Where do you believe computers and technology are taking us?

Question

We are in the beginning of a new era, we have only recently started communicating globally and using technology in ways we have never imagined.

How do you think this will shape our world and our society?

Answer 1

Postmodernism.  We are losing our ability to communicate one on one.  People like the tech filter.

Answer 2

As with any drastic change there will be positive and negative consequences. I haven't really given much thought to the negative effects, but I think one of the positive effects will be the lessening of racism. People will become more and more open minded to cultures that differ from them.

I guess one draw back would be that as cultural diffusion (the blending of cultures per say) really sets in, as other cultures begin to adopt some ways of other cultures, their original culture will be lessened. Hope that made sense, that's the bet I could word it. Anyway, I feel that this would be a bad thing. I have great respect and interest in other cultures  and I really don't want to see them changed.

Answer 3

Changing our lifestyle where we don't get much exercise for one.

The publishing, entertainment and education industries are being turned on their heads by this technology with regards to ease of accessibility world wide at comparatively little or no cost as opposed to cumbersome for free low tech searches through volumes of books at the public library.

MIT offers free access to recordings of classes conducted by their professors on a wide range of subjects and majors. You just don't get credit or a degree from sitting in but the knowledge gained I'ld imagine would be priceless.

Newspapers are laying off many people because of the internet and some are closing their doors or posting their publications only online. This might affect ink and paper companies and delivery vendors. But then it also will reduce what goes into our landfills. Imagine no five inch thick Sunday newspapers with all that junk mail and coupon flyers stuffed in between landing at your door.

I think commuting will be reduced eventually when companies and bosses realize that their 60 mile or so round trip commuter employees can do the same job and save expensive fuel costs by working at home with video conferencing utilized for keeping tabs on their progress. This isn't happening as much as it should but with gas at $4 a gallon I think companies will soon see the advantage and necessity.

I can only imagine the domino effect to other aspects of the socioeconomic landscape just from what little I've indicated. I'm sure I've only scratched the surface on this subject.

Answer 4

Well one real danger of global communications and interconnections is a severe loss of privacy, cutting down on individual rights.