By: Quentin Sledge
In light of our recent class discussions and even our recent online class experience I felt it only right to discuss societies rapid progression from face to face interactions and paper trails to virtual offices and cloud storage. As a part of a generation ruled by technology I have noticed an emerging trend. Technology, everything ranging from laptops to cellphones and iproducts has invaded every fathom of our everyday lives.
One reporter notes, “Technology has come a long way in its day. Once thought that the world would need only a hand full of computers has turned out to each family having a hand full of computers. From computers filling up a large sized room to computers that fit in the palm of your hand. Technology has become faster, smaller and ever more affordable through time. The introduction of the microprocessor had greatly contributed to the development of computers and technologies. As technology has developed throughout the years, it has greatly affected society and the way we live in many aspects from everyday activities, to work and school. Four aspects of life and society that have been greatly affected is communications and the way we communicate, business, school and the automotive industry.”
Take communication for instance. Years ago people would send letters and make phone calls through an operator who had to connect them to one of the few other land lines in the U.S. Then this moved to the early, cellphone and email systems of the 90’s and new millennium. Now there are a myriad of ways people can communicate, through advanced cellphone technology, videoconferencing, social media websites, instant messaging, and even through an upgraded version of the email system. To get a visual of just how far communication technology has come take a look at the evolution of the cell phone and social media below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErhX5Shg8c0 Social media
Now let’s look at technologies impact on business. As technology has evolved over the years most businesses and businesspeople realized that they no longer had to be confined to a physical location. Companies have moved online, some have even taken the office space into the cloud allowing their employees flexibility to work wherever they please. Other companies such as Amazon or Ebay completely started online and are run by individuals who may have never even met. Most companies have begun using videoconferencing, smartphones, and laptops as a part of their everyday operations; even parts of the stock market can found online with the introduction of NASDAQ. Below I have posted a panel discussion on the move to online businesses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfMe1Scitkk Video on companies moving online
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBki42Ol3PY Panel discussion
It is in school system that I can most clearly see technologies impact. As a student I am bombarded with a host of technological options to fulfill whatever desire I may have. Students take notes using laptops, or ipads and use their smart phones to take picture, send emails and even set up their class schedules. Professors assign online homework and tests and in some cases students can even take full classes online never having to come in direct contact with their professors or other classmates for that matter. Schools form a young age put a computer in the hands of children, giving them an early start on learning to use the technology they will be surrounded by as they get older. Class rooms have become more interactive to hold the students attention, using things like video chat, PowerPoint’s, interactive games, and cloud storage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzi2RIt8_nk Technology in the classroom
The automotive industry has also improved drastically because of technology. With the Model-T car and assembly line innovations of Henry Ford the evolution of the car was allowed to take off. Cars once only powered by small computers regulating radio, engine and light functions within the vehicle have been outdated by the master machines we operate today. Now some cars can park themselves, while others have means of contacting help in case of emergency. They come with GPS, and rearview cameras, thumb print recognition technology and push start engines. Cars have evolved drastically thanks to the many innovations in microchips and microprocessors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2VduViwvlw Evolution of Automotive industry
With all these innovations in technology invading our lives I, like many others, can only wonder where our advances will lead us in the future. Will we as humans eventually become obsolete? That is a reality I hope to never see come true.
Technology has come a long way. From now a handheld device i can research or find about anything at any given point and time.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny to see the drastic evolution of the cellphone. What was once a device used to text, call, and play snake has now become the personal assistant for the masses.
ReplyDeleteTechnology has changed so much over the years. I am glad that you mentioned how technology has evolved when it comes to cars. Back in the day, there used to be big bulky car phones but now we have On-Star and handsfree bluetooth options. You basically control your phone through the car. That is so neat to me. I can only imagine what new creations will come about in the next few years or so.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the video showcasing the evolution of cellular devices. Its interesting even though I never had any of those devices... then again..... who had a Nokia? Nevertheless, technology has advanced quite a bit!
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed the question you ended your blog post with. With the constant innovations and overall progression of technology, one can't help but to wonder when we will witness the beginning stages of an "I-Robot" like take over. I believe the one ace-in-the-hole that humans have other than the fact that most of these inventions are modeled after actual bodily functions and movements and as such could never be duplicated, is the off switch.
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis of how technology has infiltrated those four parts of our life. I think one could easily make the case that technology has infiltrated almost EVERY part of our lives, from the computer you're using to view this blog, down to the mountain man on a far off hill top chopping down a tree with a stainless steel ax manufactured in China. The likely hood that humans will become useless through the innovation of our own technology seems like a silly question considering that technology is only a means to an end. When you boil it all down, nothing technological based created and sustained itself. I think that until the invention of Artificial Intelligence, we are safe. Only when we are no longer behind the controller of the technology and the mind power of its innovation is when i would begin to start re-watching the Terminator and iRobot movies on how to survive a technological uprising.
ReplyDeleteYes, technology is has spread like a virus and has taken control of our lives. Everyone worldwide is practically connected somehow by some sort of technological device like, computers, phones, TV, travel, and even video games by playing online. Yes these things are here for entertainment and for connivence but when we as a human race start developing technology to do "more" like actually carrying out specific roles and duties as if it were human then we will most likely go extinct as a human race, or our life expectancy would be age 25 because we would be so fat and unhealthy from robots doing everything for us. but i doubt this will happen, and I doubt technology will get more innovative. technology has hit a plateau.
ReplyDeleteThese videos were helpful in showing how far we have come in society regarding technology. We have made so many advancements to our mobile devices, hardware, and software. Coming from push buttons to almost everything touch screen. In which, most of these advancements are made within a 10 year period. That is super fast...
ReplyDeleteIt is really amazing to see just how far technology has come. The fact that we are all somehow connected by some type of technological device. I am very interested in seeing how technology will be 10 years from now.
ReplyDeleteTechnology seems to have exponentially growth. In 1992 I doubt anyone thought that we would have touch screen technology and cars that ran on electricity. Im very interested on where we'll be technologically 10 years from now
ReplyDelete