Reading Responses

The New Digital Age by Schmidt and Cohen starts off with a thought provoking introduction that focuses on how technology will improve literally all aspects of life and change how things are performed due to creative technology. Also discussed is the potential for mass contributions from those all around the world due to everybody being connected through the internet. They mention the benefits of complete connectivity and how processor chips have the capability to double in speed every 18 months leading to many different possibilities. The scenarios presented by Schmidt and Cohen are fascinating yet make me feel skeptical. The fact that every aspect of society would revolve around technology is a scary thought, living completely different lives compared to those in the past where living in a technology based world wasn't possible. The next reading contrasted Schmidt and Cohen, where Jaron Lanier fully supports the technological takeover in his book You are Not a Gadget. I understand the titles meaning in that us as humans are not physically gadgets, yet I feel like people grow more and more each day to depending on technology to live. Having peoples lives revolve around electronics and other devices just doesn't seem right, yet it seems almost a guarantee which leads to my optimistic feelings on the future.