There was once a time when the idea of a full 64 bit 480p touch screen monitor being as thin as a piece of paper was considered science fiction. But then again, most things we own and take for granted everyday were once the subject of fantasy. Whether you're using a home kitchen appliance, or an android-based Samsung phone, it's pretty incredible to think how far humanity has pushed the limits of what can be done with electricity, metal and silicon. In fact, it's amazing that the laws of physics are made to allow for such gadgets to exist in the first place.
Technology comes in many forms; the wheel itself is a piece of technology, and we use it on a daily basis. It's simple, efficient, and can be rotated as many times as is necessary for whatever task we give it. The basic idea of the wheel can be changed and modified in size and material, but the core structure is good and does not need to be improved upon. You can't exactly roll a wheelbarrow on two triangles now, can you? Thus the term “reinventing the wheel”. So far it hasn't been done.
The advances made in science and nanotechnology in the past few decades have opened up a whole new universe of possibility. Humanity's understanding of atoms and the laws of physics in general have allowed technicians to fit billions of abacuses in the palm of your hand. Technology has gone from being used to accomplish brute force work to feeding our minds and intellect as well. Rechargeable batteries are smaller and more efficient and are getting better all the time. But what does all this really water down to?
What is the purpose of all this advancement? Why are silicon computers and hand held devices advancing so much faster than everything else? Humanity is a vain race that wishes to further it's own interests and expose itself to what it finds pleasurable, and it seems we have found something that keeps us interested for long periods of time: Computers.
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