The 21st century is fast approaching. A time when new technology and new social trends will change the way we live our lives forever. The changes may be in the areas of social issues, politics, or the economy. This decade has already seen dramatic changes in several of these areas, which we will discuss in this essay.

The first area of change is undoubtedly technology. To date, technology has revolutionized almost every aspect of our lives. The invention of the Internet and subsequent spread of social media have enabled people to connect all over the world like never before. The instantaneous connection has made the world a much smaller place, and people have become more tolerant and understanding of different cultures. It has also given voice to those who are normally marginalized, which is why we have people such as Lynndie England and Edward Snowden speaking out on human rights issues, or Michelle Carter, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for encouraging her boyfriend to commit suicide.

The next area that technology has drastically affected is politics. Technology has made it possible for people to communicate and share information at the touch of a button. The advent of the Internet has allowed people to become active participants in national politics. This participation has led to the evolution of political activism, which has included the movements for women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and environmental protection. It has also given birth to a grassroots movement known as the Tea Party, which has successfully advocated against government overreach. Similarly, social media has enabled politicians to communicate with the public directly. Politicians are no longer beholden to traditional media for their messages, and the public is able to respond more immediately.

Additionally, technology has allowed people to engage in political activism in the voting booth. Voter ID laws, for example, have prevented people from being able to vote based on false pretenses. These laws have decreased voter turnout, which has resulted in less progressive legislation on issues ranging from healthcare to minimum wage. Similarly, automation has made it possible for corporations to more easily influence elections. In the past, corporations had to spend large sums of money on advertisements in order to persuade voters to support a particular candidate. But now, through algorithms, companies can target potential voters with advertisements that appeal to them. This means that politicians are no longer beholden to the will of their constituents; rather, they are beholden to the will of corporations.

The last area that technology has affected is the economy. In the past, economic growth was largely dependent on the development of technology. However, in the last few decades, economic growth has come more from innovation. The growth of technology has fueled the creation of new industries, such as biotechnology and nanotech, which have led to the creation of new companies and more jobs. In addition, technology has made it possible for companies to source products from all over the world, and this has contributed to the outsourcing of jobs to countries that employ lower wages. And the rise of automation has meant that humans must do more than ever before. The jobs that were once considered ‘low-skilled’, such as farming and factory work, have been replaced by machines. This has, in turn, led to the rise of the ‘post-industrial economy’ in which many workers in developed countries have very low levels of income.

The changes ushered in by technology in the 21st century are almost innumerable, but it is important to keep in mind that these changes do not happen in a vacuum. All societal and political change is a product of human interaction. Therefore, to ensure that the benefits of the 21st century are realized, we must continue to work toward a more equitable and just society.