How has the Internet and other technological advancements changed our lives?

Prior to 1996 the Internet was basically an unknown to me. The business I worked for was very antiquated and only one person, the accountant, had Internet service. Any Internet requests were flowed through that one person. In the fall of 1996 I relocated and began working for a very technologically advanced company. This company threw me into the real business-world of 1996. The unfortunate thing is that I was one of the lucky ones and there were more that were not as fortunate. I still find myself very behind with technology but I at least have a basic understanding. What about those who are totally left behind?

The Internet has changed my life in many different ways. I spend more time shopping online and less time in shopping malls; I keep in contact with friends and family much better than before; I spend endless hours researching both for professional and personal items and the list goes on. Unfortunately, the Internet has changed my life in some ways that aren’t so great – email consumes my life and there seems to be no catching up. Could this be why our work lives are moving so quickly? Another way that the Internet has affected my life in a less than pleasant way is the information and activities available to my teenage children. It’s impossible to keep curious children from accessing information on the Internet that they shouldn’t.

As far as other technologies, i.e., cell phones, ipods, digital cameras, digital tv, they are becoming “must haves” with the newer generation. Each one brings with it a nice little price tag and the new technology generations, I think, are going to have a tough time adjusting when they leave the nest and try to start out in their own lives on an entry-level salary trying to support the technological habits they have developed.

How as the Internet and other technological advancements affected you?

Some interesting comments on this subject can be found in a blog titled - When Reality Knocks No one has all the answers, but we have some good questions.