Mobile culture

By Zeenat Z. Syed, Atlanta, GA
5 December 2005, 18:00 PM
Mr. Ahmed's write up on how technology has more or less taken over the lives of Bangladeshis today has two sides. Years ago I or anyone else wouldn't have dreamt of walking around with a mobile. The idea of getting in touch with friends and family easily and at any time was quite unthinkable. Today when members of my family step outside their homes to go to school, to work or to run errands my dear grandmother is relieved to know that if they are late she has a way of getting in touch with them to make sure they are well. Bangladesh is no longer a safe haven with crime rampantly high and the recent bombings leaving a lot to be desired. In such a situation, our parents, grandparents and loved ones often worry about our safety and are concerned about our well-being. This is where that beast of a gadget is extremely handy.

During a traffic jam that has you stuck in a gridlock for an hour or more, you can easily call your family and let them know about the situation. Or if you find yourself in a predicament the mobile is quite handy in calling for help. Worse, if a relative is sick at home and needs immediate attention and you are outside the best way to get in touch with you is via mobile. If the same were to happen years ago you wouldn't hear of it until you got home or someone came to find you, both of which would result in loss of time to deal with the problem and may jeopardize the health or even lives of your loved ones.

In my opinion technology does have its disadvantages. It has made our society more digital. We probably talk more with your family members over the mobile, via email etc. then face to face but the advantage of it is that it has made up more efficient human beings. It allows us to conduct meetings and conference calls during those unbearable traffic jams. It allows us to catch up with friends and families at any given time without being stuck within the four walls of our homes. The older generation is often against change having spent the most of their lives one way. But the fact is change will happen and when it does it is up to us to use it to our best advantage.