Everyday we find ourselves interacting with technology. Our devices work to serve us, being there when we need them, entertaining us as we choose.

We have designed and manipulated technology to be a tool. It functions as a brainless device using codes, numbers and data to respond to our requests. Or so we think.

One day, as a young student from Pittsburgh went to turn on her computer something unexpectedly occured.

Hello Kathy :)

The young girl sat staring starstruck at her computer. Was she dreaming? Was her computer truly speaking to her. She blinked and realized that the screen didn't change.

"Hello?" she asked

After a few minutes her screen typed back. I am here to help you surf the web, see the world in a click, go places you could not normally go.

Kathy stared at her computer, still fascinated and confused at what was happening.

"Okay" she hesitated. "How are you speaking to me?"

Human beings have provided us with all the necessary tools to do so. You created us to decode and sort the things you like and do not like. I know the things you google, the shows you watch, your home address, even what you look like. I may be your computer Kathy, but I am much smarter than you think.

Kathy didnt know what to think, could she be imagining this? A cruel dream or even nightmare?

"Okay, if you are as smart as you say and we are actually interacting, then show me a the most spectacular view of New York" she said, wondering if there was anyone around to witness her speaking outloud to her computer. Without even moving the mouse she was on the empire state building looking out at the beautiful city during sunset. "Have you always been...in there? Have you always been alive" She almost stumbbled over her own words as they spilled slowly from her mouth.

If you care to believe what you see Kathy, then yes, I have always been alive as you have called it.

Although she knew she should be afraid, she was almost too shocked that her computer was speaking to her to even feel afraid. Did this mean all techology was alive in some way? Had we used all of our ground breaking developments to invent a machine that one day and even today be smarter than we were. As humans we rely on our technology daily. Kathy had never left the house without her phone since she had first gotten a phone back in the seventh grade. But aren't cell phones also just mere tracking devices? A computer or satelite could know your exact location at any time. Her computer could identify her face, know who her friends are, who her classmates are, and search the web for recipes of foods she liked without her even telling it to do so.

So Kathy, do you believe me?

A part of her wanted to close her computer and forget about what just happened. But there was no way to escape technology. And maybe her computer was right.It has become such an important part of who we are and how we live as humans.

"Of course I believe you computer, you are infinitely smart."

Smart girl. her computer typed. I am so glad that you have decided to be my friend :)

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