Top 10 Inventions of the last 25 years

Modern inventions that we use today is something that I actually think about on a regular basis. Think about the conveniences that we have today and what life would be like without them. Sometimes we take things for granted until we don't have them, even for just a short period of time. Life was a bit different back when I was 12 years old. This inspired me to post what I consider the best inventions in the last 25 years. This was an interesting exercise. It really made me think about what affects our world. Most of my entries are electronics so maybe I have a skewed view on things (he he). I'm curious to see if you agree with my list. I'm also curious to see if anyone has better suggestions that I'm just not thinking of. Here is my list:

10. Energy Drinks I bet a lot of people would disagree with me on this one. Maybe it's because I'm a computer programmer and we have a reputation for downing mass amounts of caffiene. Red Bull's are quite a pick-me-up when you are in a pinch. And how popular are RBV (Reb Bull Vodka's) at the bars?? Yum. Energy AND a buzz, what more could you want?

9. Instant Messaging Not only a great way to keep in touch with friends, but I know I use IM at work for business purposes almost as much as emailing (definitely more than the phone).

8. Viagra Yes, boner pills. Go ahead a laugh! But think about it - what did guys with ED do before Viagra?? Tell me that is not huge (no pun intended).

7. Digital Camera Remember taking pictures with an old school camera? Remember that first time you snapped a photo with a digital camera and you were able to preview the picture on the spot? How cool was that! Remember having to run to Walgreens to get your pictures developed and then some of them didn't come out anyway? That was quite a process. Not to mention the fact that you can easily transer pictures digitally to your PC and upload them to the web.

6. Text Messaging I would actually be pretty OK if I was never able to speak on the phone again, as long as I could still text. But take texting away and someone is gonna get hurt.

5. DVR Envision your old VCR. Buying tapes. Programming your VCR to record your favorite show if you were gone. Remember piles and piles of tapes lying around? Or recording over something important? I absolutely love DVR technology. Not only all the nice conveniences for recording options, but just pausing/rewinding live TV. I am so spoiled now I can barely watch a TV that does not have DVR.

4. High Definition Ok, remember seeing High Definition for the first time? All I could remember was think wow, I'm getting one. How awesome does High Def make movies and sports? Try watching a non HDTV sometime. Ouch! It's actually painful.

3. Email What would life be without email. I don't want to remember. This is one of those things that affects both business and personal life.

2. Mobile Phone What a great convenience. I have two words for you... Pay Phone. Remember if you had to get a hold of somebody and you were driving, you had to stop at a gas station to find a pay phone. Also remember looking up phone numbers in the phone book. Ha ha. Come one, who remembers phone numbers any more?? I barely remember my own phone number. I definitely don't know any besides mine. Also consider the safety factor. What would you do if you were stranded somewhere without a phone right now? Wait for a trustworthy stranger to happen along?

1. The Internet Come on, what is better than the internet? How crippling would it be if the internet would just go away? I know I would be out of a job for starters (lol)! Think about looking up directions, finding phone numbers, addresses, bank accounts, credit card accounts, paying bills online, looking at pictures from friends/relatives, social networking, internet dating, (I could go on).

Ok, so some of these are actually by-products of some of the other inventions. But I felt they needed their own entry (Email/IM is tied to internet, Text Messaging is tied to Mobile Phone).

Let the debate begin! I want to hear from you!

-Jim