As human beings, our species requires five major elements for survival: Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen and Nitrogen; which contribute to 96% of our overall genetic makeup. The 5th major element that contributes to our survival is technology. Ok, some biology textbooks might not state that “Technology”is considered to be the 5th element, but we all know it’s true.

Technology plays such a significant role in our day to day lives, from the time our alarm clocks or cell phones wake us up in the mornings, to the electricity that powers our homes, the gas that fuels our automobiles, and the networks that provide us information across the globe. We are exposed to technology before we are even aware that we are human beings by use of ultrasounds while inside the womb. Our children use “smart boards” and tablet devices in the classrooms and we use “mirroring” devices to display our screens for presentations in the office place. There are even robots in surgery rooms removing gall bladders and prostates, and performing hysterectomies that allow for more precise movement than the human hand.

We’ve evolved so much as human beings that if we were to go back 2.5 million years ago to the Paleolithic Era to meet our ancestors, how would we even communicate with one another? Our stone-aged ancestor’s greatest technological development was the use of the stone. Little did they know, after millions of years, that stone would set the path for the most unimaginable advancements in technology ever known by human beings in the history of our universe.

As a member of the “Millennial Generation,” I was raised with the benefits of advanced technology from a very young age. I recall computer courses being a part of my regular curriculum from the time I was in Kindergarten in the late 80’s. In addition to my educational exposure to technology, I mastered many Atari and Nintendo games throughout my early childhood years. (I still take pride in my high scores to this day!) The prominence of computer science throughout my upbringing resulted in the inevitable passion for technology that I possess today.

Our current generation, Generation Z, is the most advanced breed in terms of technology, that they’re almost clueless when it comes to primitive technological practices, such writing with pens and paper and flipping through actual books instead of using iPads or tablets. I can’t wait to see the incredible inventions that will come from this group. It’s even more intriguing to think of what will come from their children and their children’s children.

With unlimited access to the web with our computers, tablets and mobile devices, the world is literally at our fingertips. We can communicate with friends and family members on the other side of the planet from the palm of our hand. We can even view images of neighboring planets and galaxies that are millions of light-years away. As a species, we have never been more advanced than what we are today. The best part about that statement is…tomorrow is another day!!!

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