Technology and the Global Economy
We are all very fortunate to live in the 21st century for a number of reasons. We have developed technology to make our lives easier. Food and water are cleaner, and healthcare continuously makes improvements which impacts our quality of life. The global economy allows us to obtain more possessions than ever before and gives us access to things that were only available regionally in the past. It is easy to lose track of all the benefits of life in the 21st century. Below you will see a list of things we all need to stop and be thankful for.
The Super Market
American super market grocery stores started to appear during the second half of the 20th century and they still remain a shopping paradise. These stores offer just about everything we need despite the season. Global trade enables these large companies to carry out of season fruit and produce. These products can be grown in different parts of the world and imported to the United States. If we were to go back 100 years a store like this would be a miracle. In the past, people were limited to seasonal foods. Most fruit and vegetables were grown and sold by farmers directly to stores and end users. Furthermore, to get everything needed for a meal, multiple stops were required. We would need to go to a butcher, a baker, and a farmer to get just the basics. Just think what our great great grandparents would think of the major food markets. Odds are they would be stunned to see the variety and availability of everything under one roof.
Food Standards
The last 100 years has seen a huge decrease in diseases transmitted through food and water. We now have better standards to test our consumable products and better oversight to ensure standards are met. Being able to turn a knob and get fresh water would be a miracle to people 200 years ago. Even though many Americans still rely on well water in parts of the country, the technology to get the well water is also drastically better. We no longer have to boil water on a regular basis. Additionally, refrigeration has made a huge impact on how we eat. Meats and produce can be kept fresher for longer. Many products can also be frozen; this allows meats to be stored for extended periods of time without the fear of contamination. Finally, government oversight has resulted in a huge decrease in disease. The FDA can be annoying at times, but this organization has succeeded in ensuring that our food products are healthy and safe to eat.
Disposable Products
We have all heard the phrase “plastics make it possible” and we never really think how true this statement is. If we go back to the end of the 19th century, prior to the invention of modern plastic products, items were made to last. People would use proper plates and utensils for every meal, there was no other option. We have been spoiled by a life time of paper and plastic disposable products. Just think, when was the last time we actually had a product repaired. The global economy and mass production has lead to us replacing things instead of repairing them. It is cheaper and easier to buy a brand new appliance than it is to hire a tech to repair just about anything from televisions to kitchen appliances. This is both a good and bad thing. It is true that products are more affordable, but the quality of these products has diminished. Things are no longer handmade and are often constructed with cheap parts. Cast iron and steel products are rare and synthetic products are common. Some people think this a good thing while others miss the days of better products. One thing is for certain, the use of cheaper products and materials has enabled many more people to have products that were only available to the rich in the past.
Global Trade
The most important thing that impacts our ability to get what we want is the existence of the global economy and global trade. Certain areas of the world are better equipped to produce certain types of products. This type of specialization allows for more products to be produced and global trade enables people from all over the world to acquire these products. For example, the tropics can produce far more produce then other areas of the world, but the tropics are not ideal for factories that produce appliances. Factories in China are better at producing these types of item, while North America is better at producing technology to be used in these factories. Global trade allows different areas to succeed in producing what they do best. This makes items less expensive and provides access to larger numbers of people. With global trade does come a few hiccups. Every country wants an advantage and this has led to some trade disputes. Politics aside, it is important that we allow the global economy to continue to develop. The results have led to a generation of wealth and success.
Communication
The invention of the telegraph and the telephone has drastically changed how we live. We no longer have to wait several days for a letter to travel via the postal service to give and receive news; we can simply pick up a phone. As a result we are now able to react to situations much quicker. The effects of a natural disaster and the government’s response time are significantly quicker because information is relayed faster. Relief works now know what they can leave behind and what they need to bring with them. Additionally, communication between different parts of the world enable farmers to change their crop output and factories are now able to increase production when needed. We can now react in live time to the changes of our environment. This would be considered a miracle to people several hundred years ago.
It is easy to not appreciate the luxuries we have. Technology has made a drastic impact on how we live our lives for the better. So next time we are inconvenienced by something take a step back and remember we have it far better than our ancestors. It is important to appreciate the ease of the modern world and remember that life without technology and standards is far more challenging.