Heads Up English | ESL Lessons - The End of the Digital Age

The End of the Digital Age

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Details: Parent Category: Lower-Intermediate News Lessons; Category: Science and Technology; Written by Chris Cotter

Computers have become an important part of our societies and our lives. We take them for granted. We also take for granted the technological advances that appear every few years. Computers get quicker, the Internet offers more information, and other household devices do more. But what would happen if we had to wait longer and longer for electronics to improve? Or what would happen if the devices never improved?

It's a realistic possibility, and microchip manufacturers are concerned. The chips can't get much smaller in size, so they have begun to reach their limits. Therefore, manufacturers have invested billions of dollars into research and development into smart chips. These new chips will adjust their function to the needs of the program and the user.

It's a race among chip manufacturers because there aren't many answers beyond that point. It could mean the end of the digital age.

If technology slowed down, it would seriously affect economies around the world. Electronics would cost more. Consumers wouldn't upgrade because of fewer new products year after year.

Preview some of the lesson material:

Do you agree or disagree? Why?

The Internet is the most important invention of the last 100 years.
The computer is the most important invention of the last 100 years.
In 20 years, computers will be the size of a watch.
In 20 years, computers will run most of our homes and businesses.
There will be a computer or Internet crash in the future.

Questions: Answer the questions to check comprehension.

According to the article, what do we take for granted?
What do microchip manufacturers think about the problem?
What are microchip manufacturers doing about the problem?
What will smart chips be able to do?
Why would economies be affected?

post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

Do you think the proposed scenario will happen in the future? Why/not?
What do you think would happen if technological advancements stopped?
What do you think would happen if there were a technological crash?
How often do you use computers? Would a technological slow down concern you?
Do you think there are greater problems facing the world in the near future?

Google Search: Type "digital age" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.