Tech Invention That Will Shape This Century, Essay Example

Even though internet had penetrated a substantial number of households by the end of the twentieth century, at least in developed countries, we are still only witnessing the tip of the iceberg. Internet is the invention that will shape this century and radically transform the human societies in almost every sphere of life. We are already seeing the impact of internet everywhere we see including media, commerce, consumer lifestyle, and politics. Now that we have already seen some potential of the internet, it is relatively easier to predict future trends as compared to the past when even the concept of ‘internet’ would have been a challenge for most of us to comprehend.

One area where internet will have a huge impact is the health sector. Physicians will be able to diagnose patients without patients needing to come to the health clinic or hospital. Physicians will also be able to monitor patients’ health round-the-clock through harmless nanochips that could be inserted into patients’ bodies. The patients won’t have to manually monitor their own health stats such as blood pressure and diabetes etc. since the information will be automatically accessible anytime on portable gadgets such as cell phones. Elderly won’t have to manually call for emergency assistance since portable health devices will automatically do so once they detect a change in the patients’ vital signs.

Another industry that will be revolutionized due to internet technologies is the automobile industry. The cars will be self-driven and will also be safer. This is because all cars will be digitally connected with each other and the sensors will continue to monitor the nearby cars as well as other physical objects. The cars will be able to drive themselves to any destination, thanks to GPS. In addition, the cars involved in accidents will automatically send a signal for help along with the location.

Internet will further change our shopping habits. Companies like Amazon.com are the Wal-Marts of tomorrow. Now we still go to brick-and-mortar stores to buy perishable food items and other everyday use goods. But internet companies may invest themselves or partner with efficient shipping companies such as FedEx and UPS to deliver perishable food items to customers at home. The customers may place orders and the items may be delivered within hours or even less than that. Of course, this may call for substantial improvements in internet companies’ supply chain networks but this is not an impossible task, given the progress that has been made in supply chain networks over the last few decades.

Internet will also revolutionize the education sector. For the first time, we have serious challengers to traditional classroom structures. Blackboards may be replaced by electronic boards while books and pencils/pens will be replaced by tablet devices. Tablet devices will not only lower the load students have to carry every day to school but will also fundamentally improve the learning process. Unlike paper books, tablet devices can incorporate interactive features such as videos and animated demonstrations. Books will also become cheaper because e-books are in digital format and each additional copy can be produced with almost zero marginal cost.

Internet will not only make our lives simpler but will also help us improve our productive efficiency and improve our quality of lives. We will be able to achieve more within a given period of time which means we could effectively balance work and family lives.