Marshall Mcluhan said ”Every medium is a message”.
Weddings usually bring surprises with them. The other day for instance, a typical normal wedding was in procession: the decorations, the food, the festivities and all other merriment that one would expect. However, what was unexpected was the fact that there seemed to be more technological devices rather than people. The bride’s sister was greeting guests at the reception with a smile on her face and a laptop in her hands; everyone was clicking away on their cell phones and iPods and iPads; the bride herself, sitting in the bridal room, was consumed more with a laptop switched on in her lap rather than the fact that it was her very own wedding! On inquiring about this queer behavior, the bride explained how the laptop was meant as a tool for communicating visually with her elder sister in America. The bride explained that though her sister wasn’t going to be present at the wedding physically, yet she would witness each moment of it in utmost detail thanks to the miracle in her lap. It was a miracle indeed, watching the bride fixing herself according to the instructions that were being dictated by her sister sitting so far yet so near via the laptop. Watching them, one couldn’t help but imagine how technology has diminished boundaries. While you can’t enjoy your loved ones in real space, you can most definitely enjoy them in virtual space, all at the single click of a button.
Communication devices are seemed as that fairy, who spreads gifts among everyone. Mobiles can be considered as most beautiful gift. Now you will hardly find a person deprived of this blessing. Many of us remembered an ad of Telecommunication Company. It was shown that a grandfather used mobile to announce “Azan” in the ear of his newborn grandson, who was born in another part of the world. You can use technology to offer your religious duty. Is not it a blessing?
Now people can share precious moments of their lives through mobile camera’s .You do not need to wait for days or months to see your newborn neice born in other part of the world.MMS can make your wish true and instead of waiting to see newborn ,you can discuss how the child look like.
Mobile has changed our lives altogether. I do not want to open house of debate about its uses and misuses. Presently, during flood and other humanitarian disasters, you would definitely get a public service message from the government, NGOs, and even from your cell phone company, to send SMS on particular number and help the affected.
Technology has brought chance of earning virtue, just by using our thumbs. This year Lahore has badly hit by Dengue. People suffered a lot. Since last month, people have been getting SMS, asking to help those who need blood. Sometimes this message is for someone you know but mostly for anonymous. What many people used to do is to forward this to the right person and many times it works. One feels so satisfied after that now he would be in someone’s prayers for ever.
This is one of the modern devices that are being used by all members of society either rich or poor, literate and illiterate. Besides communication, it is used for other purposes for example as a torch in darkness. You have seen house maids making call, usually they are not educated. They recognise the numbers by marks they have assigned to each number.
One cannot ignore computer while discussing modern communication technologies. Internet is now vital for computer, I am not wrong if I say that “this is match made in heaven”Internet has opened new horizons for all of us. It helps to keep abreast you with modern world. Many students who have gone to other countries for studies make best use of it. Being a student they are always looking for some cheapest way to keep in touch with family. Skype has rewarded their effort. Now they call their families daily, even twice a day. People used to tag their picture on Faccebook to share their activities. Many times such pictures become a source for a family and friends to know how their near and dear ones are doing.
Sometimes, we take things casually and do not realise how important they can be? When former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was assassinated, there was a great confusion .Police were not sure whether people would start any agitation in Lahore shortly after his death? Students were asked to leave their institutions as soon as possible. At that time, some students of prestigious institutions used Wi-Fi while sitting in classes to get informed about situation. Many youngsters used their IPods to fight against load shedding; by enjoying music on it in time of load shedding.
These are some of those experiences that all of us must have, no matter from which spectra of society we belong to! These experiences just made me realisethat technology can be used as blessing, what we need is positive approach. Every medium is giving a message to stay in touch with your near ones and serve the humanity. God has bestowed us with countless bounties; it is our duty to use them for right and constructive purpose.
IT’s good to have communication technologies!!
