Week 5

Brief Overview/Summary

The lesson is about different information and communications technology, how the different technology affects and would revolutionize our lives.
Interesting Observations and Ideas

• What it means to be human now- what we do, what we have, what we use or is it based on the collective social consciousness that we should have, or be able to do- a need to be integrated into social media, or different technologies or just get left behind.
• Cloud computing- At the moment limited to mainly data sharing and storage purposes, whereas cloud processing, which people can offload their computer processes such as calculations, data processing, this could possibly increase the pace of research and result in faster development by making them more cost efficient.
• The inter connectivity of our current society, makes us highly dependent on technology, such that it would probably be unlivable for most people. It is also the bane of our current society, as we depend on the internet for information. However, if the information we get is incorrect or meant to mislead people by malicious means. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2265506/chinese-hackers-hijack-us-government-website-to-spread-malware As you can see, even governments are still susceptible to hacking, makes us wonder what can we trust on the the internet.
• The view on augmented reality in retail is actually being used in many games, such as games which are catered for children, they are able to try on different outfits in games, such as the new generation consoles, which have recognition functions, to make control easy.

Key Take Away Points

• Adopting a technology does not mean just having the machinery, it means making full use and be able to use it efficiently to pass information in a more interactive way. Not having the skills or creativity to use it would just mean more junk to be discarded when there is a newer product available
• Many technologies are already available, they are just not used due to high costs, impractical applications or just the lack of public's knowledge to push for the adoption of the technology.

Issues for Further Discussion

• In the first reading, there is an issue on how ICT has leveled the playing field for businesses in developing nations. Though has it really leveled, by ICTs it has provided many avenues in which these business could just set up a web page for advertising cheaply. However, do big businesses not have any advantage, as now these big companies are still  able to do a very comprehensive advertising strategies which goes through every facet of our lives, such as the constant bombardment of web adverts in this digital age, as compared to smaller businesses starting in developing countries.
• The want and the desire for freedom in the modern age, as compared to the uptake of modern technology which usually forces us to give up on our privacy, it is a paradoxical relationship which we are trapped in. How should we progress forward, or is the want for freedom characterized by the loss or privacy?

Personal Ratings for Session

8/10. The lesson was comprehensive, which covered all facets of the ICTs in the industry, it also brings up the point that, we are a society which thrives on ICT as a driver for world change, yet we are seamlessly being attracted, and addicted to it.