Welcome to Tech TV. I’m your host, Jinsu. Today, we will talk about inventions that have changed world culture. For today’s show, I have invited two students, Yujin and Jiwon. Thank you for coming here.

Nice to meet you.

Thank you for inviting me.

Yujin, can you start off with the first invention?

Alright. I am wearing a jumper today. On my jumper, you’ll see a surprisingly important invention that completely changed our clothing culture. Can you guess what it is?

A zipper.

Exactly. If zippers had not been invented, we would still be fastening our clothes with buttons. How would our life be different if we did not have zippers? Putting on and taking off clothes would be very inconvenient and difficult. Moreover, buttons don’t make a very tight seal, which is a big disadvantage in cold climates.

I have another story about invention, Jinsu. In the future, you will have job interviews. What will you wear?

A necktie, a suit, and a pair of leather shoes!

The first thing that comes to mind is a necktie. Then where do you think this item came from? America? Italy? France? None of them. The origin of the necktie traces back to Croatian traditions. During the Thirty Years’ War, Croatian soldiers wore a scarf around the neck, which their fiancees gave as a symbol of their mutual love. Later, Louis XIV wore it because he thought it was fashionable, and since then, it spread to the rest of the world. Nowadays, it is something most people around the world, from presidents to ordinary people like us, wear in formal situations. In addition, the necktie is not just a piece of cloth. It is a formal accessory that expresses the person’s personality, mood, or inner character. The type of tie a person wears can reveal who he or she is or is trying to be.

Now I understand how the zipper and the necktie changed world culture. What are other stories of inventions that have innovatively transformed world culture?

I think the smartphone is definitely the most remarkable innovation of the current era. It didn’t just revolutionize communication technology, but also transformed the ways people interact with others and even with themselves. It means that the smartphone has become an indispensable part of ourselves, and, therefore, it influences our identity and sense of being. Listen to what this teenage boy has to say.

To him, a smartphone is not just an electronic device. It is an extension of himself or his second self. There are many people like him who regard the smartphone as more than just a device. Take a look at the results of this survey. Most people cannot live without their smartphones nearby for very long, if at all.

I am part of the 74% who feel uneasy leaving my phone at home. I have also seen people in the same room texting each other.

This trend raises some concerns about people being overly obsessed with smartphones, with a term even coined to describe it: nomophobia (no-mobile phone-phobia). When their smartphone is not near, people feel lost and anxious, afraid of spending a moment away from their smartphone. Spending too much time on your smartphone can harm your real life. Instead of getting lost in the magical world of smartphones, we need some time away from smartphones to reflect on moments of our lives and figure out who we really are.

Thank you, Yujin, for your great story. Jiwon, what is your next story?

I would like to talk about kiosks. They have become increasingly common in recent years. Can you tell me when you use kiosks?

I have to use a kiosk to enter the study cafe I go to because it is run by an unmanned system. I also use kiosks at fast food restaurants to place orders and when I check in at the airport because it is faster.

Yes. Kiosks are everywhere and are rapidly becoming more common. The word “kiosk” actually comes from the Persian word “kūshk,” meaning “palace.” In English, this meant “a small and comfortable open space.” With the advent of touch screen technology, it now refers to machines that transmit information in both directions.

That’s interesting. I did not know the origin. But I think there are some people who do not welcome new inventions like kiosks.

I agree. While many people find kiosks convenient and private, others see them as threats. Listen to what this older lady says about a kiosk.

She reminds me of the concept of cultural lag that I learned in my social studies class. It means the delays in adjusting to new inventions.

That is correct. I think kiosk technology should be improved in such a way that everyone, regardless of age, nationality, or ability, can use it comfortably. Until then, human assistance will still be necessary for customers who prefer it. Otherwise, it could lead to a digital divide. This is why we need to educate people on technology so that we can bridge the gap between those who are good with technology and those who are not.

I think you made a very important point, Jiwon. Now that we’ve learned about various inventions that have changed world culture so far, I’m eager to see what inventions will surprise us in the time to come.

As the inventions human civilization has made so far have enriched our cultures, so will those of the future.

Futurists predict technologies like stem cell research, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, nanorobotics, and quantum computing will change the future. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact these future inventions will have on our cultures.

I’m looking forward to the future, too. That’s all for today’s show. Thank you, Yujin and Jiwon, for sharing such interesting stories. I hope today’s discussion was helpful for those who are interested in technology and culture.