Brief Overview/Summary:
This week we focus on
emerging and future technologies. It was quite a general and broad discussion
but the main crux of the discussion was how humankind create great innovations
and the implications of emerging technologies. We touched on the drivers for
the development of emerging and future technologies namely, market driven
R&D, technology driven R&D, creation of demand from supply, mass media
and advertising and the 4 “smarts”. Moreover, we talked about areas of emerging
technologies that hold great potential such as nanotechnology, robotics and
artificial intelligence systems.
Interesting Observation and Ideas:
Mass media and
advertising, why is it a driver of emerging and future technologies? Well for
one thing, mass media and advertising greatly impacts ones perception of
everything around us, and the best (or most vulnerable) part is that we can be
influenced unknowingly. In one way or another the mass media instills in us
perspectives of the future, it is a medium through which our wants and desires
are formed and our needs are shaped. In actual fact, mass media and advertising
is not only a driver for emerging and future technologies, it can drive almost
any kind of technology and shape how the world changes. For example, it could
promote the use of solar panels in television programs where the use of solar
panels is a norm. Lifestyles and cultures could be enhanced through this medium
to develop a sustainable environment. The mass media and advertising is not
just a platform for product showcase, it is a platform for technology and world
change.
Prof opened the class
today with a couple of videos. One of them was based on the use of plastic in
the world. What I found most interesting about this particular video was not
about what convenience the plastic has and could bring to us, but how human
beings have transformed plastic from a material that was once frowned upon into
one that could change the status quo. Humans have the ability to make the
impossible possible with the help of free minds. Plastic was once a material
that was not recommended due to its non-renewable aspect which contributes to various
world problems. Now, plastic is made from renewable resources and it itself is
easily recyclable. This development in plastic has uncovered many possibilities
that could change the world. Devices could be made up of plastic, making it
flexible and light. Plastic sensors in clothes could be developed to monitor
health. The use of plastic could replace the use of silicon and other materials
in so many aspects. With further R&D, the development of plastic will
change the world.
One of the emerging
technologies I found amusing was nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the
manipulation of matters usually smaller than 1000nanometers in length. Can you
imagine what the manipulation of something that small can do? Nanotechnology
has the capability to manipulate molecules of a material and change the outlook
of the product. Imagine having the ability to change pencil leads into diamonds
(both made from carbons). With nanotechnology, it can be possible. In the
future, nanotechnology could become sophisticated enough that products could be
changed from one product to another. If this happens, products would be largely
recycled to attain a more desirable product, lesser waste would be produced and
use of resources would decrease. This is just one of the many implications the
development of nanotechnology could bring about.
Presently, there are
so many technologies advancing and a number possessing great potential. With
that said I feel that the main question now is how we can merge these
technologies together to further maximize its potential and usefulness to
society. However, with greater potential comes greater possibilities which means
that the threats from these technologies are greater as well.
Key Takeaway Points:
Implications of the
technologies are of greater importance than the technology itself. How it
impacts societies, culture and the economy. (A point which has been stressed on
since the start of the course)
Man’s commitment is
key in transforming his imagination into reality. Anything that we can imagine
can come true, all it takes is commitment to our cause. Dreaming is an art that is lost in many, for
some it may not seem like much but for others it is this which distincts them
from the rest. Having the ability to dream is priceless. – Shien Tah
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” ―
Issue for further discussion:
More implications of
the emerging technologies could be discussed. In today’s session we did name
many emerging technologies but we did not manage to discuss their implications in
depth.
Personal Rating:
8/9.
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