Technological Landscape: Miniaturization, Interconnectivity and Technology Turnovers

Our generation’s technological landscape has largely been defined by three prevailing trends. The first of these is miniaturization. Miniaturization doesn’t necessarily entail electronic devices becoming tinier (as attested to by the iPad, which is practically a large iPhone minus the “phone” part).  Rather, it is the capacity to stuff more processing power in smaller and smaller silicon spaces. What this means is that, since the amount of resources consumed is diminished, production costs for technologies have become cheaper, making the devices affordable to more and more people.

Secondly, we have the trend of interconnectivity. Further advancements in internet usability like Web 2.0 and 4G have gradually made the net an important part of everyday living. More than ever, it allows people more dynamic access to knowledge databases, and let’s people connect with others the world  over. This connectivity, coupled with the proliferation of gadgets in almost every household, has made owning internet-ready devices like tablets and smartphones a practical necessity.

Finally, we have the trend of fast technology turnovers, which is also an offshoot of the first trend. Because production costs for technologies have become cheaper, tech companies can now devote more  time, resources, and money to research and development. As a result, electronic products see replacements quicker than you can say “obsolete.” All too often, every other season brings new things to the table that just makes the last product releases seem like relics of yesteryear.

One would think that these three trends are a testament to how far we’ve come technology-wise, and therefore, a positive. While you wouldn’t be faulted for thinking that, you have to realize that, as with everything else, pros always carry cons with them.

In this case, the biggest con would have to be e-waste, which is waste generated by discarded electronic products. Its not an ordinary problem, for it notifies the pending effects of E-waste to the Environment and the future output of our living planet. E-waste carries chemicals like lead and cadmium, that has a very high content and dangerous liquids within, that once it leaks out of the electronics components and affected a soil it may result a land to be dead or nearby living objects not to survice. The level of danger that it shows, posts a warning to users or consumers of devices, leading people to sell used electronics instead of throwing them away.

While this is a good solution, an even better and more green-focused one is e-recycling, especially since it was developed as a specific countermeasure to e-waste. E-recycling involves collecting as many old and used electronic devices as possible and giving them a thorough inspection. Unusable parts are disposed of under the most stringent recycling standards, and the gadgets are then refurbished to near-mint factory conditions and resold to consumers at low prices.

E-recycling is a viable solution indeed, one that not only is beneficial to consumers looking for cheap alternatives, but also to the world as a whole. Let’s all join in, go to the nearest e-recycling centers, and sell our old electronics now to ensure for ourselves a greener tomorrow.