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Convergence of Technologies

A student has raised a question: What is convergence?

Convergence has been a hot topic discussed by the technocrats today.

It is difficult to define convergence in a few simple terms. The precise definition involves technical aspects not easy to follow. The following discussion sheds a flood of light on the topic without considering compex issues. It will give you an idea of convergence.

Think about the scientific devices and appliances we have used thus far. Almost each of them is meant for a well-defined, particular use and employs a specific technology.

If you wish to communicate, you use a phone. If you wish to take pictures, you have a camera. To listen to hi-fi music, you have an MP3 player. Each works on a different technology.

Now look at the latest gadgets developed over the last decade. What multiple functions you can perform with your cell-phone! You can communicate, take pictures and also play music on your phone. Your small phone can be used for various functions. Here different technologies are used in a single gadget. This may be called convergence of technologies.

By merging a number of technologies, you can use an appliance or a device for diverse functions. This may be termed as convergence. On a wider scale, if you interconnect different gadgets and operate them from a controlling unit, it may be referred to as convergence.

You have a wrist-watch with a calculator. It is a simple example of convergence. A personal computer can be used as a TV set to watch telecasts. It's convergence. You design a refrigerator with an alarm clock, telephone with speaker and answering machine, MP3 player and FM radio. It's an advanced convergence.

Despite several disadvantages, the convergence is the trend of the day.

In near future, you will have 'Smart-homes' backed by convergence of technologies. A number of gadgets will be interconnected and operated by a remote, wireless controlling unit in your hands. From your office, you will control air-conditioner of your distant house. On your way home in your car, you will switch on the oven so that you get a baked dish when you reach home.

Science and technology has so much to offer to us. Convergence is a great idea with a wide range of applications. Let us use convergence with discretion and make it a great boon for mankind.

States of Mind

My apartment is close to one of the main roads of the city. The road is one of the pulsating arteries of the suburb.

From the terrace of our apartment, we can clearly view the road.

We have some close friends who really enjoy being on our terrace. A bosom friend of mine is a highly intellectual person. And so is her intelligent wife. He is an architect and she, with a PG in philosophy, is in the field of academics. We have spent many evenings together on the terrace. Dinners turn more delicious when we are on the terrace discussing various facets of life.

What we have together observed and discussed the most is the sky. The next comes the busy road. How paradoxical! The sky is static and still can fascinate you. The scenes on the road are in motion, yet can have magnetic spell on you!

The road remains too busy for words. Uninterrupted flow of traffic. Big and small speeding vehicles move on and on and on. A mad rush! It continues till nearly midnight. This is the time when the sky illumines its vastness. How pleasing it is! We are absorbed into its tranquility! How blissful it is!

The road and the sky. They represent two states of life - the one in motion, the other is a state of rest.

The human mind has these two states: the state of motion and the state of rest. All day and night, if uncontrolled, the mind is a flow of thoughts. Jumping from here to there. In a ceaseless "motion". When tired, it craves for peace. The state of "rest".

He who can keep a balance between the motion and the rest can live the life in its true sense.

The Helpless Man

The limitations of man and his technology have once again come to light.

The Katrina Hurricane has caused horrible devastation in the USA.

My Blogger friends and other American friends have been mailing detailed news and pictures. I have been watching the CNN and the BBC. Grim situations!

Utterly shocking news! There has been very heavy loss of life and property. The essential services have been thrown out of gear. The law and order is better not described. The US government is facing the worst calamity in decades.

What is happening to the world? It was Gujarat earthquake in 2001, then the Tsunami last year and now the Katrina. Whether it is the developing Asia or the highly advanced America, nature plays havoc without any bias.

Huge uproar was sounded in the media on administrative failure at the time of Gujarat earthquake and the Tsunami tragedy. What happened in the USA? There was forecast of the Hurricane, people were warned of the impending danger, the red alert was announced and the administration was geared up to face any unfortunate situation. And what was the outcome? Huge losses, nearly all contingency plans and emergency measures proved inadequate or futile, breakdown of administrative machineries and a state nothing short of anarchism.

I do not wish to blame or find fault with any agency. Let others do that job. My point here is to highlight the man's pathetic helplessness despite the glorified technological advances.

Nature is nature. No technology yet can contain the fury of natural forces. This is the time that wisdom prevails in our mind and we channelize the advancement of technology in the right direction.