What we never knew we could not live without

AlvinToffler's international bestseller Future Shock was penned in 1970. Describing various psychological states of humanity that were and would possibly be brought on by too much change, too fast, it is riveting reading 40 years later. Super-industrialised change would overwhelm us, causing "shattering stress and disorientation", supposedly. This author penned the phrase "information overload" and carved out an argument that the majority of social problems were the symptoms of this "future shock", and exacerbated by a technological disconnect.

In fact what happened is that we just can't get enough texts, emails, tweets, Facebook messages, skypes, blogs or feeds. We crave the mobile smart devices that portal to us our crucial daily diet of words, stock quotes and gossip.

Just as if you build a five-lane motorway where once there was only a crumbly piece of bitumen, and it instantly fills with cars, we are soaking up technology as fast as we can lay our little hands on it.

Alvin Toffler was right in some small respects: sitting at home all day texting and Facebooking may lead to vitamin D deficiencies in complete addicts who then become social hermits and write school essays in text-speak. However, the level of communication we can now enjoy with friends and family, particularly those in far-flung places like Tanzania, has never been higher or of better quality. The opportunities for business engagement and employment through these channels have never been more numerous.

We are also soaking up technological things we didn't really know we wanted...Take iTunes. Nobody was waking up seven years ago thinking, "Boy I could really do with an online song-store where I download tracks for $1.79 a pop on to a teeny portable card thing".

The first iPhone was only unleashed four-and-a-half years ago, yet now absolutely none of their owners could ever live without one.

One of Apple's simplistic glories is that their innovation turns products and processes that nobody ever dreamed of into everyday essentials. Once this innovation becomes obvious, everyone says "Well of course we all wanted that" and "It was inevitable someone would invent it".

Companies like Apple, who have ditched the "can't do" attitude of their major counterparts, are leaving others dead in the water as they introduce amazing, high-quality new products backed by brilliantly focused marketing campaigns.

Three years ago the iPad was just a twinkle in Steve Jobs' eye.

Today, as his 26 years at the top of Apple come to an operational end, let's give a big corporate salute to the chap that took a crippled and divided company and made it into the most valuable corporation on the planet.

Caroline Ritchie is an investment adviser with Forsyth Barr in Napier. She can be contacted on 0800 367 227 or caroline.ritchie@forsythbarr.co.nz.

Her disclosure statement is available on request and free of charge. This column is general in nature and should not be regarded as personalised investment advice.