Day 1, Session 1.

Technology and World Change was the first class on my first day at SMU. As an international student, I did not know what to expect. I didn't have the slightest clue as to what we would be taught. I was confused and nervous. But as the class came to an end, my confusion was severely reduced.

The class started with ice breakers. Prof Shahi introduced himself to us and encouraged us to get to know each other. I got to know a few interesting people from different schools. Prof then asked us what we infer from the word 'technology'. A mixed array of answers were given, 'the evolution of tools', 'the evolution of work methods' and so on. Technology, Prof told us, simply means the study of 'how to do'.

This was a straightforward and simple meaning to an otherwise complicated question. We then saw a video called ‘Shift Happens’. One thing in the video that really astonished me was that half of what I learn in my First Sem would be outdated by the end of my fourth year! The Prof also showed us a video on ‘Guns, Germs and Steel’, a book by Jared Diamond. The book and the video basically revolves around one question asked by Yali, a New Guinian to Jared, ‘Why do white men have so much cargo?’. The video showed Diamond’s search for the answer to this question. We were also shown a timeline of important revolutions over the years and how technology has assisted these revolutions to grow and spread. Each revolution gave way to a new method of thinking and led to the growth and development of the world.

One very important question the Prof asked us was, ‘What is the future of human race’? This is a very critical question as we, the present generation, hold the future in our hands and depends on us as to how we go into the future. Technology has led to unthinkable developments and advancements in every field possible and as guardians of this world, it is our duty that we use this technology in a balanced way, because like all things, technology has its pros and cons too.

What I think I took away from this first session was that technology has no bounds. Technology is forever changing and the world is always growing. Change is a way of life and we should adapt and accept this change, rather than fight it. Also one line that the Prof said influenced me, ‘Technology is easy, people are hard.’

I had a great first session and I look forward to many more interesting and thought provoking sessions like these. I’d rate this class a 9.

That’s all for now!