If “green” was the most overused word of the 2010s, for the 2020s, surely it’s “smart.” Smartphones, smartwatches, smart homes, smart clothing, smart appliances, smart shampoo…. We made up that last one, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see it sometime. Collectively, they make up the Internet of Things (IoT) — devices connected via networks that aren’t just a browser or other apps.
We created these smart devices because they make life easier. We can sit on the couch and dim the lights with our phone to start a movie, of course, but we can also make sure our doors are still locked when we’re away. These "things" have become essential to our lives, and when they aren’t working, it’s inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst.