Power Outages. Ransonware. Hackers. Crashes. Electrical Shocks. Lightning Storms. Loss of Passwords. You name it and any and all of these can affect your electronic gadget whether it is a computer, smart phone or GPS. Everything in our lives that we use runs on electricity and is an electronic gadget. Electronic gadgets are a wonderful thing. They’re an asset to our modern life. They make things easier. They keep things moving smoothly. They help us keep track of things, events and more. When they’re new, they’re great. When they work, they’re terrific. Problem is, the human race relies on computers and electronic gadgets way too much, which can lead to problems.
Think about how
much you use electronics in your life. What would happen if electricity no
longer existed, or say an Electromagnetic Pulse struck and shut down all
electronic gadgets? We’d be back in the stone-age. It could happen. Very few
countries out there don’t have the capability to do that to another. Right now,
North Korea remains a strong foe to the United States. Can you imagine your
life without your cell phone or your computer or your tablet in your hand?
What would you do
without your television? Cable? DVD’s? Your stereo or radio? You could read a
book. That is if it is a real book and not on a gadget. You could read a book on
a gadget because of the battery, but what happens when that battery loses
power. I tried to read a book on my Kindle the other day but I couldn’t so
without the internet being on. What if the internet is out, too? Then what? You
could read a real book, but you need light to do that? Do you have a source of
light? A Flashlight? Candles? What would you do without your electronic gadget?
Think about all
the electronics in your life. All our appliances run on electricity, but more
than that they have some sort of electronic part in them, too. There are very
few things in our lives don’t compose of some kind of electronic part. Do you
have a home alarm system? That is all electronic. Even the technicians rely on
their computers when making repairs to it. Perhaps, just a bit too much, too
because the computer might tell them all is okay, but it really isn’t. If the
technician just took the time to look with his eyes instead of relying on the
pc, he/she might have caught the problem. Same thing goes with automotive
mechanics. Modern cars have little computers in them.
Remember the
WannaCry cyber-attack in May of this year? The attack began on Friday, 12 May
2017, and within a day was reported to have infected more than 230,000
computers in over 150 countries. The United Kingdom's National Health Service were
infected, causing it to run some services on an emergency-only basis during the
attack, Spain's Telefonica, FedEx and Deutsche Bahn were hit, along with many
other countries and companies worldwide. And that is just one attack. Think of
all the attacks you don’t hear about.
I remember a few
times over the years when I visited a bank or supermarket and their computers
were down. They had no way to work without electronics, which meant they
couldn’t do anything at all. One bank I
know simply wrote everything down and then, processed everything later on the
computer. That was if the bank employees knew you. If not, you were out of
luck. Another supermarket basically did the same thing and you could only pay
with check or cash. No credit cards. Do you rely solely on your credit card for
all your purchases? What would you do now? How would you get by? Today, I went
to the local pharmacy to pick up a medication, but they couldn’t process it.
Their computers were down. Despite the fact, they know me and I had
identification, they couldn’t verify insurance, etc. Hence, I had to go home to
go back at a later time.
When I was growing
up not too long ago in the dark ages, the day before electronic gadgets became
the cornerstone of our lives, people functioned without the aid of gadgets. We
had. As a result, people could think for themselves. I think they were also
smarter. They could read and write legibly and intelligently. Now because of
texting there’s an entirely new language out there that only they understand.
Everything has become abbreviated. Children today can’t function without a
computer. Ask them what a phone booth is and they stop and stare. When was the
last time you read and understood a map? Or are you the type to rely solely on
your GPS? Be careful not to make a turn where you shouldn’t. GPS systems aren’t
human. They can’t think. They are not perfect. They do give out wrong
directions. Remember that before you turn off into a lake on go wrong way on
the freeway.
The electronic or
digital age has caused a crimp in personal relationships. People have lost the
skills of interpersonal relationships. People email or talk via cell phones
instead of carrying on conversations face to face. Cell phones rings everywhere
you go. Wearing headphones people talk loudly and get angry when you listen in.
They talk and walk. People work on computers or answer phones in the middle of
meals at restaurants and in movie theaters while they’re with others. I know.
Some of these things happened to me while out with friends. I literally had to
ask people to put their gadgets away or I’d just go home. How about the man
that’s suing his girlfriend because he took her out to a movie and all she did
was talk on her cellphone? He’s suing her for $17.59 for the cost of the film
and snacks. Sounds fair to me. If all she wanted to do was talk on her
cellphone why go out to see a film?
Electronics are an
asset to everyday life, but you shouldn’t rely on them all the time. They
certainly shouldn’t be the center of your life. Think of other ways to get the
job done. Think outside the box. Don’t let your electronics run your life. Better
yet, don’t let them ruin your life. What would you do without them? How would
you get by? What could you do without them? A great deal, actually. When was
the last time you wrote a letter to someone and sent in via snail mail? Can you
even write a legible letter, or is it all in textese? When was the last time
you had a face to face chat with someone? Technology will be the death of us,
but only if you let them. That’s my opinion. What’s yours? Are you smarter or
dumber living in the digital age? What could happen if there was no electricity
to power us? No phones. No appliances. Nothing. We’d be s—t out of luck, but
that’s just one thing to know. Read the book One Second After by William R.
Forstchen and find out one possibility.
For more information:
The WannaCry ransomware attack has spread to 150 countries:
CYBERSECURITY
The Wannacry Cyber Attack Puts NSA Hacking Back Into Focus
Newly Discovered Vulnerability Raises Fears of Another
WannaCry Cyber Attack
6 Things You Probably Didn't Know About WannaCry and
NotPetya
Global ransomware attack: 5 things to know
That’s it for this time. Thank you all for visiting with us. Until next month, every one please stay safe. Smile. Be happy. Show compassion. Be nice to others. Put a little love into your heart. Please speak up for those without a voice, whether it be a dog, cat, elephant or monkey. One person, one voice can make a difference. Read a book. Review it. Share it. Pass it along.
Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad.
Together, you and I can make a difference. If you like what you see here, please consider signing up to become a follower. Please feel free to share this post with others.
Regards,
S.J. Francis Writing is my passion, but animals are my world.
In Shattered Lies: "Good and bad, it's All About Family." Available now from Black Opal Books and for sale at on-line retailers and independent booksellers.
“Some secrets should remain that way.”
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And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2017 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.
Remember: Animals don't have voices. We must be their voice. Always. Forever. Wherever. whenever. I'm one for the animals. Are you?
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