More like the Jettsons

The first chapter of The New Digital Age by Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen left me more irritated than anything.  The only images running through my mind were of The Jettsons and Meet the Robinsons.  Think of how out-of-this-world The Jettsons world seemed, much of it is still out of reach for today's technology, as is traveling by bubbles in Meet the Robinsons.

As amazing as some of these technological ideas the authors have, I picture our society failing because of many of them.  What would people do to make a living if most of the jobs are done by robots?  What happens when auto pilot fails in vehicles while the "driver" is sitting in the back seat? An implant in my nose that warns me when there's unhealthy germs in the air? We might as well live in a bubble.  All of the medical technology explained ways to keep people alive.  Death is horribly hard, but people aren't  supposed to live forever!  We're not supposed to be able to re-grow limbs like a lizard! The average life span is already high. Yes, we would love to spend countless years with our loved ones, however there's a point where its cruel and probably a bit scary to see grandma like that.

 Majority of our society would use huge technological advances like described in this chapter to allow for more laziness.  In comes Wall-e; obese people floating in chairs that take them where they want to go, and technology doing every ounce of work for them down to brushing teeth.

The sad part is, half of the technology they speak of is on its way! I'm already saddened by my generation, myself included, at how much we rely on technology.  How am I going to learn to survive on my own if technology is constantly living my life for me?  Sure, it'd be great if a hologram could be at a kids soccer game while you're really at work. NO! Are you kidding me? Priorities, people.  It's called time management.

The only technology idea I truly enjoyed while reading this chapter is the idea of a bed that massages me awake.  Yes, please.

Fire Up! But hurry, soon something might just do it for you!