“You see things; and you say, Why? But I dream things that
never were; and I say “Why not?” –George Bernard Shaw
Brief Overview of the class:
We were shown plenty of wonderful videos during class today.
Among them was claytronics and plastic electronics. Thinking back to the quotes
that were shared in class, when presented with these technologies we should ask
‘Why not?’ Claytronics stand to make product presentations completely
different. People would be able to shape the product, hold it and even edit on
the spot! This form of interaction would have great implications especially in
education. Plastic electronics are a potentially disruptive technology that
would threaten to displace silicon technology. Flexible computers and cheaper
access to the internet would allow greater global connectivity. We could see
the global education and economic gaps potentially closed through this
technology.
The next thing we went through in class was the drivers of
emerging and future technology. The drivers of emerging and future technologies
are ones where we begin to see things differently. Is there another way to fix
people’s problems? Have new discoveries allowed us to see things in a new
light? Do people really know what they want – if not we can step in and help
them out. Changing needs through mass media and advertising? (we can help to
shape the need for better products through advertising. The smart 4 (people,
ideas, money along with alliances and partnerships) also come up with great ideas
although like most fantastic combinations, these are rare. From here we can see
that for new ideas to emerge, new perspectives and new insights are needed. New
knowledge brings about new understanding. Perhaps when we are able to identify
some of this would we be probably able to foresee future technologies?
Interesting Observation:
We’ve come to a point in time when innovation is less so
about new discoveries but more on the combinations and permutations of
technologies. Biotechnologies seek to fuse genetic modification with other
technologies such as medicine, energy and even construction. Nanotechnologies
seek to create little robots and combinations of atoms for construction
purposes as well as for surveillance. GRID computing (Cloud computing), computer-based
simulation technologies and knowledge management technologies were the other
topics we covered. Sylvester brought up the combo of cloud computing, medicine
and computer gaming which allowed gamers to aid in HIV research giving us yet
another good example of converging technology.
Key Takeaway Points:
Innovation distinguishes the leader from the follower –
Steve Jobs.
When we innovate, we will be able to see and do things
differently. Once we start doing things in greater and better ways would people
see the value in how we get things done. When this happens, the people would
begin following what we’re doing. The sad hero Nikola Tesla was a great
innovator but due to circumstances, the fruits of his works were not fully
realized. Which goes to show that some innovators do become leaders, but some
are more effective than others.
The way forward is through combinations of current
technologies. I won’t need to provide anymore examples as I have covered a
couple of them above. Just like good art is a combination of styles that work
to create something fantastic, great new technologies are the fruits of
combining and applying new insights gleaned from other fields of technology. We
have come to a point where our technological palettes can give rise to an almost
infinite number of new technological possibilities. Fascinating times are to
come.
Ratings for the Class:
Today’s class felt quite alive today and I gained quite a
number of new insights from this class. With that, I give this class a 9/10.
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