Growing up in a time of rapid technological advancement. We can see it almost everywhere we go. Does that make it a good thing? Well, there doesn't seem to be any way to stop it. So let's hope it's for the best of humanity. Technology is advancing at an exponential rate. This was really hard to believe just ten years ago; people used film in cameras and played music from a compact disc containing 15 to 20 songs. Today, people take thousands of digital photos and listen to hundreds of songs from a single device they can hold in their hand. So are new technologies helping the medical industry cure patients faster and more frequently than ever before? Or is it simply making every child in our country square-eyed and short-tempered? Something as simple and as commonly used as social networking sites could be of great use, as scientists could more easily stay in touch. A supercomputer called “Watson” has been developed to expand the healthcare industry and soon doctors will potentially be able to rely on it to track patient histories, stay abreast of medical research and analyze treatment options. However, it is also known that over the past 20 years the number of obese and overweight children has increased significantly. Technology and all media-based devices are among the main contributors to this problem: they can lead to very serious health problems and, in some serious cases, it is strongly recommended to consult a psychiatrist. Technology also impacts people's social lives. Personally, I've made many friends through the social side of online gaming, but I'm sure, like mine, many mothers totally disapprove. I have also lost many girlfriends to technology. Playing endless hours of Call of Duty isn't a... middle of paper ... that's what everyone calls them; and what qualifies as being a hacker? Someone who can steal your bank account in less than a minute when your naive child clicks on a link a random person sent you? Having had personal experiences at both ends of the stick, I realized how interesting yet dangerous things can get. Hacking has its benefits, whether it's gaining invincibility on a video game or mocking America's defense and trying to prove that aliens exist. However, it can be very, very serious when lives and money are at stake; so how can we stop it? Or is it too late? In conclusion, it is clear that many people believe that technology brings fantastic, new and innovative ideas to the world. However, looking at the bigger picture, it becomes clear that dangers are coming into play and the old traditions of pen and paper are disappearing..