Friday, October 11, 2019
Technology In Our World
Change is inevitable. Some realize
this change and they adopt to it, while others don’t quite catch on and are
left straggling behind.
In today’s world our societal
changes seem to go hand in hand with technological changes. Whether it be a
personal device, a new software or platform, technology seems to be integrated into
our everyday lives and has become a key contribution in our culture. A culture
that seems to have a severe case of technophilia, has become inseparable
from technology and have combined the two to create a technoculture. Through
this convergence both culture and technology have become oxygen for the others
fire and are a key role to the others growth and prosperity.
"The more we communicate, the more we have the chance to innovate"
- Jeffery Brand
Over the past few decades innovations have
allowed our personal communities to evolve into one large global society. Advances in technology are transforming just
about every part of our lives, from the way we work, to the way we communicate
and access services (Australian Govt. 2015). The world is more connected to
each other than ever before, our lives are becoming easier and easier and the capabilities
of these technologies seems to be practically limitless. Technology sounds awesome
right? Indeed, much good has come from these technologies, however it has not
been without harm.
See every industry has been and continues
to be affected by technology in one way or another, it helps provide a higher quality
of work and a larger range of possibilities but in doing so it also impacts the
lively hoods of some traditional work. It’s because of this that many suffer
from technophobia and wonder
“whether the digital revolution will bring mass job creation to make up for its
mass job destruction” (The Economist, 2014). It’s because of this that people
see “the machines” as being a threat or endangerment to them. They see technology
as the causal agent that is affecting society and causing harmful changes. But is
it really?
While yes, many labor jobs have
been made obsolete due to advances in machinery, but this has given birth to a
new realm of work. An increase in knowledge workers and the need for them has
been flooding into societies right alongside all the innovations (Holthouse,
2009). You see this is because now more individuals are needed to help monetize
and improve these forms of technology. The future of the workforce and societal
growth is going to be more depended on brain power rather than muscle (The Economist,
2006).
What about social influence?
In the
social realm technology has had an unforeseen impact. People have gained an
incredible ability to communicate to the whole world but lost the ability to
communicate to those right in front of them. They surrender their physical reality
for one made up of digits and electronic waves. Instead of focusing on their individual
selves’ people are focused on how many followers they have, how many likes they’re
receiving, or what the latest celebrity drama is. Even worse is that what some
people are saying to others is causing a hostile online environment. Now there
are possibilities of cyberbullying and internet trolling, that
can really harm the mental and emotional state of individuals. Not to mention
the concept of data collection. Information is constantly collected from us whether
we realize it or not. Some believe that because of this we are headed into a society
of social cooling (Donoughue & O’Neill).
All of this is due to the individuals
letting themselves be used and pulled into their devices. At the end of the day
how media is consumed, and these platforms are used is up to each and every
person interacting with them.
Now what does all of this mean to me?
Well like I said every industry is
affected right? See when it comes to my future in the realm of Corporate
Communications and Commercial Design, my understanding of technology and how I can
use to my benefit will be crucial to my success and livelihood.
But what exactly do I need to understand? Just the software?
Just how to hold a conversation? Seems simple right?
If you think about it the barriers
to entry for design and to communicate are lower than ever. All you would need
is an internet connection and something to produce content with essentially
anyone can participate (Kutchinsky, 2014). However, its one thing to be able to
have access to this technology, and it’s another to be able to properly use
these as tools to beneficially affect the world. The reality of my position is
far more complex.
As a designer yes, I need to constantly
know my way around the Adobe Creative Suite and digital creative platforms. I
must be an early adopter
to these innovations. Once I know that I
should be okay, right? Not exactly. My role as a designer isn’t to just make
things look appealing, it is far greater than that. I can produce and create something
that can help with major social aspects (Warnecke, 2017). See I am not on the
end of the technology receiving chain, Vizard (2018) states that designers often
play a crucial role in mediating how people end up experiencing new technology.
This means that I too will be an innovator, not only do I help create what will
be passed on to the world, but I also have an influence on how it’s received (Satell,
2013).
That’s HUGE!
That level of power has immense responsibility.
I will play a huge role the circulation and adoption of a new media or
innovation. As Jenkins (2006) states the acceptance and circulation of media is
highly depended on the participation of the consumers, this means that I will
need to give the consumers a reason to want to get involved. In order me to relate to my consumers,
I need to properly understand their culture and customs. If I try to establish
myself and an innovation into an area and culture that I do not understand the potential
for the innovation to diffuse into the society greatly diminish (Rodgers,
1995). This is where my ability to communicate will be crucial. If they happen
to speak a language I do not I can utilize a translation platform to help
communicate. I must utilize the technique of design thinking to
develop and understand the people that I am designing for and understand their
problems and needs (Dam & Siang, 2019). By emersing myself into a culture i will gain a consumer insight on what is needed. From here I will be able
to create a product that is tailored to their personal needs.
"Great designers think more and design less"
- Christian Devereux
Corporate Communications and Commercial
Design are ever changing with the progression of new technology and innovations.
The enhancements in the Adobe products have enabled incredible creative ideas
to turn into something tangible (DMJ, January). Advances in our ability to
communicate, have provided us with the ability to reach out into other
communities and interact with people of different mindsets. In is then through heterophily that new ideas
and breakthroughs spawn, and through homophily that they spread throughout
cultures and better societies (Lee, Kim & Piercy, 2019). I wonder, what
drives this change? Well Chandler (1996) states that some technology will
radically transform society and/or our ways of thinking. Wait a second hasn’t that
happen? Well according technological
determinists, yes it has and it is still happening! However, I don’t share
these beliefs, when it comes to working and creating on an adobe platform the
technology doesn’t determine how I use it or what I create with it. Sure, I am
constrained by it and its abilities, but I push it to those limits and in doing
so I may find that additional applications are required. It is for these reason
that I have a social
culturalists stance in the drive of change.
Technological and Cultural aspects
are ever changing and adapting. Its up to us to help them change in a positive
way.
"Technology is neither good nor bad, but it also is not neutral, it depends on us"
- Jeffery Brand
Be sure to checkout the rest of my page. Thank you
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