Emerging issues of change…
24/7/365: no home-office divide – but flexibility!;
By 2010, we talk to our computers, they talk back, and recognize us via biometrics;
By 2015, hyper-reality widespread;
By 2020, micromachines create “smart” materials;
By 2020, people are “globens” – world citizens;
By 2020, routine, computer language translation;
Notes:
- ”24/7/365” stands for ”24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year” – which is basically the concept of round-the-clock service and product provision towards which the economy of the U.S.A. is moving. The downside for the worker is increased pressure to meet customer needs; the upside is increased flexibility in scheduling their own workdays and vacations.
- ”Biometrics” refers to technologies that scan for biological measurements and identifiers, like retinal prints, voiceprints, handprints, DNA, etc. The computer industry as a whole feels the keyboard is on the verge of obsolescence, except perhaps for specialized functions like numerical input, where fingers are still faster than voice.
- ”Hyper-reality,” while similar to virtual reality in using computer projections, does not replace real visuals, but creates a visual information overlay for reality: imagine glasses that provide a read-out offering names, degree programs, and hometowns that would float underneath each of your faces and help us all personalize our discussions more quickly.
- Micromachines: go to Sandia National Laboratories’ wonderful Intelligent Micromachine Initiative and view movies of machines the width of human hairs. http://www.mdl.sandia.gov/micromachine/movies.html
- These will provide extremely detailed and ubiquitous sensing and monitoring capabilities for both machine and organic systems, as well as the potential for extremely efficient, waste-free assembly and production of goods.