The Incredible Speaking Pen

My staff gave me special Christmas gift – a talking pen.  (This is not an attempt at humor) In fact the pen reads, as well as speaks.

 

A camera in the pen takes a picture of what you are writing.  You can then upload your notes to your computer where you can store and exchange them with others in PDF format.

 

But that’s only the beginning of the technology.  The special notebook paper has a control panel that you navigate by touching it with the tip of your pen.  The pen then begins to audio record the lecture or the business meeting.  You can then return to any part of your notes at any time in the future.  By touching any handwritten note on the page with your pen point your pen plays back the recorded proceeding at the exact point in time your wrote your note.  The entire audio session with your notes can be uploaded to your computer.  You can share not only your notes, but the entire lecture with a classmate or colleague who missed it.

 

As much as I am enjoying it, I am literally scared.

 

Where is all this technology going?  Are a webcam and an imbedded chip in everyone’s future – recording every aspect of our lives – to make sure we do not miss anything and get it right?

 

But to what end?

 

The most powerful processor that exists is man’s brain.  Mankind has not begun to understand the potential that lies within.  It is the integration of knowledge and emotion and feeling and the application of common sense that define who were are, what we will become and where we are going.  Where we have been is only a part of the process.  We gain nothing if we have all the facts and loose our humanity. For most interaction with others, there is no precise defined role or specific way to act.  Will mankind become so focused on knowing and seeing all, and having a computer provide the answer, that we loose a sense of self?

 

Our spiritual being, our sense of self worth, distinguishes us from a computer.  Our separate lives and our sense of individuality, including our mistakes, define us – and give life meaning.

 

“My kingdom for a horse”  My soul for a pen?

 

Society must keep prospective – so what do you think?  Speak into my pen…..

 

Michael D’Angelo

 

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