29/04/2014
What the future beholds...
What’s in store for us in the near future? Will the new technology really make our lives better? Such questions are common, especially in a time big-guns like Google and Amazon are pushing towards a world, less-manned in every aspect.While several tech giants believe that wearable technology is the next big thing to hit the mainstream, there is much speculation on the real usability of technological advancements like “Google glass”. Indeed the need for devices like the glass has not been well enunciated, as much as the launch has been hyped. Maybe the public isn’t ready for technology that is way ahead of its time and perceive a future which is much more practical, rather than all sci-fi.
A survey conducted recently reverberates the similar notion that people find technology more acceptable when it sounds more realistic. Concepts like tele-portation, space-colonization,and time-travel or weather control were much speculated by the respondents. The overall consent- They did not believe that such technology will break these grounds in the next 50 years. When asked what they thought to be more plausible, they pointed towards technology that is already being developed. For instance, they believed that lab-grown organ transplantation are more likely to surface within the next 50 years. The acceptance to such advancements were mutually agreed upon, which is a good sign for biotech companies who are presently working on regenerative medicine or anatomical parts.
The respondents also believe that artwork that are indistinguishable from man-made art could well be accepted, 3D-printing could well be the next big thing, which a good news for the machine-learners. While the concept of un-manned drones being used for delivery was suggested, they opposed to the concept,feeling it would be a change for the worse. The consensus may be a huge-blow to companies trying develop such technology and may find themselves facing resistance while trying to launch their multi-million dollar projects. Similar opposition to wearable technology was sensed as people didn’t like the idea of constantly being fed by information along with the concept of automated care like robots being developed to care for the elderly. The idea was broadly rejected as most disapproved automated care, as unacceptable for the future.
Technology that earned acceptance from some were the driver-less car technology that Google and Tesla are spearheading. People were willing to give these cars a shot along with some willing to give lab grown meat a try. These innovations may just might see light of the day, but that does not mean that other novel industries are totally doomed. 50 years back no one would have thought that a glass and metal device that get inside pockets could actually take pictures, pin-point your exact location on the planet, or hold several books and communicate with people at the same time. A lot remains yet to be seen or discovered, but the new generation aren't willing to put blind faith in every tech marvel. Innovation is a positive change that will only go down well with the public if it brings a progressive and optimistic change in our lives.
