In Vannevar Bush’s futuristic piece published in the July 1945 issue of the Atlantic, he calls for refined relationship between man and our collective knowledge. Although he may not have understood it at the time, Bush was alluding to our modern internet. Bush spoke of being able to review our past through an analytical lens, and having bulks of knowledge easily accessible. The piece continues to revere what will later be comparable to the internet, a place for all of mankind’s data. Bush looked at this concept with hope and viewed as the source of even greater growth within the scientific community. Perhaps he’s right, given the internet has opened up numerous opportunities for our growth.
However, some hold the view that society is over reliant smartphones. With the recent unveiling of the Nokia 3310, as reported by the Guardian, it’s something that’s beginning to garner more attention. The phone is truly a blast from the past, yielding its traditional buttons and small screen. There’s been recent speculation on why the company has revamped this “dumbphone” from 17 years ago. Perhaps it’s merely a marketing ploy, or a way to strike a chord with older generations.
This phone comes at time when concerns about the role of smartphones is being vocalized. Whether it’s concerns over privacy and online safety, or how we’ve become hooked onto our devices, some people tend to be wary of the rise of technology. Whereas it’s not without warrant, we can see how technology has benefitted humanity in many ways. We’ve not only survived, but thrived on the improvement of modern technology. From advances within the medical field, to improved efficiency within agriculture, we’ve been able to prolong the lifespan of humanity.