As I was driving into work this morning I was listening to my favorite morning radio show and they were talking about a recent researcher who claims that within the next 45 years, robots will replace most things in our world, including substituting for real human interaction and companionship. Of course, this topic had many listeners calling in to share their thoughts and comments.

What if robots ruled the world? Most of the reactions were disbelieving that it would ever happen. People may use robots as stand-ins for routine daily chores, but when it comes to the basics of human needs, most didn’t think robots could rule. For example, a robot cannot give you the love and emotions you desire from your partner. A robot cannot give you advice like your best friend can. One listener even worried that robots would serve as a way to control the population and prevent overcrowding. And in the end, as another listener pointed out, robots cannot pay taxes and become real and active members of society, so economically, this idea would never work. And the technology required would be costly, so it seems only the upper echelon of society would be privy to the use of robot services. And, on a travel-related note, you probably would not be able to get your robotic pal through security at the airport!

While now this idea does not seem likely, who really knows what 45 years will bring? I mean, technology is slowly taking over most facets of our life. I mean, just over the past few months, I have purchased a new computer to update myself and I am always on it. I mean, no one looks up information in books anymore, if you want to know something, you google it! I also upgraded to a Blackberry which is the most up-to-date way of constantly being in touch. With email at your fingertips and a miniature computer with you at all times, you are virtually connected to the world every second of the day. I got a GPS, which as John Wroblewski mentioned in an earlier blog, has made car trips much easier and pretty much eliminated the use of maps and atlases. GPS has made navigation a cinch! And, even though, I got an iPod just a few years ago, I recently updated from the Mini to the Nano and I am amazed at the difference. First of all, its so small and in color! With technology moving at such a rapid pace, whose to say we won’t have robots or machines performing every task for us someday. After all, most people are always looking for ways to make their busy lives easier. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I mean, I am one person and those upgrades for over the course of two months, imagine the upgrades and changes over the course of 45 years!

I also recently had a conversation with a friend about video games and other technology. When I asked if he would be playing gaming systems in his 50s and 60s, he responded that while not only outgrowing the video games concept, he thinks eventually the technology will outgrow him. At some point, do we grow past the point of understanding and adapting to new technology? Maybe so for the older generations, but I think most of my generation and the generations to come will be so used to using technology for everything and adapting to new technology so rapidly, it will never grow past them.

And yet, sometimes, circumstances make us realize that perhaps we need to take a step back from technology and learn how to do things the long way. Just a small example, but I was in a store recently and the cashier got all flustered when I handed her change after she had rung the transaction into the register. She had no idea how to figure out the proper change in her head. At those moments I often wonder if we should be using calculators and registers right from the start or if technology has hindered us at times. Even other basic concepts - will everyone using GPS mean people can no longer read a map?

So, what do you think? Will robots rule the world? Is technology launching us forward and holding us back at the same time?

-Kimberly Krol, circulation and public relations executive