“The Internet of Things… and the Madness of Having Too Many Things”
Living in the 2020’s feels like waking up in a sci-fi novel every day—except it’s not fiction anymore. From smartwatches tracking my every heartbeat to refrigerators that apparently care more about my milk than I do, the Internet of Things (IoT) is now part of everyday life. As a college student who survived a global pandemic, I’ve seen how helpful technology can be—but also how easy it is to get sucked into this weird “smart everything” rabbit hole. My take? IoT isn’t the enemy. It’s a tool. But like any tool, it can either build or break you depending on how you use it.
So, there’s this TEDx talk by Benson Hougland, where he says IoT could be bigger than the Internet itself. He paints this picture of a world where your lights adjust automatically, your health is monitored in real-time, and your coffee maker knows exactly when you want your caffeine fix. Sounds awesome, right? Sure, it’s impressive. But also… do I really need my house thinking for me? I can barely remember my own phone password some days. And now you want my toaster to nag me? Nah, I’m good.
When COVID-19 hit, everything went digital overnight. Classes, meetings, grocery runs—all became “click and go.” IoT devices helped many of us survive isolation—thermal scanners, contact tracing apps, even those fancy automated hand sanitizers you saw everywhere. In those moments, I got why IoT matters. It wasn’t about convenience; it was about survival.
But post-pandemic? Man, it feels like we’re on the fast track to a world where everything has to be smart. Smart lights, smart doors, smart toilets (yes, those exist). And honestly, some of it just screams lazy. Like, seriously, am I supposed to brag that my coffee machine talks to my phone? I’d rather learn to make a decent cup myself than let an app do it. Where’s the fun in that? Where’s the challenge? Sometimes you gotta mess up your coffee to appreciate a good one.
Effort matters. As a student, learning isn’t about just downloading answers. It’s about struggling, failing, and figuring things out. Life’s the same. If everything’s automated, we lose the chance to grow. It’s okay to do things the hard way. That’s how we stay human. And no, I’m not about to give up burning my tongue on hot coffee anytime soon just to save a few seconds.
That’s why I’m all for IoT—but with limits. I use tech where it actually helps—tracking my sleep, keeping my schedule on point, getting those class notifications without scrambling. But I still write notes by hand. I still cook without yelling at Alexa. And I definitely prefer face-to-face talks over chat bubbles. IoT should support us, not babysit us.
Oh, and privacy? Big deal. The more devices we connect, the more data we hand out. During the pandemic, giving up privacy for safety made sense. But now, we have to ask: who owns our info? Who’s cashing in? These aren’t just tech questions—they’re life questions. Technology shouldn’t be some sneaky contract you sign without reading.
At the end of the day, IoT isn’t some sci-fi villain ready to take over the world. It has huge potential—helping with healthcare, disaster response, saving the environment. But it’s up to us to decide where the line is. I want a smart world, but not one where I become a couch potato ruled by my smart fridge.
So yeah, bring on the smart devices. But I’m keeping my effort, my curiosity, and my right to rant about the three different apps I have to use just to turn on the lights in my own house. That’s what keeps me smarter than the machines around me—and that’s a choice I’m sticking to.
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