Technology is magic

​This afternoon I had an online town hall meeting scheduled during lunch break, and a pressing errand to run to the post office. 
So I combined the two things and, because I didn't have the car available, I ended up running to the post office, tuning into the town hall on my phone, via my bluetooth headset, over the mobile network.  

The live stream flowed seamlessly, with crystal-clear audio, all while I was on the move. As I ran and listened, I couldn't help but marvel at the miracle of modern technology at our fingertips.

This got me reflecting on the incredible evolution of technology and communication infrastructure over the last 30 years. 
What a journey it's been, starting from my first interaction with an 8088 computer for my dad's furniture business and assembling my first 486 PC in the early '90s.

Every day, I am left astounded by the capabilities of our modern devices. Perhaps my sense of wonder is heightened by my understanding of the intricate processes that go on behind the scenes, but I find the advancements staggering. 
And the trajectory seems to continue at a ever faster pace. There appears to be no limit to potential applications and innovation.

But does the average person truly appreciate the magical world we live in? 
Will my children be curious about how everything works behind the scene, at a "foundational level" like I do? (And admittedly, I don't even scratch the surface of what is really going on passed a certain point)

Just last week, I found myself discussing the concept of "downloading an app" with my 9-year-old. 
His understanding of the process seems to operate at a level far removed from mine, and I realise that my perspective isn't necessarily relevant to him, or to the majority of the world for that matter.

So, what does this mean for us as a society?

It appears that technology has already reached a level of abstraction that negates the necessity to comprehend what's happening behind the scenes. We accept our devices as magic boxes that we interact with, no need to peek inside the black box. While the consumer in me finds this convenient and perfectly appropriate, the old-school techie in me feels a tinge of nostalgia. Those days of tinkering with hardware and software, for the joy of making a screen blink, seem to be long one. 
Regardless, I'm excited to see where this technological rollercoaster will take us next. 
I maintain my positive outlook, very cautious and skeptical, but positive.