As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, we are seeing a growing number of products and services that are designed to make our lives easier. From smartphones and smart home devices to self-driving cars and robotic assistants, these innovations are increasingly taking over tasks that were once performed by humans.
While this trend towards automation and efficiency is certainly beneficial in many ways, it also raises an interesting question: what impact will these advancements have on the evolution of humans? Specifically, could we eventually evolve to lose certain abilities as a result of product innovation reducing the effort we need to apply in our daily lives?
One possibility is that we may begin to see changes in our physical abilities. For example, as we rely more and more on machines to perform manual labor, our muscles may become weaker and less developed. Similarly, as we spend more time sitting in front of screens and less time engaging in physical activities, our overall fitness levels may decline.
With the Tesla FSD update, you could prompt a car to drive you, without
a. Hiring a driver
b. Learning to drive
If this continues for years, will anyone remember how to drive anymore? Why make the effort.
Think people riding two-wheelers are safe? Hell no.
BMW has a self driving two wheeler prototype from years ago, which thankfully it used just to test its motorbikes.
A startup, is now mass producing such tech for all. Checkout Liger X, the world’s first commercial self balancing scooter. Why remember how to balance and coordinate anymore? Anyone who knows how to ride a bike will attest, its a skill which makes us marvel at the human brain! How beautifully it learns to run all these tasks at the back end, giving us a seamless experience.
Does this madness stop with reducing our effort in physical tasks? Heck no!
The other area in which we may see changes is in our cognitive abilities. As technology becomes more advanced, we may find that we are relying more on machines to think for us. This could lead to a decrease in our ability to problem-solve and make decisions independently. Additionally, as we rely more on technology for memory and information recall, our own memory and recall abilities may deteriorate.
Take a recent innovation for example. ChatGPT. If AI could write essays, do your homework, write your blogs and complete books, why would you make any mental effort? Any evolution takes hundreds if not thousands of years to come into fruition, but couldn’t habit forming products created due to the initiative of highly skilled Product Managers and Software Developers, change humanity? Why learn how to use the greatest mystery of the universe, the human brain, if a computer code could “easen your burden?”
Of course, it’s important to note that these potential changes in human abilities are not necessarily negative or positive. They are simply a natural consequence of the way in which we interact with technology and the products that we use.
However, it’s also important to keep in mind that we have the power to shape our own evolution through our choices and actions. By being mindful of the ways in which we use technology, and by making a conscious effort to engage in physical and cognitive activities that help us maintain our abilities, we can help ensure that we continue to evolve in a positive direction.
In conclusion, as product innovation continues to reduce the effort we need to apply in our daily lives, it’s important to be aware of the potential impact on human abilities, both positive and negative, and actively work on maintaining our abilities. Unless of course, you would want to evolve into a motionless blob of carbon.
