IT’S JUST THE WIND

The wind possesses a sentimental soul

A sincere and soft heart to adore the trees

Passionately in love, maybe not yet, how can the wind know?

When in the middle of chaos

There are many mountain tops it has to blow

The wind wonders why we live on the same earth

When the trees and the wind colour the afternoon of dating

Why humans observe discreetly each other’s wounds

The trees pretend not to know the wind

The trees pretend not to love

Not to have a fond remembrance, not to be jealous

They let the wind pass by

Like an apricot branch that never blooms

Like a romantic couple

Never passing this town on a bike

Happiness streaking through them like a comet

They couldn’t stop laughing

And by a cafe she drank two cups of lemon juice

Not sure if the trees have to pretend not to love anyone else

For the afternoon leaning, a few drops of sunlight scattering

For the unsteady sea forgetting its quiet sail

For the humans with the same blood colour

Keep doubting each other and forming opposite sides

The wind wishes

There are no wars on earth

The trees are not neglected

And the stormy seasons

Have not caused misunderstanding between them

So that when the wind passing by

The trees would feel

Love is so affectionate, trustworthy and cherishing

So that when the wind passing by

We would love our earth a lot more

The wind blames the trees just a little bit

Then it would be back to its chaotic journey

Then it would surf this planet

That is filled with colourful happy and sad stories

IT’S JUST THE WIND was born from a reflection on the affections between beings, whether trees and wind, or people with one another. I imagined the wind is a force of nature and a soul with longing, tenderness, and a wish for peace. Through metaphor, this poem seeks to speak gently to the human condition: our hesitations, our masks, and our shared yearning for connection in a divided world. The wind becomes a witness, sometimes brushed aside, sometimes misunderstood, but always carrying the hope that love can be felt openly and that harmony, like wind through branches, might one day move through us all. (Vo Thi Nhu Mai)

Võ Thị Như Mai is a Vietnamese writer, poet, and translator based in Western Australia. She has published four poetry collections in Vietnamese and numerous translated works both in Vietnam and abroad. A senior specialist teacher and cultural advocate, Mai also hosts a literary podcast and contributes essays on multicultural literature. Her long-running website, vietnampoetry.wordpress.com, has showcased Vietnamese poetry and translation for over 15 years.

Pomposity and Circumcision

I was an extremely nervous Veteran in my mid-20s, attending college on the G.I. Bill. I wasn’t at this institution of higher learning in pursuit of knowledge. I had been laid off one too many dead-end jobs, and decided to turn to Uncle Sam to provide me with some income.

Veterans could obtain open admission status at Jersey City State College. During the first day of a literature class a rather plump, middle-aged English professor went around the room to each student and asked us who was our favorite writer.

I was at the end of the room in the back row, so my response would be among the last.

The names of authors that the students bandied about baffled me–I had heard the name of 2: Shakespeare of course (though unfamiliar with his work), but as the students spouting names totally unfamiliar to me snaked their way towards my response, I began to panic.

I wasn’t much of a reader before my stint in Vietnam. If I read anything it would be newspapers and magazines, not books, because what’s the point of reading stuff that’s made up?

But while overseas a barracks buddy we called Happy Jack gave me James Michener’s novel The Source. I told him I didn’t see the point of reading novels because it wasn’t about the truth. Happy Jack responded that it was great historical fiction and filled with cool stuff that really happened.

Happy Jack convinced me to read it. I was enchanted with the epic storytelling married to historical facts about the ancient history of the Jews that took readers up to the creation of the state of Israel.

One of the memorable storylines in this novel was about a great Jewish athlete in Israel (based on fact) who was a favorite of the Roman occupying Governor. He wanted to enhance his own glory by sending his prized athlete to compete in Rome. The problem was that all Roman athletes competed in the nude and it would be unacceptable for a circumcised athlete to perform at the games.

The Roman Governor offered his Jewish sports prodigy a very painful medical procedure that would result in a foreskin being sewed back on. The ambitious Jewish athlete dreamed of competing in Rome. When he informed his parents and Temple priests of this choice, they rebuked him and said if he accepted this blasphemous medical procedure, he would no longer be considered a Jew and would be outcast from his true people. After an agonizing deliberation, he chose the operation and this gifted Jew became a celebrated Roman athlete.

This book me led me to read another Michener novel, The Drifters, which blew me away because this author was in his sixties when he wrote about my hippy generation and got everything right, including how and what esoteric music influenced us. During the rest of my military tour, I devoured novel after novel by him.

When it came my turn to declare my favorite author, I proudly said James Michener. The Professor stopped and feigned complete shock. She said she was asking for real authors, not pseudo-writers like my literary hero, whom she put in the same category as popular exploitation authors Jacqueline Susan and Harold Robbins.

I was humiliated by her put-down, especially since I was probably the oldest student in class. But as the minutes ticked by, my shame turned into anger. I felt cut, wounded. Not only had she insulted me, but she also insulted an author that I truly loved and who had ignited within me a passion to read literature. When class ended, I got up the courage—after the other students left—to tell her how upset I was.

Back then Vietnam Vets lived with the stereotype that we were mostly crazed and a cauldron of potential violence, so she seemed very uncomfortable with my confronting her for calling out my “lame” literary taste in class.

I knew that quite a few guys in the military used Harold Robbins as jerk-off books, but Michener was most certainly not in that salacious league. I asked her if she had read any Michener books and she told me she had not. When I asked why not, she said she assumed he was a sleazy writer because he was so popular. She dismissed him as a literary artist in lieu of being a soft porn commercial hack. She said the marketing of many of his trade paperback book covers seemed to come straight out of pulp fiction art.

When I related some of his content and how it affected me to the point where I could now comfortably embrace the genre of fiction, to her credit she gave me a heartfelt apology. Her words of contrition replaced my anger towards her with genuine respect.

This early academic encounter helped erase my intense insecurity that a High School dropout with a military-issued G.E.D. diploma did not belong on a college campus.

Mark Blickley grew up within walking distance of New York’s Bronx Zoo. He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild, PEN American Center, and Veterans For Responsible Leadership. His latest book is the flash fiction collection ‘Hunger Pains’ (Buttonhook Press).

trying to capture the moment

and here comes this light

soul saying all the right

things

sharing secrets

trying to capture the

moment

it makes me laugh

all of us

broken souls

searching for a better

tomorrow in a world

hell bent on destroying

itself

longing for a touch

a kiss on the sunset

as the world burns

it always ends the same

someone will need money

and i will have seen this

scam before

i respect the honest criminals

they found something

they were good at

most of us don’t

———————————————————

this time of year

the apartments behind

us like to play with

fireworks this time

of year

they will usually go

to two or three in the

morning

that is usually when

some genius

probably drunk

will throw a firecracker

into the dumpster

that explosion usually

wakes up the entire

neighborhood

a world war two vet

used to live next door

to me

too many memories

in the middle of the

night for him in his

nineties

he made it out

i doubt the rest

of us will

————————————————

memory of joy

growing up in dysfunction

doesn’t bring much memory

of joy when the holidays

roll around

only the moaning and bitching

about every little thing

so, for this fourth of july

i did my laundry

fucked up my back while

stripping my bed clean

icing that bad back

and counting the bottles

of whiskey over in the

corner and how many

it would take

dysfunction never leaves

you

like a cancer

a disease that knows

no limit

and i’m supposed to

give this joy to a child

fuck you

—————————————————————

tucked away in the darkness

i often think about

death these days

yours

mine

everyone i suppose

nothing comes from

these thoughts

they are tucked away

in the darkness

always willing to

come out and play

in the rain if ever

allowed

insomnia likes to

creep inside of me

open up a book

and a bottle of

wine

so, if you ever see

me bleary eyed

and laughing

we’ve got to a

chapter about the

pursuit of pussy

or power or some

motherfucker that

thinks there is a

difference between

the two

———————————————————————-

everyone wonders

the water is rising

paradise is burning

and everyone wonders

where is god

and i know i am the

crazy one for showing

the world the bullshit

of organized religion

yet no one wants to

give anything more

than thoughts and

prayers

god forbid

believe in science

stop raping the planet

stop thinking the rich

will save you

or any elected official

gives two shits about

anything other than

money

you have to be the

difference

you are the solution

because, eventually

you will realize

you is all you got

————————————————————-

J.J. Campbell

51 Urban Ln.

Brookville, OH 45309-9277

jcampb4593@aol.com

https://evildelights.blogspot.com

https://goodreads.com/jjthepoet

J.J. Campbell (1976 – ?) is trapped in suburbia, looking for some lost soul to complete his misery. He’s been widely published over the years, most recently at Misfit Magazine, Disturb the Universe Magazine, The Beatnik Cowboy, Mad Swirl and Yellow Mama. Rumor has it he may have a new book coming out sometime before he dies. You can find him most days legally betting on sports and taking care of his disabled mother. He still has a blog, though he rarely has the time to post on it. (https://evildelights.blogspot.com)

The Good Life

Three years after the onset of my chronic illness, I realized it was up to me to manage my condition. And what better way to take control than through the practice of chaos magick? In no time at all, I began sleeping better, which helped with the brain fog and whatnot; but, my heart rate still hovered around 160 bpm, and the loneliness remained unabated. 

So, I created a sigil tied to the intention, “I am healthy and at peace.” 

Who would have imagined I’d wake up this morning at the farmers’ market, sitting contentedly within the kohlrabi bin? I’ll admit, I am a fine specimen, fit as a fiddlestick; and, there’s little to fret over as a card-carrying member of the cabbage family. 

A beneficent figure approaches, blocking the glare of the sun. Her bracelets jangle as she rifles through the bin. I then feel a gentle pressure upon me.

Well, how do you do? I think to myself as I’m lifted and carefully placed into a well-used reusable tote.

At last, rather than rotting in my bed, I get to live out the rest of my days with this lovely hippy-dippy lady who reeks of patchouli. Sure, she’ll cut me into slices and slather me in Bitchin’ Sauce; but, after years of frustration, I’ll have, at last, fulfilled my destiny—bringing joy to someone capable of seeing me as I am.

In a remote village, in an old brick house, lived a mother and her two children.

The mother’s name was Guzal, and her children’s names were Oysha and Komil.
Their father had left for the city in search of work several years ago and never sent any letters after that.

Every morning, Guzal would take her weaving tool and weave adras cloth,
and in the evening, she would become a mother — telling stories to her children.
They lacked material things, but their hearts were full of hope.

One day, Oysha came home from school crying.
“Mom,” she said, “The teacher said: ‘It’s good to dream, but consider your reality.’
But I was dreaming of becoming a pilot…”

Guzal hugged her daughter tightly.
“My dear,” she said, “On the day you truly dream, even the sky won’t be able to stop you.
Just never stop believing.”

From that day on, Guzal read books to her children every night.
They couldn’t afford to buy books, but the old books in the village library were like treasures to them.

Years passed, and Komil became a doctor.
And Oysha — yes, she really became a pilot.

The first time she flew over their village, she waved at her mother from the plane.
And her mother stood on the ground, in a large flower garden, holding her weaving tool.

There was such a smile on her face —
as if the whole world was smiling back at her.

Mashhura Farhodovna Jo‘raqulova
Born on May 16, 2004, in Termez, Surkhandarya region.
She is a 4th-year student at the Termez State Pedagogical University, specializing in Foreign Language and Literature.

Father

For the happiness of children
They work hard from morning to night
Without giving less than anyone
They bring them to maturity
They give their lives for their children
They forget themselves
Without working hard
They make us happy
My father

Mother

Your beautiful love
Is unique in the world
A mother like you
Will never be found in the world
Sometimes by giving reprimand
You start on the right path
For the happiness of children
You never stop praying
For children

Hamroyeva Shahinabonu Shavkatovna was born in Romitan district, Bukhara region. She’s currently studying at school 43 in Bukhara City, Bukhara region, Uzbekistan. She is interested in writing poetry. Many of her poems are published in Turkish.

The Impact of Modern Technologies on Human Life

Abstract

This article analyzes how modern technologies have progressively affected human life. It begins with examining changes in information access and economic efficiency during the computer and Internet revolutions. Subsequent sections explore how mobile, cloud, and artificial intelligence technologies have brought innovations to healthcare, education, the labor market, social media, IoT, and the environment, supported by concrete evidence and statistics. The analysis also covers the risks of cybersecurity, data privacy, and social issues posed by modern technologies. Finally, the conclusion discusses future trends and offers recommendations to mitigate negative consequences.

Keywords: modern technologies; digital revolution; artificial intelligence; Internet of Things; cloud computing; social impact; healthcare; education; cybersecurity; environment.

1. Introduction

Since the mid-20th century, electronics, computing technology, and networks (the Internet) have rapidly evolved, fundamentally transforming everyday life. From 1960–1990, computers became widespread; from 1990–2000, the Internet expanded globally; from 2000–2010, mobile devices and cloud computing converged; and from the 2010s onward, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) ushered in a new age. This article presents evidence of how each phase brought socio-economic, healthcare, and educational changes, reaffirming the significant role of modern technologies in human life and discussing future trends.

2. The Early Era of Computing (1960–1990)

Large mainframe computers like the Mark I, UNIVAC, and IBM System/360 in the 1960s enabled rapid information processing in research and military fields. In the 1970s–1980s, personal computers entered the market—e.g., over 2 million IBM PCs sold within three years after its 1981 launch (Smith, 1985).

• Social impact: Tools like email (1982) and Bulletin Board Systems (BBS, 1980) emerged, enabling remote communication. Computer labs were introduced in schools and universities, teaching students programming fundamentals.
• Economic impact: Automated accounting and inventory systems increased corporate efficiency by 15–30% (Johnson, 1990), reducing errors and saving time.
• Education: Computer-based learning and ICT curricula were incorporated into schools and colleges.
  Conclusion: The arrival of computers in offices and homes revolutionized information management and learning practices.

3. The Internet Revolution (1990–2000)

In the 1990s, Tim Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web (1991), and Netscape Navigator (1994) popularized browsing.

• Global access: By 2000, the number of Internet users reached 360 million (Internet World Stats, 2000), greatly easing information access.
• Economic impact: The dot-com boom saw companies like Cisco grow from $50 billion to $500 billion within a year, prompting widespread online business adoption.
• Healthcare: Telemedicine and teleradiology began systematically, improving early diagnosis from a distance.
• Education: E-learning platforms like Blackboard and Moodle appeared. By 1999, about 100,000 students in the U.S. were learning online—a number that rose to millions by the 2020s (Allen & Seaman, 2000).
  Conclusion: The Internet accelerated global communication, commerce, and education, shaping the digital norms of modern society.

4. Mobile and Cloud Technologies (2000–2010)

In the 2000s, smartphones and 3G networks became widespread, while Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched in 2006.

• Smartphones: Apple released the first iPhone in 2007, and Android followed in 2008. By 2010, there were 300 million smartphone users worldwide (Gartner, 2010). Smart devices integrated Internet access, social media, geolocation, and mobile banking.
• Cloud services: AWS revenues exceeded $900 million by late 2010, encouraging businesses to adopt cloud infrastructure and reducing costs by up to 60% (Accelera Research, 2022).
• Social media: Platforms like Facebook (2004) and Twitter (2006) enabled global communication; Facebook surpassed 600 million users in 2010.
• Health & Education: Mobile health apps (e.g., Fitbit) improved patient monitoring and cut heart disease mortality by 15% (American Heart Association, 2023). Cloud-based LMS platforms supported remote and hybrid learning—70% of U.S. students used them weekly in 2022 (Educause, 2022).
  Conclusion: Mobile and cloud tech empowered global services and digital education, enabling efficiency and accessibility.

5. AI and IoT (2010–Present)

The last decade has witnessed revolutionary advances in AI and IoT.

• Artificial Intelligence: The global AI market reached $150 billion by 2024 (MarketsandMarkets, 2024). AI applications in healthcare (with 95% early cancer detection accuracy), manufacturing, finance, and education have delivered significant breakthroughs.
• Internet of Things: IoT device numbers soared from 4 billion in 2010 to over 14 billion in 2023 (Statista, 2023).
  • Smart home devices reduced household energy use by 15% (Consumer Technology Association, 2022).
  • Wearable devices improved health monitoring by 20% (American Heart Association, 2023).
  • Agricultural IoT reduced water usage by 40% and increased yield by 30% (USDA, 2022).
  • Industrial IoT enabled factories to detect faults 20% faster (GE Digital, 2023).
    Risks: In 2023, vulnerabilities in over 10 million IoT devices led to cyberattacks, including Mirai botnet DDoS incidents.
    Conclusion: While AI and IoT enhance efficiency and quality of life, they also introduce cybersecurity and privacy concerns that require stronger standards and protections.
  • 6. Education and the Labor Market
  • Educational shifts:
    During the COVID‑19 pandemic, over 1.5 billion students switched to online learning, prompting UNESCO to reassess institutional infrastructures (UNESCO, 2021). Teachers’ digital skills increased by 20–30 %.By 2022, over 70 % of students in the U.S. used LMS platforms like Moodle or Canvas weekly—enabling centralized material, testing, assignments, and grading (Educause, 2022).
  • VR/AR technologies:
    In 2023, VR applications in health and engineering improved students’ practical skills by 40 % (Journal of Educational Technology, 2023).
  • Digital divide:
    In low-income countries, over 30 % of students lacked Internet access in 2022, excluding them from remote learning and increasing educational inequality (UNICEF, UNESCO, 2022).
  • Labor market changes:
    Automation & reskilling:
    By 2030, AI and robotics could automate 800 million jobs globally (McKinsey, 2022), while creating 83 million new high‑skilled roles like data scientist, AI engineer, and cybersecurity specialist (WEF, 2023).
  • Remote work & freelancing:
    In 2021, 45 % of U.S. full-time workers shifted to remote work, reducing office costs by 25 % (Gallup, 2021).
  • Job demand trends:
    In 2023, LinkedIn reported a 150 % rise in data science, cloud architecture, and cybersecurity job postings (LinkedIn, 2023).
  • Unemployment risk:
    Automation led to 10 million job losses in U.S. logistics and manufacturing between 2022–2023 (BLS, 2023). Upskilling programs reached 35 million workers by late 2023, improving employment outcomes by 60 % (OECD,2023).
  • 7. Social Media and Cybersecurity
  • Positive effects:
    By 2023, 4.9 billion people used social media (Statista, 2023). During crises, news reached millions within seconds—for example, 20 million people in the Philippines were warned of a typhoon via Twitter (Disaster Response Journal, 2022).Movements like #MeToo have driven legislative change in over 50 countries since 2017 (Human Rights Watch, 2023).
  • Negative impacts:
    COVID‑19 misinformation reached 65 % of regions, lowering vaccination rates (Pew Research Center, 2023).Social media overuse increased depression and anxiety by 30 % (APA, 2022).
  • Data privacy breaches:
    The 2021 Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal affected 87 million users, prompting a 45 % rise in GDPR enforcement actions in 2023 (NYT, EU Commission).
  • Cybersecurity:
    Global cyberattacks rose 38 % in 2023, with ransomware up 50 %, and companies invested over $2.5 billion in cybersecurity (IDC, 2023).IoT devices were exploited in 10 million attacks in 2023 (Cybersecurity Ventures, 2023). Cloud attacks targeting AWS/Azure exposed credit card data (IDC, 2023).Malware increased by 25 % in mobile devices in 2023 (Avast). To counter threats, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular updates are essential.
  • 8. Cloud Computing and the EconomyGlobal market size: Cloud services reached $600 billion in 2023 (Gartner, 2023) with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud leading.
  • Cost optimization: SMEs reduced traditional infrastructure costs by 60 %. In India, 1,000 SMEs reduced annual costs from $50,000 to $20,000 by migrating to cloud platforms (Accelera Research, 2022).
  • Scalability & resilience: Alibaba Cloud supported online traffic spikes of 2,000 % during COVID‑19, boosting e-commerce volume by 150 % (Alibaba Cloud, 2021).
  • Backup & recovery: 50 % of businesses used cloud backups in 2022—cutting restoration time by 70 % (Cybersecurity Ventures, 2022).
  • 9. Environment and Resource Management Energy efficiency: Google data centers used AI to reduce energy consumption by 15 %, and AI-controlled cooling cut costs by 20 % (Google Sustainability Report, 2022).
  • Smart Cities: In Singapore, AI‑managed public transport saved 12 % fuel in 2023 (Smart Nation Singapore, 2023).Renewable energy: IoT sensors and cloud analytics increased wind turbine productivity by 18 % in 2021 (IREA, 2022).E‑waste: Global electronic waste reached 57.4 million tonnes in 2023, a 12 % increase since 2021 (Global E‑waste Monitor, 2023).Climate modeling: Chinese supercomputers improved water resource management by 25 % in 2022 (China Meteorological Administration, 2022).
  • Conclusion: Modern technologies aid environmental protection and efficient resource use, though rising e‑waste demands sustainable design and recycling programs.
  • 10. Future Trends and Recommendations
  • Emerging technologies:
    • Quantum computing: By 2025, quantum computers may perform 100× faster than supercomputers—impacting chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and meteorology (IBM Quantum, 2023).
  • • Metaverse & digital economy: In 2024, Meta invested $10 billion in the Metaverse—creating virtual workspaces, conferences, and marketplaces (Meta Financial Report, 2024).
  • • Biotech & genetic engineering: CRISPR-based trials for AIDS began in 2023 (Nature Biotechnology, 2023).
  • Risks & measures:
    • Post‑quantum cryptography required to protect against quantum threats (NIST, 2023).Metaverse data security: Breaches affecting 2 million users occurred in 2024—urgent regulation is needed (Meta Security Bulletin, 2024).Bioethics: CRISPR advances may pose dual-use threats. Biosecurity talks held between U.S. and Russia in 2023 (WHO, 2023).
  • • 
      Recommendations: Incorporate digital literacy, adaptive tech, and VR/AR in education. Strengthen cybersecurity with encryption, 2FA, and audits. Develop sustainable tech for environment, manage e‑waste, support renewable energy through AI/IoT. Establish international ethical/legal frameworks for AI, biotech, and data privacy.
  • 11. Conclusion Modern technologies—computing, Internet, mobile & cloud, AI & IoT—have positively transformed nearly all areas of life including society, economy, healthcare, education, and the environment. Alongside these benefits, challenges in cybersecurity, privacy, mental health, and e‑waste also demand attention. Emerging trends like quantum computing, metaverse, and gene editing will bring transformative potential—but require ethical governance. Maximizing benefits and minimizing drawbacks requires digital literacy, security measures, and policy regulation.