The World Today - Essay Example

The World Today There are recent verdicts that the world is coming to an end, relating many of the contemporary happenings to the end times, but I still stand firm that the world today is far much better than the way it was 50 years ago, thus, uncle you have to change your opinion of the contemporary society and start viewing the world in from a different perspective. For instance, things like televisions and other mass media present society as far much better as compared to the way it was 50 years ago. Let us first of all compare the past and present literacy levels. In the past, education was not among the basic life necessities. Not all people considered going to school a basic life requirement. Only a few people who were enlightened went to schools to gain knowledge. Let us look at our grand parents and some uncles and aunts for example. There is none we can talk of as an educated person, those who afforded to go to school got minor education and surrendered in the long run. The schools were also not developed such that they only had limited resources therefore offered little knowledge. People relied on the indigenous knowledge which though was effective to some extend, could not be applied to solving all of the issues the society faced. The society was so backward such that new advancements tools were only owned by the educated in the society, simply because they were the only ones who could operate them. Poverty for example, which is highly associated with lack of education, was part of the society whereby, to most people poverty was a norm. People only relied on the products of nature. Compare this scenario to the contemporary society where going to school is like a norm. Every individual in the present society is expected to have basic education. Some countries have even gone to the extent of providing free basic education to ensure every individual gets a chance of going to school. Laws have also been formulated to ensure people get educated. The modern schools also have resources that ensure students get quality education. Look at the current advancements whereby each day comes with its own technological advancement. Today things that were rare such as media tools are a thing of the past. You only choose to be poor since I believe every individual has his own ability to make money. For instance, according to the World Development report, knowledge is intangible, light and weightless. With this knowledge still, some people still living in poverty. This therefore means that knowledge is able to counter poverty, such that with knowledge, you will be able to fight poverty. Thus, those living under poor conditions have only chosen to do that. Uncle, let us again look at the current advancements and compare them with the world 50 years ago. Today you can buy fresh food which is not processed and even keep it for the next two or three months without having it going bad. Unlike in the past uncle, whereby we used to either dry it so that it can be stored for sometime or even cook the whole meal then have to keep warming it so as to keep it fresh. We can even use microwaves to warm our food if we wish so uncle. There are also washing machines that make washing easier and quick as compared to the past where one had to apply force and energy in order to get work done. Of great consideration is the contemporary agriculture whereby every process has been mechanized from the ploughing of land to harvesting of the crops. This all is in courtesy of technological advancements. We can also remember the cases whereby TB and polio were part of everyday living. Many parents gave birth in their homes without considering the need of taking their in borne for vaccination. Traditional herbs were the only remedy for all diseases even in cases where they were not applicable. Life expectancy was so low and especially for the under five children. Unlike today where most children are born in hospitals, given all the necessary care they need and their life expectancy is high. However, the single most contemporary advancements in the field of information are the computer. These electronic devices control everything from preparation of meals and waking up the family to keeping shopping lists and the track of bank balance, relay telephone messages, handle travel reservations, keep track of anniversaries and birthdays, figure monthly bills for water, telephone, and electricity and other utilities as well as computing monthly taxes. Uncle, compare this with the past where we used to make long line ups to pay bills and depended on the banks to compute monthly taxes. At times we could run short of the basic utilities just because of rationing. There was no reminder of to give updates on the bill dues. I can say the internet has made life cheaper even to students concerning issues such as research of even deeper understanding of facts. For example there is the student’s Encarta that helps students during their studies unlike the past where one had to rely on the dictionaries which were only affordable to a few. The internet feeds us with all the information we need. Today everything that happens anywhere around the world is made public immediately. Also consider the case where our most women were not allowed to have professional work. Their role was to sit back and wait for their husbands or alternatively carry the double burden of housework plus low paid work. There were limited job prospects for women and they were expected to be married at an earlier age. This was a strain to the economy such that poverty kept on increasing day and night. However, today we are talking of equal opportunities for both men and women. This is an initiative that has brought positive changes to our society. Therefore uncle, as we can see today, families that have both parents working are better off as compared to those having the man as the sole bread winner. Looking at today’s society, uncle, we see that the citizens of a country can determine their leaders. We have a voice concerning who we choose to lead us politically and we also have a right to disqualify those who exploit us. Comparing with the past times where leaders were not democratically chosen and therefore some would misuse the public resource without the public having a say on this. Now we have all the freedom. Therefore uncle, I am convinced that the present life is better and I urge you to also change your opinion and view the present life as a better life. Look at all these contemporary advancements and compare them with the past where man had to apply substantial force in order to meet any objective. Indeed you should start viewing this life as a better life compared to 50 years ago. Read More