There are many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving – from the big things (like family and friends) to the little things (like having an extra day off), it seems like there’s something to be grateful for everywhere you look.
And, while we agree that it’s important to focus on the “big things” during this time of year, we also feel there are some more practical things to stop and reflect on – things that have helped us to form better connections, enjoy better health, discover new things and generally live happier lives.
So today, we’d like to celebrate 7 incredible innovations that have completely changed our lives – allowing us to focus more on those big things like friends and family. Check them out, then let us know what you’re grateful for in the comments below!
1. The Internet
How could we not kick off our list with the single innovation that’s been responsible for pretty much every big technological innovation since?
Not only has the internet changed the way we socialize, do business, learn, shop (more on that in a moment) and pretty much everything else… it’s also empowered plenty of new innovations. For example, artificial intelligence, social media, music streaming and so much more would never be possible without the backbone behind it all: the internet.
Never before in the history of humanity have we all been so connected, and it’s all thanks to the internet!
Fun fact: The first message sent “online” was sent over ARPANET (a government-run network) in 1969 by computer science professor Leonard Kleinrock. He attempted to send the word “login” between two computers, but after transmitting the “l” and “o”, it crashed. That means the first text message ever was “lo” – a laughable typo!
2. Social media
This is perhaps a controversial addition to the list, as social media has been catching a lot of bad press lately. However, we have to argue that it’s been an incredible innovation.
The rise of social media keeps us in contact with whoever we like (as long as they have the same social media account as we do), no matter how far away or even how different they are. Social media has given rise to social movements, such as the Arab Spring and #metoo – and it’s created friendships that never would have happened otherwise.
If the internet is the backbone of our technological growth, social media is its heart and soul. Yes, we’ll still have to see how it plays out as we learn to live in a connected world, but overall the concept is something to be grateful for.
Fun fact: Despite the fact that social media is less than two decades old, it’s already being used by 42% of the population. For comparison, it took 41 years for telephones to become that popular!
3. Online shopping
C’mon… who ISN’T grateful for this one?!
Online shopping is something we all take for granted now, but back when it was new, the innovation was a crazy concept. Back then, most of us who had to, you know… get off our butts, trudge down to a physical store and buy goods from a human.
Although human interaction is nice, waiting in lines and paying high prices for a limited selection isn’t. Online shopping gives us a world of options, and that means lower prices on higher-quality goods with better convenience. What’s not to love?!
Fun fact: U.S. e-commerce sales are expected to increase nearly 16% by the end of 2018, reaching over $526. billion and representing 10% of total retail sales.
4. Video chat
For thousands of years, if you wanted to talk to someone across the world, you had to scream REALLY loudly. Then, there were messengers – first humans on horses, then pigeons. Finally, thousands of years into our existence, we invented phones.
But something just isn’t the same when you’re talking to a faceless voice. And, when it comes to connecting with loved ones, even the perfect description doesn’t compare to actually seeing your new baby niece’s smile for the first time.
That’s why we love video chat. Of course, we also use it for meetings, since GiddyUp team members are located all around the world!
Fun fact: The world’s first video chat was in… get this… 1964! Yup – although back then, the technology was only able to send still images every few seconds, so it’s not exactly “video”… but we say it’s close enough.
5. Music streaming apps
This is a huge one for us at GiddyUp… we always have tunes rockin’ while we’re working. And, with the advent of music streaming, we can enjoy and share all the world’s music with just a few clicks.
Compare this to the days when you had to actually go out and find vinyl records, and were limited to the selection of your local record store (no online shopping!). Yes, a fun experience, but not exactly the best way to reliably discover new music.
Nowadays, you can share a song with friends from across the world, and they can start dancing along at their desk, too. Music streaming has also given us more musical artists, since it’s easier than ever to create music, along with lower prices due to music streaming services offering bundles. Rock on!
Fun fact: As recently as the 1990s, music streaming was nonexistent – but in 2018, revenues from streaming services were 88% of the total U.S. music industry!
6. Smartphones
The telephone was patented in 1876, but it took another 130 years before it did more than simply placing calls… but when that changed, so did our worlds.
Smartphones may be the most impactful item on this list. The internet may be responsible for it all, and online shopping may be our personal favorite, but smartphones have given us the ability to stay connected with these innovations wherever we are, whenever we need them.
Because technology has evolved so quickly, it’s easy to overlook how incredible smartphones truly are. But just think back to caveman times… wouldn’t they have loved the ability to crowdsource a herd-tracking app while trading spearheads online? Yes. The answer is yes. (The only thing they’d be missing? A reliable charger!!!)
Fun fact: The iPhone is credited with popularizing smartphones – although it almost wasn’t to be. The original iPhone was actually designed to be a tablet until Steve Jobs saw the potential for combining it with a phone. Yes, that means the iPad was technically first!
7. Health technology
For the last innovation on our list, we’re going a bit broad. We believe that the massive number of health innovations – from surgical robots to a special hammock that helps soothe neck pain – are the silent champions of our technological age.
Every human will eventually face a situation in which they must consider their health. But life is also complicated – and health problems rarely come when we’re ready.
That’s why we’re so grateful for the many new inventions that use technology to improve our health. Not only does our care improve, it also tends to lower the cost and paves the way for new cures, procedures and solutions.
Fun fact: A foundation called The X Prize Foundation is offering a $10 million award to the first team to deliver a working “tricorder” – the handheld diagnostic device used by medical officers in Star Trek to detect diseases. Whether or not they get there, we’re sure there’s a lot to be learned along the way!
So, these are some of the things that will be on our mind this weekend – along with those big things, like friends and family. How about you? What technological advancements are you most thankful for?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mike Seibert says
Please e-mail me your weekly messages…they’re great.
GiddyUp says
Hi Mike, thanks for the compliment! We’ll keep sending them as long as you keep reading them.
Also, if you would like to share this newsletter with a friend, you can send them this link: https://giddyup.io/
The more the merrier, after all!