This week, we looked deeper into the impacts of various technologies, and how they might be benefiting or harming us in the future.
Various frameworks were also introduced and discussed which could be implemented for forecasting the future, as well as assessing our current state of technology.
Brief Overview of Week 11 class
Siemens: Mastering the megatrends
The class was first introduced to the topic through the case of Siemens mastering the megatrends in urbanisation, healthcare as well as energy. It was interesting how Siemens was able to juggle the balance between innovation and its commitment to green technology.
Vision of the Future (parody)
This video was eye-opening yet witty at the same time, talking about how technology can be so awesome in the future, but yet there is no point anticipating it as we are so far away from it (498 years!). How true is it? Only time will tell.
Top 3 Inventions for the future
Another video that highlighted the possibilities of the futures, naming the Nokia Morph, Google Maps 2020, and salt water fuel. I found the salt water fuel particularly interesting, as it could be a viable solution to our finite resources. The only concern would be the possible after effects of overexposure to radiation which stimulates burning of the salt water.
Future, Technology & the next 50 years Megatrends
This video gives a quick overview of all the future realistic technologies that are coming into our lives very very soon. Things such as biometric scanners, v-commerce, augmented reality, laptops being obsolete, etc.
We then discussed about some drivers that caused the emergence of technology assessment and forecasting. Most of it was focused on how technology is evolving so rapidly, so much that we need to think on a higher level to look into the changes it may bring into various factors like economic, social, environmental etc.
Tracking the Future – Global Trends
This video further illustrated how our future might be: Fast, Urban, Tribal, Universal, Radical, Ethical. These are the key trends to take note of, and we should take notice and tackle them before it’s too late.
The first presentation of the day introduced the first framework, which is technology assessment in a social context. This examines the social impacts and changes of a given technology. We then discussed about certain measures to be implemented so as to give a more tangible result that will be derived from this framework.
The second presentation talked about shaping the future, and highlighted the difference between predicting it, and shaping it. The key point was to move away from predictions on our outcomes and instead understand our current problems and act upon it.
The third presentation talked about assessing the nutritional value in African Villages, which introduced us to the concept of Think Tanks. It was interesting how grouping like-minded people together can come out with impactful solutions to solve many problems that the world is facing in different aspects.
The last presentation offered another perspective on how people view the future, mainly extrapolators, pattern analysts, goal analysts, counter punchers, and intuitors. It was interesting how many of the viewpoints of these 5 could be easily mapped to each and every one of us, and generated a healthy discussion on which views are better to create a better future.
Interesting Observations
It was interesting how in one class, we’re already introduced to 5 different types of frameworks/viewpoints on how we should look at our future.
Different researches for different type of technological advancement requires different funding, and garners support from different sectors of people. There are bound to be people who would object to such advancements, probably due to a different framework belief.
To me, the varying frameworks, despite its objective to properly assess technological impacts, may ironically dilute our efforts to assess such technology instead. Which one do we follow? Who decides which framework is the most suitable to assess a particular technology breakthrough?
Further Discussion
Following the dilemma of differing frameworks, perhaps what could be discussed is the possibility of a holistic framework that considers all aspects of society and the world.
Would a unified framework be more effective? Would there ever be a time where the world would be united to strive towards the same goals that will be placed within the framework? It might sound a little idealistic, but I think such a framework would help improve society on a global basis.
Key Takeaways
Technology is indeed important to make our lives more comfortable. However, I think our society has grown to a point where we understand the dire consequences if we keep progressing like the way we do. As habitants of Mother Earth, we have to evaluate if a current technology is only created for the sake of convenience in our lives, or whether it will have other positive impacts in other areas.
The scarce resources that we now have makes this evaluation all the more important, to ensure that we’re doing the right technology for the benefit for all, and not for an easier life and corporate gains.
Rating: 7/10
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