<p>Do changes that make our lives easier not necessarily make them better?</p>
<p>Technology undoubtedly pervades our lives, rendering us used to “split second” responses. Whereas some argue that technology has not enhanced life, others contend that it not only simplifies our lives but also enables us to accomplish more. Technological advances such as the da Vinci surgical technique and the iPad illustrate the incredibly positive facets of technology.</p>
<p>Simplifying tumor surgeries, the da Vinci technique replaced dangerous techniques with an efficient and effective method. Prior to the invention of this robot, surgeons grappled with the decision of whether to subject patients to a dangerous surgery or to allow the tumor to progress. This hard decision created a situation in which doctors needed to choose whether to endanger the patient by operating or by not intervening. Yet the da Vinci technique revolutionized the medical field. This innovative technique targets the tumor by means of lasers, a non-invasive method. This technique illustrates that technology meant to simplify our lives actually “have changed our lives for the better.” Patients with tumors now undergo a non-invasive procedure that endows them with an enhanced quality of life.</p>
<p>Mirroring this sentiment, the revolutionary iPad created by Apple democratizes information and thus enhances our lives. The seemingly hyperbolized motto “there’s an app for everything” proves true. Scrolling through the app store, one finds a mind-numbing number of educational apps. From flash cards to encyclopedias, the app store is a forum with a plethora of information. Recognizing the advantages of the iPad, thousands of schools have introduced them into the curriculum. The iPad has replaced textbooks, provided new ways to study, and offered a wealth of invaluable information. This illustrates that technology enhanced our daily lives. Whereas the iPad was deemed so revolutionary upon its invention, it is an instrument that so many Americans possess. Accordingly, its permeation in the homes of so many Americans illuminates the positive and constructive aspects of technology.</p>
<p>Technology’s unique ability to enhance our lives crystallizes through the da Vinci technique and the iPad. Both have left an indelible mark, demonstrating how positive technology can be.</p>