Not Feeling So Well?

In chapter one of Smart Mobs there is a short blurb about the possibility that in the near future we will begin to see repetitive injuries occurring in young adults. The more we rely on technology involving looking at screens, typing, or sitting for long periods of time, there more noticeable RSI (repetitive strain injury) trends will be. It seems that people who take up careers working with computers (and the like) will be forced to retire at younger ages because their bodies can no longer handle the pain they suffer from. In the near future will there will be a need for new technology that relieves typing strain?
I've always been curious about computer programs that type as you speak into a microphone. Of course, these programs are not suitable for some workplaces that are intended to be quiet. I've also heard that you need to speak v-e-r-y c-l-e-a-r-l-y which can take more time than it's worth. We need to come up with alternative ways to get our thoughts onto the computer. Maybe in the future implanted microchips will somehow read our thoughts and transmit them onto a screen. Scary, but cool.
Besides RSI there are a few other injuries associated with frequent computer users including: back problems, neck pain, and eye strain and discomfort. I'm sure all users have felt these symptoms from time to time and they are usually a sign that you need a short break. Whenever I visit my eye doctor I mention that my eyes are always very dry and when I wear my contacts I become fatigued. The first question the doctor asks is if I use the computer frequently. "Of course" I tell him. The doctor's response is,"Well your eyes are probably dry because when you use the computer you blink ?% less than you do normally. You should try to be conscious of how much you are blinking, and try taking frequent breaks. " I've also suffered from some of the other ailments such as back, neck, and wrist pain, depending on how long I've been typing for; over time these pains can become chronic.
As a society we should be conscious of the physical impact that computing can have on our bodies. The technological world is constantly changing and adapting; soon we will need to react to the increase of computer related chronic injuries. Whether this means eliminating the key board all together, or changing the design of computers, one thing is uncertain; the need for new innovation is here and we should be ready to embrace it.