My thoughts on... Technology

Technology.

I have a love and hate relationship with technology and science.

For many years in high school, I was the first person to get every new piece of technology. I had the first iPod. The first Laptop. New phone? Must have. Cool new kitchen gadget? Consider it bought.

However, as years passed, I stopped pining after all these innovative new products. I couldn't care less if a TV ad came on for a new vacuum or trash compactor.

My main issue is this:
Why, after all these 'technological developments,' (designed with easing housework and lessening the time necessary to clean) does it take the same time to clean a house as it did in the 1950s?

We haven't made anything easier. We have, in my opinion, made it more complicated to do a simple task. Oh, I take a picture? Cool. Post to Facebook. Instagram. Twitpic it. It used to be if you wanted something pretty, you go print it and show it to people face to face. Those types of interactions have vastly changed.

Back in the 1950s, there were no 'carpet pre-cleaning serums' nor 'carpet deodorizers.' We've invented these products to appeal to the masses - Oh, hey, this product will make blahblah easier and quicker for you!.... But only if you use these specific products in this order!

This 'advance' in technology and science is an illusion. I am not saying there aren't advances. There are. But coming at it from a purely pragmatic point of view, advances should make things more efficient. So far, I have yet to be hugely impressed by any product that claims to make anything more efficient.

I'm waiting for the world to wake up and realize we don't need dishwashers that cost $1000. We have our hands and soap. We don't need $5 skin-safe, tough-on-grease dish detergent. We have regular soap. We don't need a garburator to dispose of our waste. And whoever thinks their carpets will be (or even look) cleaner with special pre-treatment and serum-soaking? You're deluded. No one is taking out a microscope to look at your carpets. It isn't like in those commercials... no one cares about microscopic bacteria.

Okay, okay, you say you have kids and they're allergic to these bacteria and they'll get sick.
Haven't you read any of the latest medical journals? Most studies now show that we NEED bacteria, and we SHOULD be exposed to germs. These build our immune systems and strengthen us. I'm not saying you should stuff your infant's face into the carpet and demand them to breathe... I'm saying YOU SHOULD.

Breathe. Relax. Understand that microscopic bacteria exists whether you try your darnest to prevent it. Understand that life finds a way... and that all these technological and scientific advances won't necessarily make your life easier.

Simply, make life easier by eliminating the things you know you don't need. Live simply. Back in the caveman days, an alpha male would spent about 20 hours a week hunting and gathering. Then the rest of the time? Socializing. Eating. Finding women. Rearing children. Telling stories. Singing.
Our society expects 40+ hours from us. And people are still starving and struggling. Think about it.