Some time ago I came across the videos below on Facebook and they fascinated me.
Technology is AMAZING. After I got over the shock of how amazing the future looked I went back and watched the videos a little more closely.
What bothered me is the reality that this is not necessarily the technology for everyone.
I can't see schools in poor communities, or schools in middle class communities - schools that can't afford to have paper available to their students for an entire academic year without getting help from the PTO having that kind of technology available for their children.
And I know it will be a very long time before I can afford a car like that (and even then it will be a very used car).
I am in no way saying that we should not advance technology ... we have to. What I am saying is that we need to take a moment to stop and think about the reality that these kinds of technologies will enlarge the gap between the rich and the poor. There is no way to ignore the fact that the gap keeps getting larger - within a country and between countries. If a poor child in the US won't be able to see this technology in the classroom, can you imagine a child in a village in Uganda having access to it?
A part of me can't wait for whatever comes after this technology - so that I can afford some of the things here. It is reminiscent of The Jetsons (Skype is reminiscent of The Jetsons for that matter). I know that I am aging myself but when I grew up watching this cartoon I couldn't wait for my flying car, video phone, and that closet that would dress me in whatever outfit I wanted. Maybe I am getting older - but I would kind of like the technology roller coaster to slow down a little bit so I can learn to truly appreciate the newest thing .... before I have to turn it in next month for the newer version of the newest thing! If you know what I mean.
Right now, my seven year old is fascinated with dinosaurs .... since we are not this far into the future yet we will need to learn about the past the old fashioned way. We are about to go upstairs and read a book! Just an observation ......
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