Saturday, September 4, 2010

Technology’s Promise

This week, like previous weeks, I’ve been asked to analyze predictions of the future in technology. Specifically, I’m reading “Technology’s Promise”, by William E. Hala. I’ll start this post with a quote from his book that I love, “Anticipating the future is more fascinating that marveling at the past.” (Hala, pg 146)


The prediction I would like to evaluate is what Hala calls “Crisis of Maturity”. In this prediction he says that the world will soon mature to industrialization. Here he’s talking about the second and third world countries catching up to where the US and other world powers are now. This will most likely be a fragile time in the future of humanity. If every nation in the world has the technology to destroy it (weapons of mass destruction) and pollution ravaging the Earth’s environment, we may find ourselves at a quick demise. Hala predicts this might be where the world is in the year 2030. That’s a very horrifying thought.

However, if we can unite as one species, Hala predicts a Global Order will arise from the fall out. I'd like to know what the rest of the world thinks about these predictions. Comment here

Eye-tracking technology for the next generation of e-readers.

The next generation of e-readers will offer up next generation technology that will make the reader seem even more like a book. This technology utilizes eye tracking technology that tracks when you stop reading, move the tablet, and more. This technology promises to enhance the traditional e-book flat mat screens to ease the user’s eye strain while reading.
I predict that as this technology will one day take over the book market. I know many online universities have moved to e-books, but I predict that this may become the trend with traditional colleges soon as well.


Read more here:
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-03/26/eye-tracking-tablets-and-the-promise-of-text-20.aspx