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Vicino o Lontano


Italian class Zoom call with WWII survivor.

It's hard to believe how far we have come with technology. Considering we have been living during a pandemic and things continue to go as we least expect it, technology has seen us through. For example, when our Prof. had to make an emergency trip to Italy on a Friday, we were up and running on a Monday. Learning online is not always the easiest but it does provide us with the privileged opportunity of learning from afar.

At the same time, I can't help thinking about those areas that don't have the luxury of technology. This leaves many people at a disadvantage and can create inequality. Even when I visited parts of Italy a few years back the internet wasn't what I expected it to be in the South for such a long-established country. This really surprised me because I thought most European countries have really great internet. I was suddenly reminded about the importance of access when I was trying to close a home sale during my stay in Italy and I had no bars on my phone.

While I hope that access to technology continues to improve for all people everywhere, I can't disregard how far we have come. Just imagine how many changes the 95-year-old mother of my professor (top left) has seen in her life. It's hard to imagine how many technological changes occurred for her. Today, after battling a pandemic she is able to pop on a call with American students across the world and say hello. This is a pretty amazing thing when you really stop to think about it. I can't imagine what I might be able to do when I am 95. When I was a kid I LOVED The Jetsons, Austin just started sending out self-driving delivery cars...when do we get the flying cars?? I'm ready!


Jetsons cartoon characters.

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