Growing as the Technology Grows

To be born on the nineties, I live around the environment where Indonesia was starting to become more and more modern in almost every aspect of life, starting from agriculture to industry. But one the most important breakthrough was the technology. In the technology realm itself, there are radios, DVD players, and popular on the market: personal computers. Those breakthroughs were followed by the invention of Internet connection in Indonesia. As I grew up, technologies continue to grow and advance in a really rapid way. Sadly, I was in no condition to buy one. In the 2004, I moved to Jakarta. Jakarta was a great-looking city back in the old days. That time I studied at Diakonia for the rest of my elementary school, before moving into IPEKA Pluit for my junior and high school. In 7th February 2006, I was finally introduced to computer labs inside the school. It was my first time to encounter with the thing so called as computers. I was so excited, probably like a kid that has never devoured the taste of candies. The first thing I did was using Microsoft Word, since it processed words and I love playing with words. But next, unexpectedly I fell in love with a drawing program, Paint. I think that it was really cool be able to draw your desired images at the screen as your hand moves and created the masterpiece. I do love both of them. They are one of the most useful program for me back then. In January 2007, I was sitting in the 4th grade and school projects needs a lot of typing. I explained that to my parents, but they simply say that I could use the typewriter or the schools computer instead of buying new computers. I didnt accept that decision, so I pleaded and even cried for a computer. My parents didnt agree though, since my dad was in a monetary crisis. I reluctantly accepted the decision and use the schools computer instead. I do still have a faint hope that one day I will have my own computer. In the first semester of 5th grade, a computer club was introduced. I was really interested in the club, but again I didnt have a computer. I could only saw few of my friends signing their names for the club. To make it worse, I was not selected for the computer competition that my school held. Well, I learned that keeping sadness too long would only make it worse, so I chose to sign my name inside an English club. I regret the decision though, since the club didnt improve my English at all. I could summarized the first semester was a painful agony. But it was not for long that the agony, you can also say it as the burden, lifted up. Exactly when I reached the age of 11, my parents gave me a set of computer, with speakers and an internet modem installed. I was so happy, that I could remember that I cried hysterically. I was hugging my parents so tight that they may have looked suffocated. I apologized to them and turn on the computer. The OS was still in XP, and it was really stable. I was like sitting in front the computers for hours and my parents started to scold me because it was 4 am in the morning. They were angry because Ive been using it for 3 hours, and actually I still have to go to school that day. I turn the computer off and ran to the bed, covering myself with my warm blanket. Silently I whispered and prayed in my heart that I may join the computer club. My chance is almost 90% though, since they lack in members. The next morning, I didnt take my breakfast because I was too excited to ask my computer teacher for a chance to join the computer club. Luckily, a chance was generously given to me, to make it better I was assigned as a chairman for the writing club. I cant stop smiling for the rest of the day. Even my friends think that I have mental disorder. But, who cares? My goal to join the computer club is now accomplished! Since then I grow even closer to the technology around me. I always wait the time when the bell rings that signals the civic lesson ended and its time for IT. It cant be denied that technology played an important in my life as I grew up slowly turning into a teen. Even now, to make assignments given by the teachers, we need the internet to search for information and at least a computer to safe the information temporary, sometimes permanently. In fact, a personal computer is a must to make it easier to do your tasks. The computer club was really great. I learn a lot of thing, from graphic designing to the growth of the computer. Sadly, the club didnt last long. When I reached the half of the 2nd semester, the club

was forcefully closed because lack of participants. So, to keep my spirits up, I asked my friends to make a small community. But then the community didnt last long, since we parted ways when graduating from the elementary school. I really missed the beautiful moments back then. But then, Im not losing my love that easy. Especially since my mom bought me a personal laptop, which is the HP Pavilion dm4. The laptop has been a good friend for me, especially when I need to do task on holidays. Laptop sure is more convenience than computers. Besides there is also usb drivers that helps me to transport data from one pc to pc, laptop to laptop, even laptop to pc and vice versa. Its really neat, right? But then, as I look back, I see how technologies arent only growing but also now play some important roles. We know how internet provides such broad information for us to learn. But sometimes not everything the internet serves is the right thing to learn. One of the most popular wrong things to learn is the pornography which has influenced the personality of our young generation. I was actually the living witnesses of how pornography that the internet serves changes the live of someone. My friend was in 8th grade when he learns about pornography from the internet. I was ok with that, since I think he was learning the negative impact of pornography, but actually I was wrong. He saw pornographic materials. Even a friendly person like him has turn into a cold-hearted person. Even he convinced to me that hes in a same sex relationship. Then in our social environment, everything has started to be computer dependent. People tweeting or updating status in facebook is now a familiar view. Even, there are people who text others that is right beside them. See how now people can be so distanced even though they were so close? I do suffer this kind of problem. I am an introvert, I hate speaking in front of people. Now with these I could speak easier, but slowly I am walking out of every kind of social situation. I am becoming even more introvert. To be more critical, I compared my own experiences with my brother and sister. Both of them are so close to the technology, they have their own laptop and tablets. They use it almost every time they had the chance to do so. I never saw them actually speak with a real person. I even never saw them talk using the phone! I dont expect them to be that passive, since I know that they love the crowds. Even our family gathering at the weekends isnt going anywhere, since they chose to play games with their friends than making popcorns and watch movies! Worse, they become couch potatoes who never do exercises, except for my brother who loves to play soccer. I know that I sounds that I have become somewhat anti-technology, but Im not someone who absolutely against the machinery like the Luddites. Im simply against those who are overly obsessed with computer games, and other things connected to computers especially. But I dont agree to those who said that technology decreases the quality of life (the Luddites). Computers arent the root of all things evil, since God actually created technology to help us! Its the man fault. They overused the technologies given and became lazy. I do believe we all know God is against laziness. But I do agree that computer is a useful tool if we set limitations to ourselves in the usage. Finally I learn that we should concentrate on what life is all about and the world is full of all kind of beauty, all kind of helpful tools. But we should be the master of the tool not being slaved by those tools. More importantly nothing cyber should come close to replace our bonds.

1507 words Yoga Febrian Pratama