Everywhere you look, you’ll see gadgets, apps, and digital conveniences; it’s easy to feel like every piece of technology is essential. For many of us, tech supports our work, our learning, our communication, and even our creativity. But not every tool is actually useful or helpful… or needed. When I look closely at my own habits and routines, I find two categories of technology I could happily live without: video games, and over-engineered “smart” gadgets that solve problems no one really has.
Video games are the one form of tech I wouldn’t miss if they disappeared tomorrow. Many people enjoy them but I’d rather read a book.
The other unnecessary tech? Fancy gadgets that overcomplicate life. Refrigerators with TV screens so I can stream a show or check what’s inside my fridge? I can spare the extra second to open the door. And we already have smartphones and tablets to stream videos. Watching my fridge is overkill.
Everything else, though, plays a meaningful role in my day-to-day life. Computers and phones keep my business running through virtual meetings, calendars, photo organization, restaurant menu previews, navigation to places, and quick calculations. YouTube has become a personal classroom for learning languages and new skills. And AI has become an essential partner for speeding up foundational research, streamlining tasks, and helping me work more efficiently.
In the end, the best technology isn’t the flashiest. It’s the tech that keeps you going from day to day.
Vanya Wryter Consulting Services 