 | How Technology Will Affect Our Lives in Twenty Years |
The defining characteristic of majority in the world in the twenty-first century through 2015 and beyond is the rapid pace in which technology is evolving and integrating itself in our everyday lives. Technological innovation is almost a day to day occurrence, causing a change in how we live our day to day lives, preaching its ability to make our lives easier.
In just a few decades, the technological revolution can be seen. We have gone from using large, bulky, seemingly indestructible cellular devices that can only place phone calls to sleek and slim smartphones such as iPhones that offer all of the world's information at our fingertips. Cameras have gone almost completely digital, eliminating an entire facet of the previous photography industry, film. We no longer have to go out to a store to purchase a CD to listen to our favorite artist, instead we can log into our laptops and into the iTunes Store, which gives access to all of the world's music in a matter of a few clicks. The world is changing rapidly, and if anything, technology is evolving at an even greater rate than before.
In just a few decades, the technological revolution can be seen. We have gone from using large, bulky, seemingly indestructible cellular devices that can only place phone calls to sleek and slim smartphones such as iPhones that offer all of the world's information at our fingertips. Cameras have gone almost completely digital, eliminating an entire facet of the previous photography industry, film. We no longer have to go out to a store to purchase a CD to listen to our favorite artist, instead we can log into our laptops and into the iTunes Store, which gives access to all of the world's music in a matter of a few clicks. The world is changing rapidly, and if anything, technology is evolving at an even greater rate than before.
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In the foreseeable future, it is anticipated that we are on track for an even greater technology reliant society. Cars, which already have the capabilities of parking themselves with the press of a button, will soon become available so that they can drive themselves. The prefix "smart" will make its way from the phone and watch industry to wearable items, such as glasses and contact lenses, and as cognitive science continues to grow, who knows what else? Robots and computers already pose an efficient means of production, but with the development of 3D printing, in a few years, we may not need to buy anything at all. We can simply print it at home.
The efficiency that technology allows will continually make the business world more and more competitive, since efficiency is a prized component of any successful corporation. Robots and machines may very well replace human labor resulting in an a greater long term investment for companies, which has its benefits and serious social repercussions. But on top of that, companies will be able to cater to the individual consumer as data analytics progress rather than generalizing to the region or group. Additionally, data analytics will drastically change the scope and landscape of decision making. More people will be making business decisions based on the information provided by the computer in front of them rather than their gut feelings and instincts, a driving distinction of previous entrepreneurs.
So as much as technology has the potential to change the landscape of business, what does it mean for our everyday personal lives? Health technologies will become readily available and our digital footprint will slowly develop into a more and more complete image of ourselves. This ranges from our heartbeats to sleeping patterns and as a result health will be more and more manageable. Additionally, security will vastly change. Apple has already introduced fingerprint password technology and more and more personalized forms of security will begin to appear. But even more notably, technology will become to be prevalent in making our everyday monotonous tasks, things that we will never have to do again. Driving a car, doing dishes, cleaning -- it'll all be done by a computer.
In twenty years, the potential scope of technology is infinite. The very technology we dreamed of being real when we watched Star Trek with wide eyes is becoming very much a reality. The landscape of our entire world will be changed. Imagine droids like Data roaming the streets with us, doing jobs we used to do. Every surface in our houses, businesses, and hospitals will be some sort of computer. We may even have energy weapons like the Star Trek's phaser gun. The convenience and power of technology is great. But as we progress as a human race and continually to rapidly progress, we must consider the great benefits next to the dire consequences that such innovation poses.
The efficiency that technology allows will continually make the business world more and more competitive, since efficiency is a prized component of any successful corporation. Robots and machines may very well replace human labor resulting in an a greater long term investment for companies, which has its benefits and serious social repercussions. But on top of that, companies will be able to cater to the individual consumer as data analytics progress rather than generalizing to the region or group. Additionally, data analytics will drastically change the scope and landscape of decision making. More people will be making business decisions based on the information provided by the computer in front of them rather than their gut feelings and instincts, a driving distinction of previous entrepreneurs.
So as much as technology has the potential to change the landscape of business, what does it mean for our everyday personal lives? Health technologies will become readily available and our digital footprint will slowly develop into a more and more complete image of ourselves. This ranges from our heartbeats to sleeping patterns and as a result health will be more and more manageable. Additionally, security will vastly change. Apple has already introduced fingerprint password technology and more and more personalized forms of security will begin to appear. But even more notably, technology will become to be prevalent in making our everyday monotonous tasks, things that we will never have to do again. Driving a car, doing dishes, cleaning -- it'll all be done by a computer.
In twenty years, the potential scope of technology is infinite. The very technology we dreamed of being real when we watched Star Trek with wide eyes is becoming very much a reality. The landscape of our entire world will be changed. Imagine droids like Data roaming the streets with us, doing jobs we used to do. Every surface in our houses, businesses, and hospitals will be some sort of computer. We may even have energy weapons like the Star Trek's phaser gun. The convenience and power of technology is great. But as we progress as a human race and continually to rapidly progress, we must consider the great benefits next to the dire consequences that such innovation poses.