Accomplishing Unthinkable Feats Because of Technology

By: Beth Kneisler, Account Executive, Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.

I recently read a news story about a woman who is planning to swim 103 miles this summer from Cuba to Key West, Florida. The woman is 61-year-old Diana Nyad. What I found most interesting about this story is that one of the reasons Diana is so confident in meeting her goal is because of the technologies that will be utilized during her journey.

Diana first tried attempting this brave feat in 1978 when she was just 29 years old, but she was forced to abandon the effort due to weather conditions. Despite her age now, the technologies that she’ll be using may just help her meet her goal! Diana and her team will be using satellites, global positioning systems, advanced navigation software and special electronic “shields” to help deter ocean predators. Because of the technologies available now, just 33 years after her first attempt, her
team will be able to accurately forecast when weather conditions will be ideal for her journey.

This story is extremely amazing and inspiring and it got me thinking about how I take technology for granted. I used to view technology as something that makes things simpler in our day-to-day-lives. And while this is certainly true, advances in technology are allowing people to achieve amazing things! Take a minute to think about how much more you can accomplish during any given day. Thanks to the Internet and smart phones, we can research, respond to emails, schedule meetings and appointments and pay our bills all while accomplishing other tasks at the same time! Think beyond that to how technology has allowed us to develop the land rovers on Mars and help amputees with a technologically advanced arm or leg. Diana Nyad’s story is a great example and reminder of how much else we can achieve through today’s technologies.

Do you have any examples in your life that technologies have allowed you to do something amazing? What about examples of how technologies help you achieve things on a daily basis, whether it’s personally or professionally? I’d love to hear your thoughts!