At the Speed of Light...

I remember hearing years ago that technological advances were increasing at an exponential rate, and would continue to do so for the foreseeable future. I thought that was interesting, but didn't see how it would affect me directly. (I was a kid. What did I know?)

While I wasn't looking, watches suddenly quit needing winding. That was cool. Then I got my first home computer -- one with no memory. That was even cooler. Now I run around with two cell phones, have three computers buzzing in my house, and have dozens of books out in electronic format.

So what? Well, this accelerated rate of technology advance has affected me directly in some interesting ways, so I thought I'd share.

First, I have to check every manuscript written more than a year or two ago for needed updates before turning it in. I wrote one book shortly before cell phones became commonplace, and turned it in after that point. A friend, who was reading the manuscript at the same time as an editor, asked me why my heroine stopped at a bar to use a phone. Couldn't she have just whipped out her cell phone?

Dang. I had to run back and insert a dead battery.

The second effect has been more positive, and more interesting. Using the Internet, I've found and been found by friends from my youth I didn't expect to see or hear from again. How fantastic! I've had a blast reliving childhood (and young adult) memories. And I've reconnected with people I truly cared about.

How about you? Any other direct effects of technology you didn't expect?