Lesson 9: Emerging technology

Brief Overview

Today’s lesson was on emerging and future technologies, we discussed about the drivers for the development of such technologies. Several videos about interesting new technologies, like claytonics, plastic electronics and the perfect woman were shown.

All of these may seem like science fiction when you look at it. However, as George Bernard Shaw mentioned, we must open ourselves to a range of possibilities. This is a mindset of a rising star. For instance, we could potentially see a whole new industrial age switching from silicon to plastic when it comes to electronics. Indeed, imagination is more important than knowledge.

Interesting Observations

We watched a video about 2 researchers in Japan who developed a robot in the form of a woman (She looked kind of creepy). Keeping in mind that there will be millions of lonely guys around the world, this invention could turn out to be a masterpiece. The female robots can keep all the ticko ah pehs entertained. With so many lonely and horny old men out there, I guess there will definitely be a demand for it.

The idea of a robot being a life partner is revolting. I mean it doesn’t have a soul and the thought of it being made of plastic and electronics is such a turn off. Who knows, this might end up being embraced by the next generation. Stranger things have happened.

Not surprisingly, there are a minority who support such an idea, arguing that it is similar to the idea of homosexuality. There is even a name coined for this, technosexual.

Augmented reality is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input. (Quoted from wiki) This technology is already being used in our smart phones, where we can use our phones to identify places of interest by simply taking a picture of it. Another interesting example on how it could be used is virtual fitting rooms. Blogshops could utilize this technology and provide a more complete shopping experience for customers. This could change the shopping landscape or could mean the end of an era for traditional shopping.

Issues for discussion 

To make changes, we must innovate. But to what extent will humans be satisfied with what they want? We might subconsciously change what we perceive to be human. ( the example of the female robot) Will our innovations come back to haunt us?

Personal Ratings

I personally loved this lesson. Many emerging technologies were an eye opener, for once, I wonder what life is going to be like in the next few years. Maybe marrying robots would be a social norm when I graduate! 9/10!!!!