleled connectivity, we stand on the cusp of a new reality. The reflection upon our technological trajectory is not an exercise in nostalgia, but a call to thoughtfulness. The embrace of technology, while undoubtedly enhancing our lives, demands that we ponder the implications of relinquishing some aspects of our traditional knowledge and wisdom.

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As we forge ahead into an age where algorithms refine our words and screens narrate our stories, we are summoned to remain vigilant. We must tread with awareness, cherishing the advances that augment our lives while upholding the values that have weathered the tests of time. The narrative of technological evolution continues, and in its continuation, we are tasked with shaping a tomorrow that bridges progress with prudence, innovation with integrity, and connectivity with consciousness.

#PoV #Consulting #TechnologyEvolution #DigitalAge #GenerationalShift #Digital

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Top Ten: Here's a list of 10 things you could do in the pre-digital age that you can't quite do the same way today,?

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1. Get Lost Without GPS: Remember the thrill of getting lost in the middle of nowhere without the comforting voice of a GPS? Ah, the joy of unfolding paper maps and arguing over directions!
2. Mingle Without Selfies: Back then, people actually had conversations without the constant interruption of selfie-taking. No need to strike the perfect pose to prove you exist.
3. Master the Art of Phone Dialing: Before touchscreens, you had to be a ninja with those rotary dials. And misdialing? A true test of your finger precision.
4. Find True Patience: Waiting for your film to be developed before seeing if your pictures were Instagram-worthy? Now that was an exercise in patience.
5. Blame the Dog for Homework: The dog-ate-my-homework excuse actually worked when there were physical copies involved. Now, no excuse can escape the digital trail.
6. Read a Physical Newspaper: The rustle of pages, the smudgy ink on your fingers – nothing quite beat the tactile experience of a good ol' newspaper.
7. Socialize in the Great Outdoors: You actually had to venture outside to meet friends. No swiping right from the comfort of your cozy couch.
8. Memorize Phone Numbers: In the pre-digital era, you could recite your best friend's phone number by heart. Today, you're just one tap away from speed-dial bliss.
9. Use "Google" as a Verb: "Let me Google that for you" wasn't even a thing. Instead, you relied on encyclopedias and had to make wild guesses in trivia arguments.
10. Experience "Real" Privacy: A world without smartphones meant conversations were just that – conversations. No digital eavesdroppers or data miners involved.

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Important message ??

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