Life has, without a doubt, become quite fast-paced in recent times. Most of us blame (or even credit) modern technology for this. Instant messaging has been a boon as well as a bane; we love being able to connect with loved ones far away from us, but we have all felt the immense pressure of feeling like we need to be “online” all the time. Instant messaging literally means instant messaging, so we can’t possibly keep our friends and family waiting for our replies just because we need some time to ourselves.
Like all things in life, we need to find a balance in using technology. However, that’s all made easier when we remember that this connectedness is what makes life so wonderful. More than that, modern communication technology also helps make scientific breakthroughs possible in such short amounts of time. The collaboration it enables between scientists and researchers around the world is what drives this fast pace of discoveries and inventions. And what better way to celebrate the marvels of modern technology than by taking a look at some recent technological advancements that will potentially change the world for the better?
Gains Without the Pains
Some of the hardest jobs in the world are those that involve tough physical labor. Not coincidentally, these are also some of the most crucial jobs for society, as they form the literal building blocks of society by contributing to construction, manufacturing, and other similar industries. Without them, we would not be living comfortably in our separate bedroom houses, with our cars tucked away in our garages for quick transport to the subway, where we can comfortably ride to our offices or perhaps our favorite coffee shops…
Undoubtedly, the workers that build these infrastructures are deserving of gratitude, but they’re also deserving of technology that makes their lives easier. So what’s the good news? Latest safety equipment developments, such as an exoskeleton suit, are enabling blue-collar workers to work their jobs — without risking their physical well-being. By literally taking the load off their backs, this and other similar robotic aids are helping the workers (as well as the industry) by increasing productivity, reducing the number of on-job injuries, and giving our sore eyes some wholesome transformers style magic to witness!
Renewable Energy Drives Positive Change
Renewable energy is where the well-being of our planet lies. There are innumerable ways in which electricity improves not just our comfort but also our well-being, both individually as well as societally. And, by now, the use of energy is so deeply ingrained in the fabric of society that cutting down by reducing consumption, such as by reducing the number of people using cars, is not feasible nor equitable. The answer, therefore, lies in using alternative sources of energy that are clean and more sustainable.
The move towards renewable energy has faced many challenges, however, and has therefore been fairly slow. Nevertheless, it’s recently picking up the pace and is expected to grow dramatically in the coming years. For instance, in 2020, more than 80% of all new electricity generating projects utilized renewable energy. Solar and wind plants are popping up all around the world, and new research also shows that solar plants may have cooling effects on nearby areas — a discovery that absolutely can be used to benefit the environment.
Medical Innovations
The field of medicine has also contributed massively to the improvements in standards of living. More people are able to live better, healthier lives because of the marvel that modern medicine is. And modern medical research is not about to disappoint us, either. New technologies, such as the digital twin scan (which measures hundreds of biomarkers in a person’s body and creates a digital 3D image to represent the patient’s health status) are bound to create waves.
The digital twin would enable us to track a patient’s health at a micro-level and observe early signs of debilitating illnesses such as cancer. We’re sure that in the very near future, scans like these will become a norm and help out some of the most vulnerable members of society. No matter what new technology emerges, though, one thing that is clear: it’s a wonderful time to be alive. There’s so much exciting news all around, and we can’t wait for all the unbelievable (and honestly, magical!) things that technology still has to show us.