Human beings are constantly evolving, and with technology becoming such an important part of our environment, it has become very interesting to consider what humans could look like in the year 3000 due to the physical impact of technology. 

Here are some ways the human body will potentially be effected by technology. 

Hands

One of the most obvious physical effects technology has on us already is the way we use, or don't use, our hands. As we become more reliant on devices such as smartphones and tablets, with all of them growing in size as the years go on, it is possible that our hands may evolve to accommodate these tools, specifically our thumbs, which may increase in length to accommodate our constant scrolling. Our wrists and fingers are also being utilised in ways they never have been up until now, and scientific date suggests that the soft and hard tissue on our hands will change as well. One thing that comes to mind is the evolution of gaming controllers, especially the X-Box, and how the control is constantly trying to best fit the shape of our hands, whereas PlayStation appears to have figured it out from the very start.

Posture

This is one you've probably already heard about, nonetheless thought of, before. Whether walking down the street, sitting on the tube, or literally just being anywhere at any given time, people are bent at an angle to look at their screens, and this will presumably have a big, evolutionary effect on our posture, as reports of back and neck pain are being reported already across the globe. A five year study study in the journal Applied Ergonomics reported a direct correlation between texting on a mobile phone and neck and upper back pain in young adults. As the theory goes, this may indicate that in thousands of years we may be permanently bent at an angle. Yikes!

Eyesight

The days of your parents reciting the cautionary tale that if you watch TV too much your eyes will turn into squares may not be a fable in the future, but rather a prediction. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get the point. As we continue to gaze into a brightly lit screen at all hours of the day, it's possible our eyes might eventually adapt to this kind of visual stimulation. Over time, this could mean that human eyes may drastically grow in size, which will be more suited to process digital information. However, according to this research, this evolutionary process would take much longer than just 1,000 years.

The Brain

One worry is that as we get increasingly reliant on technology to perform simple tasks, we may thereby become less skilled at performing such tasks ourselves. Another aspect is that pings, vibrations, ring signals, etc, will amplify attention deficit disorder like tendencies, and impair our social and emotional intelligence. However, certain video games and other technological tools can be used to greatly benefit areas that are lacking in cognitive function, such as memory, multitasking, and other fluid intelligence.

Overall Health

With the rise of wearable technology, people are becoming more aware of their overall than ever before - this is a good thing! Fitness trackers, heart monitors, blood-oxygen meters and breathalysers have all introduced a new way of keeping track of your own wellbeing. Something that comes to mind is Thymia, a type of video game that analyses speech patterns, facial expressions and behaviour to objectively measure mental health symptoms, starting with depression. It still blows my mind that this is possible. Considering all these technological advancements, it could lead to a bigger focus on preventative medicine, allowing humans to potentially live much healthier and longer lives as a result.

What to do for now?

As there are still many people alive right now who remember the days long before mobile phones, we are still getting used to these technologies, and learning about their effects as we go. But in the meantime, if you've been sitting at a desk for several hours with your shoulders curved forward, remember to stand up and do some stretching - your body will thank you!