Seven years ago, I was somewhere in Ukambani, fetching water with a wheelbarrow way cheaper than those ones from Bungoma, wearing braids in the same way for half the year and seriously envious of my parents who owned a shared Motorolla M3888, oblivious to another world around me, opened in just a click of a button.
The only source of peer pressure was my friend from church who owned a few trousers and could carry frozen water in a bottle when coming to church. As if that was not impressive enough, she got all the boys I thought were cute. I got to be the girl who made her look good.
In a short while, by JAB’s mercies I found myself in Campus a whole new world was opened. Computers were no longer the thing you read about in books, but realities that everyone expected you to know. The internet defined for me many things and introduced me to a whole new level of problems. You know how you get sick and you Google and then you think you are dying? Yes, those kinds of problems.
But it also introduced a whole new level of information.
‘Did you know that you watch a movie online?’
‘You can also Google, ‘how to get a boyfriend’’ and get tutorials’
As the naïve girl I was, I jumped headlong into the world of the internet and discovered the surprises it held for me. My mind was blown by how easily accessible information was. In a few days, I did not need dad, (he had always been my idol, dictionary, father, teacher, doctor, all wrapped in that loving old man), or friends. I had the internet.
Fast forward to today, when I am no longer impressed with the amount of information you can get, but troubled by how inaccurate some of it is. I am no longer overwhelmed, but glad to be a part of this digital revolution albeit that it was shoved down my throat before I had had enough of walking around with the hard copy of a book.
The digital revolution is changing everything in the way business is conducted. Existing businesses are faced with the pressure of having to create an online presence while new businesses run by technology savvy people are gaining foothold. As more and more young people are charged towards entrepreneurship, it is becoming clear that the internet plays a big role in this society.
A twitter account is almost a basic need. Through social media such as Facebook, Instagram and others as such, people can get to promote their businesses and foster constant communication with them thus ensuring that the services rendered are satisfactory.
The days when university graduates walked around with a large brown envelope containing their CV’s and other documents are almost completely gone, or at least they ought to be, as there are still those who continue to bury their heads in the proverbial sand. Employees who see the change taking place continue to encourage on-line job applications by for instance posting their adverts online.
Story telling as an art, has not escaped untouched. We no longer have to blow horns while sitting around a fire with our chests bare to hear a story concerning our origin, thanks to the internet, we can read about them in the comfort of our homes. Other forms of art as well, such as dance and song have also been redefined in the internet. One needs only have you-tube, and a whole world is opened to them.
The internet, with its evils, advantages and all is here to stay. It is a large part of the digital revolution and has opened doors to a different kind of lifestyle. As people continue to utilize it, more opportunities are added to the already existing ones for its use. You cannot afford to be left behind; as an individual build yourself as a brand being careful of your digital footprint. Companies throw out old advertising and figure out the social in social media. People, take the jump from 1986 to 2015, you do not need a time machine, you need a smart phone.
*The author of this article, Myra Muili, wins herself a ticket to the Digital Camp at Crayfish Camp from the 6th – 8th November.
