By: Taban Khajehnassiri
The technological whirlpool is fast growing, however, still there are about more than 5 billion ordinary people on Earth who will never, ever be able to afford using computers, satellite links or Satellite Radio and Television channels, or highly advanced communications or telecommunications and the Internet. They are just far from this technological World Wide Whirlpool. They are not fighting against cultural invasion from the East or the West, they just cannot afford it.
In the hills above the land, at a point of the Information highway, in front of the information sea, a man was crying out: "Hey you IT workers, on those nests you have floating on the sea, cann't you hear me? Work! work! work! You have to work now. I know you want success. You want to get and be connected to the net, to your nest, so you have to work, to make money and to afford your monthly bills. Yes, I know, you need that faster and updated computer, those new satellite TV channels at home, but you know? They are all Pay-TV channels? Can you just afford to pay for that annually? Therefore, you need to work, at home or at your office? I know you need time, know-how and money, to keep up this work. Don't worry, they are laying off people in big corporations. Don't worry pals, you can job. I see, you have paid all your bills in advance for all these stuffs online by your credit card. Now you are loosing your job. You have to pay the bills of your (satellite) mobile telephone, your Internet connections, your networks, your banking or financial or technical consultants. Hey ... wait a minute? Don't you want to buy that new digital satellite receiver? How about that Personal Broadcasting System with which you can set up and run your personal Radio and TV Station via satellite and the Internet? So ... I hope you will afford to survive. I see you all in a whirlpool now, hey ... can you hear me?"
In communications, what has been the most successful technology since the radio and after that the television? Some may say Satellite Links and Developments. Satellite Television Communications is now one of the fastest growing industries in the world today. Multimedia, multi-satellite systems are becoming more sophisticated, more accessible. There are so many (Analog or now more Digital) Radio and TV channels, a live and constant flow of news, information, entertainment, advertisement and a huge number of communicating human beings from around the world, above us, each and every country, in any given area or region. However, it should be kept in mind that the cable and satellite industry is all about entertainment. Consumers always want clear picture and quality sound on their TV screens. the fact of the matter is that still there is a confusion surrounding this new technology, its reception equipment, payment procedures in case of pay TV channels and also state or regional rules and regulations. Satellite dishes and receivers are still forbidden to be used and mostly hidden in Iran. A technological whirlpool is active all around us. The technology is developing so fast, everyday more choices, more new products, more services, more demands.
Again, what is the most successful technology since the radio and television? Some may say the Internet, and its worldwide popularity as well as its services such as the World Wide Web and the Electronic Mail. The web has provided us with many online services: The multimedia interactive aspect and concept of the web is another technological whirlpool that is active all around us. According to "Messaging Today" - 2000 Electronic Mailbox Report - Feb. 21, 2001, there are currently more than 891 million email accounts in use worldwide and 440 million in the United States alone - with an average of more than 4 email accounts per person. Some of the top providers for email service in the world today are Hotmail with more than 86 million users, Yahoo with more than 53 million users and AOL with more than 30 million users. Many websites, many web pages, many users are all on the net, so many materials including text, graphics, pictures, audio and video content are now available and at hand, only a few keys and clicks away. Chatrooms are full of people, writing messages, talking passages and paging their old or new friends to join them instantly. By using Webcams, net users are broadcasting their own channel of life to the world, and they have their own audiences and visitors. Newsletters are being published by individuals in the private sphere of their home. The technological whirlpool is now active and has got the traffic. Don't expect this technological whirlpool simply ignore you.
People are now watching their national or satellite Radio or TV programs. Broadcasters are happy now, they have viewers. Net users are now browsing websites, filling in the forms, buying stuffs, downloading and uploading files here and there, participating in chats and sending their Electronic Mails to friends and families.
Really, what is the most successful technology nowadays? Telephone, Facsimile, Wireless and Paging Systems, Personal Hand-held Mobile Phones or Computers? Consumers are now using these services throughout the world. They are using their portable instant wireless communications. They want better, lightweight, powerful and felixible devices and communications along with their reliable and constant connectivity. The technological whirlpool is all around. What does it all mean to you? The technological whirlpool is fast growing, however, still there are about more than 5 billion ordinary people on Earth who will never, ever be able to afford using computers, satellite links or Satellite Radio and Television channels, or highly advanced communications or telecommunications and the Internet. They are just far from this technological World Wide Whirlpool. They are not fighting against cultural invasion from the East or the West, they just cannot afford it. Good for them, they will survive and afford nothing but living simple, and happy. They smile and laugh literally.