the pace technology changes

I remember having computer classes in primary school where we got to make a (non-animated) turtle move around the screen. At the time, it was very riveting stuff. Kids in primary school are now doing far more hi-tech stuff (programming, web design, robotics, etc.). By the time year 7 came about, we were all made to buy laptops and bring them to school everyday. This too, at first, was pretty exciting. However the novelty quickly wore off as we got sick of having to drag them around everywhere, and having them crash all the time. Today, I look back at my old grey brick laptop and laugh at how something so amazing can become obsolete so quickly. Remembering my dad's massive brick cellphone is another one. I wonder how long it will be before we look back and laugh at today’s computers, ipods, cellphones, and other devices.
Such memories remind me how far technology has advanced... or has it? Thinking back a decade or so, many people imagined beyond the year 2000 would be a world of people zapping around in little hovercrafts much like The Jetsons (yeah that show was gold). That is sadly (or luckily?) yet to happen. The rate at which technology has changed may be slower than we expected, but we still marvel at the techno-culture in which we live. It would be great to be able to go back in time 100 years and show people some of the devices we use. It would be better to go 100 years into the future to see how old-fashioned these devices are percieved (and of course to see thier new technology). In 100 years maybe they WILL be zapping around in hovercrafts. Meanwhile, we can only imagine.
-Shannon Doherty