Trends in Technology to Consider

One of my interests in the philosophy of technology, which is part of a larger discipline called media ecology, initiated by Neil Postman. I offer the following to get you thinking about the effect of technology on culture and your body and soul.

Features of technology to ponder:

1. There is a trend toward miniaturization.Think of old radios and TV sets and computers. Think of mini-computers everywhere–and robots.

2. There is a trend toward mobility. Think of stationary TVs, telephones, and computers. Then consider video on smart phones, computers on smart phones, telephones on smart phones!

3. There is a trend toward unification and system. Clocks used to be stand-alone objects. The same goes for computers. But now some clocks are part of a satellite system. You do not have direct control because “they” have remote control.

4. There is a trend toward surveillance, which is closely related to point (3). You may get a traffic ticket issued on the basis of a monitor, not a human. They give you a photo of yourself while breaking the law. Parking lots are camera rich as well. Remember, Jeremy Bentham’s panopticon.

5. There is a trend toward the cyborg. People are wearing cell phones and access to the Internet. Some have monitors that record bodily functions that are relayed to external parties (computers, I mean) that give advice on how to be healthier. Now combine this trend toward cyborgization with (3) and (4) with the addition of ObamaCare. When the state controls medical means (which is the ultimate goal), then it will want accurate information on how the subjects (ah, I mean citizens) are managing their bodies. Think of 1984, except worse, because the power of surveillance is far beyond what Orwell imagined.

This is only a start. Now, Have a nice day. Can you add more trends? Please be serious.