Tuesday, October 22, 2013

COMM 500 - Technology Takes Over


Assignment: After reviewing this week’s resources, create a blog entry titled “Technology Takes Over.” Share your thoughts regarding Joe Sabia’s unique use of technology to tell a story. Explore the use of advanced technology and its power to replace human activity, communication, and personal interaction. In your opinion, what drives society’s obsession with technology, and what impact will M2M have on the future of the American worker and the national economy?


After watching Joe Sabia’s storytelling technique, all I can say is “wow.” He was maneuvering his device so fast that it was almost distracting. However, it is definitely a unique way for him to get this point across and share the story of Lothar Meggendorfer via technology.
Why is our society is obsessed with technology? Reasons bound, but my guess would be that we are obsessed with technology for the sake of convenience. We are always looking for ways to make our lives easier hence the term, “work smarter, not harder.” We are also looking for ways to accomplish more with less. The best way for us to create ease in our day-to-day involves technology. Think about the days when we actually had to write a letter, address the envelope, put a stamp on it, and place it in the mail…then wait for it to arrive at its destination! What a pain staking process!

With the increased use of technology in our society, it seems that we are facing less and less face-to-face interaction with people. We use e-mails, instant messaging, text messaging, etc and are relying less and less on communicating in person – over the phone or face-to-face. This is what I thought of when I read the article about the refrigerator being able to order more milk. In the future, will we ever go to the store? Or will there simply be individuals (or machines!) filling grocery orders and shipping them to various households, which will completely negate the need for the grocery store! Therefore, grocery stores will become obsolete including cashiers, stockers, etc. What will happen to my local grocer, Publix, whose tag line is "Where shopping is a pleasure!" 

Then there is the question of how companies will get new products out there. I know my grandmother loves to go up and down every aisle of the grocery store in order to see what new products are on the market. Will companies include a “new products flyer” in your order? Free samples? Perhaps there will be a screen on the refrigerator that advertises new products and you can select to order them.

One final thought: A co-worker of mine utilizes the technology of Nest, “the smart thermostat that learns what temperatures you like, turns itself down when you're gone, and is remotely controllable through Wi-Fi,” and wonders when this technology will be coming to cars (Dickey, 2013). For example, your car will automatically know the route you take to work and thus drive itself there. Yep, I believe that day is coming in our technological world.

Dickey, M. (2013). The Internet of Things is Finally Here and Soon Your Fridge Will Buy
Milk For You.  Business Insider.
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