The Cloud: Why Does It Matter?

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A floating cotton candy that brings rain, hail and snow.

Since modern day technology is a relatively new invention, we tend to warp the meanings of words a lot.

 For instance, a tablet used to be medicine, but now it's a portable computer with touch input. 

 Naming conventions also draw inspiration from nature, like "ecosystem," "virus," "bug," and "mouse."

Today I would like to talk about the cloud as it is now a word that is being used outside of conversations about the weather. 

I first learnt about the intricacies of clouds back in Geography class, from cirrus clouds to cumulonimbus clouds, as well as what they meant.  

Spot a cumulonimbus cloud? Brace for a thunderstorm! (You're welcome!)

Now, "cloud" metaphorically represents remote data storage and processing—ubiquitous, vast, and intangible, like an actual cloud.

"So, Toni, what's so special about the cloud?" To answer, let's imagine a cloud-less 2023 and its impact on our lives.

Goodbye Netflix
With no cloud-based streaming services, people escape boredom by resorting to DVDs to watch movies.

Collaboration Becomes a Disaster
Employees worldwide start sending pigeons equipped with USB drives to share files with their colleagues.

Online Gaming Becomes a Joke
Gamers try to transport all their gaming consoles to their friend's houses for LAN parties.

Social Media Influencers Struggle 
Without instant photo uploads, they're seen dragging printers around to create physical copies of their latest #OOTD (Outfit of the Day).

No More Waze
The demand for old-fashioned paper maps go up and the streets become congested with confused drivers trying to unfold giant maps while steering and using a compass. 



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