Today, especially as teens in the U.S., we are so immersed in new technological advances that many go by unnoticed or ignored. Every so often though, there are those that really strike me as amazing; the ChaCha being on of them. Computer-automated text message answer services like Google SMS have been around for some time. However, unlike these computer generated answers, ChaCha texts answers searched and selected, directly by real people. From questions like "Who is Odysseus's wife in Homer's
The Odyssey?" to ones like "When is Brad Pitt's birthday?", all questions can either be text messeged to "ChaCha" (242242) or phoned to 1.800.2ChaCha. The question is sent to a guide who searches ChaCha approved internet sources, and finds a reliable answer. In a text messege of 160 characters or less, the answer is sent back to the questionnare in a few moments, free of charge. Although it is a definite technological advancement, and a time saving service, I can't help but wonder if the popularity of ChaCha and resources of the same nature, ultimately reveal the laziness of the U.S. Internet equipped cell phone are becoming more and more common, like the iPhone. The only difference between using ChaCha and personally looking up the question is the step of filtering the may searches and finding the one, reliable source. True, ChaCha protrays the brilliancy of modern technology and it's focus on convenience for the millions of busy Americans. I guess it can be said, when ever, and where ever we are, America wants the answers now.
Imagine your Jewel grocery bag becoming your purse or backpack. It's a crazy idea, but fashion designers all across the world are taking it into their hands to make it a reality. As we all know, some more than others, we are quickly using up the earth's resources and man-caused environmental changes like global warming are starting to take their toll. Now, more than ever, we are advised where ever we go to, "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!" Eco-fashion labels like Ecoist and Timbuk2 are slowly emerging into the trendy fashion world, and presenting these ideas in a whole new twist; turning trash into fashion. Ecoist is saving some of the 4.6 billion tons of waste American companies are trashing each year. They 
are reusing misprinted and discontinued packaging as materials for handbags. These trendy handbags are being sold anywhere from $30 to $180. Other design labels like Timbuk2 have created a machine known as the Lamitron, that bonds plastic bags together to form a new fabric, still having embedded the design of the plastic bag. I think it reflects that, although it should be greater, there really is a concern for the earth today. And personally I believe that this is an ingenious innovation that combines the best of trendy fashion and a movement to save the planet that many consumers in America and throughout the world will embrace.
