The Reaching Beyond series was written partly for fun, but also because I wanted to portray a version of the future and the possibilities that lie ahead for humankind. We are already fairly dependent on modern technology in many developed countries and this is spreading to emerging economies. The lure is seductive, but the reality is that whilst it is a convenience to use technology, it is also a trade off. The essentials of living with each other and many skills we once possessed are being sacrificed due to the desire for an easier life.