The Silicon Valley Civilization

Can ancient theories be debunked simply because they weren’t created using a computer? An old timer despairs…

AD: Hi, you were planning to check out a new house - aren’t you going?

BC: I wanted to make sure that I set off at the right time, otherwise...

AD: Right time? Good heavens, don't tell me you believe in all that...

BC: Why, what’s wrong in it? It's not just a belief, it’s science.

AD: You're kidding! It's just a lot of old-fashioned notions.

BC: So anything that's modern and has to do with computers is logical – and anything that's ancient is mere superstition, regardless of how accurate it might be. Is that what you’re trying to say?

AD: Well, if you choose to trust an almanac more than the latest technology...

BC: In fact, your new-age software and operating systems are released with so many bugs in them and need constant updates and patches. Compared to that, our ancient technologies and calculations are so accurate that they haven't needed upgrades ever since they were launched.

AD: But everything has to evolve...

BC: Thousands of years ago, we identified the concept of time as being cyclic and not linear. That not only helped us understand stars and constellations a lot better, but also enabled us to predict eclipses, full moon nights and the exact time or sunrise and sunset for the next thousand years. All of this was done without using complex computer systems and advanced software...

AD: I still can't believe that you take this ‘zodiac thing’ so seriously… But how did the old-timers do these calculations? Did they just sprout wings and indulge in space travel?

BC: They didn’t, but age-old texts mention special flying vehicles, called vimanas, that were designed to help them cover great distances. Of course, there are those who have their doubts about the existence of such flying machines…

AD: I still don't understand how...

BC: I was just making a point about how advanced people were back then. But it’s a fact that it didn't take complex algorithms or satellites launched into outer space for them to calculate this. It was all science and…

AD: So are you putting down current technology to make ancient science look good?

BC: Of course not - I'm saying that modern technology owes its existence to ancient civilisation.

AD: How is that?

BC: Sometime around 100 BC, a mathematician named Pingala came up with a binary numeral system, without which today's computers, mobile phones and other devices would be dummies.

AD: I've not heard of him at all.

BC: But I'm sure you would have heard about Panini, whose pioneering work in creating a structure for Sanskrit grammar paved the way for our modern computer programming languages...

AD: Yes, I've heard of that...

BC: And you can imagine what would have happened to computers and the binary language if we hadn't come up with the concept of zero...

AD: Sure, but...

BC: Wait, there’s more. Have you ever thought about where C and Java would be without the Fibonacci series?

AD: So how does that link back to our ancient systems?

BC: The series would not have been possible if Fibonacci had not adopted the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, which again, was the brainchild of our mathematicians.

AD: Looks like all our past glory has gotten lost with time...

BC: Speaking of time, ancient Indian scriptures have alluded to minute calculations involving nanoseconds, which today, serve as a measure of computer speed.

AD: At this rate, you will be telling me that today’s IT companies wouldn’t have been around if it were not for ancient science and technology…

BC: Well, considering the fact that we had come up with numbers as large as 10 to the power of 100 as early as the 5^th century BC…

AD: That’s a googol, right?

BC: The name came much later, but just imagine - if we hadn’t calculated the number correctly, the world’s leading search engine would still be known as ‘BackRub’ instead of a misspelt version of googol. 

No technology for old men

Today’s youngsters think that technology can take care of their parents while they live abroad, claims a senior citizen.

AD: Hi, what’s up? You seem pretty upset.

BC: Just got back from my neighbour’s place. I get all worked up when I see someone choose another country as their home and expect technology to bridge the gap between them and their folks...

AD: I don't understand...

BC: Most people settled abroad think that they've done their duty by calling their parents a couple of times a week. They simply don't understand that it doesn't make up for their absence back home...

AD: Not all of them…

BC: Even if they take a vacation, they would rather holiday at some exotic place than visit their parents.

AD: Look, life abroad is not as rosy as you think it is... Besides, in today’s world, you have to find ways of keeping in touch – e-mails, Facebook, chats...

BC: Not all senior citizens are comfortable with technology. It's so difficult to learn something new after a particular age, especially for those who have never stepped out of their homes...

AD: There are so many ways to learn these days... And there's online help as well.

BC: What if even getting online is a problem for them?

AD: But it’s so easy to operate services like Skype…

BC: There we go again - even if they learn to operate a laptop, turn the internet on and sit in front of the camera, they begin to panic if the image freezes or the audio doesn't work for a few seconds, because they don't know what's going wrong...

AD: But operating a mobile is easy, right? And there are several apps that can help them to...

BC: You're looking at things from your viewpoint. You were born with all this technology around you. In their case, they are having their grandchildren teach them things. There's a big difference... Some of them are uncomfortable, others get intimidated.

AD: So why are you blaming technology for it?

BC: Because its presence is what makes today's generation think that it’s fine to keep in touch with parents back home through some new-fangled device. They don’t realise that the older lot will also be forced to adopt the same technology in order to respond.

AD: But technology is getting friendly…

BC: Hardly! Electronic goods manufacturers are so keen on making products child-friendly or child-proof, but unfortunately, when it comes to the older lot, they show scant regard...

AD: Why, what do you want them to do?

BC: What about special mobile phones for senior citizens who are probably not very comfortable with the current smartphones or the tiny keypads in regular mobiles? What about computers that are voice-enabled...

AD: There are mobiles, computer keyboards and tablets designed especially for the older users...

BC: But I haven't seen much on the shelves here. I hope you aren’t going to suggest that they buy these gadgets online…

AD: Don’t you think senior citizens need to embrace the changing world?

BC: You also need to consider the other problems of old age - failing eyesight, trembling hands, a nervous disposition, poor memory...

AD: That's the reason why technology has ushered in a concept known as pervasive computing. Based on this, computers - equipped with sensors and requisite software - observe and learn more about a person's habits non-intrusively. Soon, they become familiar with a senior citizen's habits and take over as a guide, in case his memory fails him or if he forgets to do something, like take his medicines, for instance.

BC: Sounds good, but these things need to move from being a dazzling experiment to a way of life for us to feel their utility.

AD: So what are you trying to say? That technology is a senior citizen’s biggest enemy?

BC: You’re exaggerating, but the point is, people abroad must understand that filial duties go beyond swinging by once in a while and gifting their folks an iPad.