After computers were invented, the world split into two groups. The first included people who stuck to traditional ways of making a living, like farming, agriculture, and trading goods. The second consisted of those who learned programming languages and earned money through coding. This split caused a distinction among people: those who understood computers were seen as smart, while those who didn’t were seen as outdated. This is when the term “technology” came into play. People felt proud when they could relate to computers.
This work hierarchy permeated deeply throughout the world. Developed nations surged ahead by capitalizing on their ability to create software and thrive in the modern marketplace, whereas developing nations, clinging to traditional methods of earning, remained detached from the possibilities of computers, causing them to lag behind. The invention of computers and software stood as the driving force propelling America’s post-World War 2 advancement.
Knowing how to study computers set people apart from those focusing on other subjects. Computers were linked with STEM, though people didn’t realize back then that the world was splitting into two. Soon, there would be differences based on who knew coding and who didn’t, or who could use computers to earn, compared to those who couldn’t.
However, after the 1990s, there was a significant increase in the number of students studying computers. This is also one of the reasons people started to enjoy staying indoors, exploring new things on the internet, which eventually turned into a habit. Terms like “NERDS” began to emerge within student circles. The richest person in the world indeed became so due to computers.
People considered studying arts old-fashioned, which made students feel bad when they saw others learning about computers. Around the year 2000, those who could design websites and write computer programs started making a lot of money. This progress in computer studies hurt developing countries. Older folks wanted their children to study computers because it seemed like a way to earn more money, even though they had struggled financially. But what many didn’t know was that big entrepreneurs made money from new and creative ideas.
The masses often follow trends without understanding the underlying causes. The money in the computer field is not the cause but rather the result of innovation. It benefited many people, who paid for the services provided. Similarly, when the car was invented, mechanics began earning money, but it required hard work and effort. Computer programmers, on the other hand, didn’t have to exert mental strain, and their job seemed simple yet well-paying.
In formal terms, computers had a significant impact on communication, employment, education, information, entertainment, social interaction, healthcare, globalization, and people’s expression. However, what lay ahead—negative impacts on individuals—went largely unmentioned.
The invention of the computer triggered globalization. People began working from home and traveling abroad became more accessible. Cultures intertwined between developing countries and nations, with American dominance stemming from their power. The world-changing influence was primarily from Silicon Valley. Nevertheless, this scenario also implied that developing nations struggled due to the lack of innovation.
With the evolution of this new world, a longing for the old ways emerged. The traditional means of earning money and communicating with others became nostalgic. Although still applicable in the modern context, these interaction methods gradually lost prominence. Frustration grew among the elderly, and even the younger generation born in the 90s, who rejected computer or tech studies, started to sense their detachment from contemporary society. This feeling arose because society was embracing a new paradigm, leaving some individuals feeling left behind.
In a changing world, people wanted to stay up-to-date, even if it meant following the crowd. If they couldn’t develop new ideas, they would leave behind old ways and do what’s popular. This was seen especially in developing countries, as they tried to catch up with developed ones by joining in on the latest money-making trends.
