The Future of Communications

What will our world look by in 2040 with “the Internet of Things”

By Libby Bora

 Imagine this scenario:

You are out of milk? Your refrigerator detects the carton is almost empty and puts it on a list. Once it is time to go to the grocery store, your refrigerator sends a list to your phone, which automatically places a pre-order. Once you arrive at the grocery store, your items are pre-paid for by an online account you have set up, and are waiting to be picked up. You do not have to interact with anyone during this whole process. You don’t even ever have to say, “honey, we are low on milk, can you put it on the list?” It’s already on the list.

This scenario is completely made up in my head, but in truth, in the future it is highly plausible. Take a look at what communications experts imagine a day in the life of a person in 2040 looks like.

What we don’t see from this image is the other endless possibilities as the Internet inevitably takes over. There was no room in the info graphic to mention that his phone could open fibers in his Nano pajamas if he gets too warm, or that his slippers can lead him to the bathroom at midnight.

Putting aside this one particular man and expanding my view of connected devices, I see the lights powering on wherever he goes, and turning off when he leaves. A haptic display on the bathroom mirror shows the weather, news, and his itinerary. It informs him he missed a spot while brushing (his toothbrush beeped). The shower will automatically adjust to the perfect temperature. A cup of his favorite hot beverage is brewed at just the right time. At this point in time, I see a person having what many would call the perfect life, but what I would call the worst kind of life. Everything will be done for us! There will be literally no reason to put effort into any task.

Is the Internet of Things all hype?

The Internet of Things is already a thing. Right now it is in its early stages. In the future, when wireless tracking devices become cheap enough to spread like seeds of knowledge, it will be a game changer. Some industries are developing it because it gives them what they want most. Information about you. Where you go. What you do. There will likely be ‘Minority Report’ type advertising, electronic billboards in every tolerated location that are personalized for you. Just like search engines and email services today, there will probably be a trade-off involved, where you get a service for free and in return the providers get to use your information to tailor ads for you.

However, if you are one of those people who wants to jump on the “Internet of things” bandwagon, there are numerous ways to connect your home.

Mother and the Motion Cookies are a family of smart sensors that are programmed
to perform the functions you want and that can change as often as you need.

(https://sen.se/store/mother/)

There are wireless thermostats that you can control over the web. An electricity monitor that shows you the true cost of running your air conditioning. Power outlets, lamps and even the light bulbs themselves are connecting wirelessly to the Internet. There is a device that goes under propane tanks of a grill. Your phone will let you know when you need a refill before you start cooking. The possibilities are virtually endless at this point.

What does this mean for society? The word communication has evolved tremendously over the course of history. From the telegraph to the computer to a grill that has to ability to tell you when its’ gas is empty, the innovations have been vast. But, what I believe it comes down to is that people are just getting lazy. Yes, all these possible future technologies are enticing. But do we really need them? The answer is definitely NO. The “Internet of Things” will eventually be the downfall of any real communication. There will be no need for face-to-face interaction. When doing daily chores and errands that would normally require some human interaction, technology will take over. All processes, like my grocery store example, will become revolutionized by technology.

Internet of Things Articles, Blogs and Web Sites

Title	Source
Temporary tattoo could let diabetics monitor glucose levels without needles	Gizmag
Luna smart mattress cover takes Internet of Things to bed	Gizmag
Internet-of-Things (IoT) Advances Home Healthcare for Seniors	Embedded Intel
The Top 10 Areas to Explore When Considering the Internet of Things	InfoBright
Google[x] Reveals Nano Pill To Seek Out Cancerous Cells	TechCrunch
Ear-IT project	Gizmag

 

The History of Social Media, a True Game Changer.

History is such an important part of our studies, by knowing our history we can use it to shape and learn about our present and future.

One part of history that I do not believe we study enough is our media history. Especially in our present day consumer and material world where all of these medias are closely tied in to important topics such as education, communication, health, government, and much more. By looking at all of our past medias such as the typewriter, telegraph, early internet, and more we are able to get an understanding of how our current day media and technology has evolved to what it is today. It also gives us insight into what was needed and wanted back when that particular media was popular.

Media history IS important, and I have come to realize that the history of social media has become increasingly important to our society.

Social media:

“Forms of electronic communication (as Web sites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content (as videos). – Merriam Webser

Knowing and understanding the history of social media has become so important because of the power that it has had and continues to have in shaping and changing our future.

Here are a few examples

• Myspace and Facebook are two social media websites that have affected us positively in numerous ways. We are able to communicate, share, and connect with people all over the world. These platforms have become a place where we not only are able to socialize but we can share information that other have shared with us.

• Youtube was the first major video hosting and sharing website it allows people to make their own videos whether they are informative, comical, or other they allow us to share with anyone worldwide. Today we see Youtube’s influence because it has basically become an archive of information, we can find hair tutorials, cooking videos, or history lessons, but one thing is for sure… Youtube is providing us with information to expand our knowledge.

• Twitter is a platform that has greatly changed the way we get our information. Today if you are following the right people all you have to do is scroll through your twitter feed and learn about what is currently going on in the world.

All of these social media platforms have changed the way our society communicates; it is instant, personal, sharable, creative, and unique. The history of our social media is helping mold the future of our communication.

Links to benefits of social media:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2014/08/11/the-top-10-benefits-of-social-media-marketing/

http://kaizen-marketing.com/social-media-important/

https://blog.udemy.com/why-social-media-is-important/

By Jacqueline

Is Augmented Reality the Future?

By Taylor Yale

Augmented reality is a technology that people have discussed and been excited about since the 80s. In the beginning, augmented reality (AR) was really more of a video game thing. People could put on helmets and escape to a whole virtual fantasy world to play their games. Google took the idea of AR by the horns and created their Google Glass. Google glass was a wearable technology in the form of glasses with the ability to display information that you could get from your smart-phone, but in a hands free format. When this was first introduced, people were excited, but due to a $1500 price tag, it did not take off and the idea was shelved. 

The failure of Google Glass hasn’t stopped other companies from trying their hand at augmented reality. Sony just released their version of AR glasses and are selling them for only $840. These glasses basically do everything Google Glass did. You can ask how to get somewhere while you are walking and directions will pop up right on the lenses. You can text your friend while you are walking and the conversation will appear right in front of your face.

That seems safe, right? Not to mention how much of a stellar fashion statement wearing those would be. Sony isn’t the only company looking into augmented reality. Microsoft is currently in the process of developing HoloLens, which they say goes even beyond “augmented reality and virtual reality by enabling you to interact with three-dimensional holograms blended with your real world. Microsoft HoloLens is more than a simple heads-up display, and its transparency means you never lose sight of the world around you. High-definition holograms integrated with your real world will unlock all-new ways to create, communicate, work, and play.”

HoloLens

All of these types of AR sound exciting and promising, but I wonder if it will live up to their expectations? That’s exactly what the writers of Cheat Sheet wonder too. Most of the prototypes of these objects are bulky and not consumer friendly… especially for people who aren’t good with technology in the first place. If people buy these products, they are going to want to look good in them, which is a “lofty goal with a number of formidable requirements: creating convincing virtual images, packing advanced technology into a practical and portable wearable device, ensuring that the environment continues to look good as the user moves around, and finding a practical way to power it” (Cheat sheet). I still am not sure if people today are ready for this type of technology. Just watching the videos demonstrating how the products work makes me a little motion sick. Also, I already have to wear glasses due to by terrible eyesight, so will they make a corrective lens version of these glasses? Only time and advances in technology will tell.

What’s Next?

I have a confession to make:
On multiple instances, I have been sitting in a class and randomly think to myself: “Sneeze if you can hear me.” I then frantically observe my peers hoping to catch the slightest happenings of a sneeze. Unfortunately, I am let down every single time. After watching Twilight for the first time, as well as Canadian TV series The Listener, a tiny area in my heart silently hoped for the day that I discovered someone who could read minds. Any day of the week my chosen superpower is telepathy (tied with invisibility). However, my dreams are short lived because telepathy has always gone beyond the scope of our human ability … until now. According to experiments conducted by Dr. Rajesh Rao in his University of Washington lab, I should pick out a superhero name because the future of communication technology is headed towards telepathy.

The University of Washington’s website detailing the experiment, states that the objective was to “demonstrate that it is possible to send information extracted from one brain directly to another brain, allowing the first subject to cause a desired response in the second subject through direct brain-to-brain communication.”

Well, that sounds simple enough (actually, that doesn’t sound simple at all). The next question is obvious: how’d they do it?!

In a much appreciated summary provided by Dann Albright— blogger for tech website makeuseof.com–in conjunction with an article written by Kristyn Bates— research assistant professor in neuroscience at University of Western Australia — I was able to get the gist of it.

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One person is hooked up to an electroencephalography (EEG) sensor whereas the other is connected to a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device. The EEG sensor works to detect and record brain activity in specific areas of the brain. The TMS device stimulates the brain through electrical pulses. When used together, these two technologies are able to send messages from one brain to another. Through the use of a video game (of course!), the person wearing the EEG sensor was able to successfully control the movements (such as a finger twitch) of the person wearing the TMS device in order to win the game.

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While this telepathic technology is nowhere near being introduced in a consumer market, it introduces a very important question: what does the existence of this sort of technology mean for the future of our society?

In this stage, one can only speculate. Initially, I was beyond excited to stumble upon this data. The simple thought of telepathy in the realm of the real word is insane … the good kind of insane. However, I’d be foolish if I didn’t consider the negative consequences associated with a technology of this magnitude. The first issue to come to mind is concentrated on issues of privacy. If nothing else in this world is true, it remains fact that our thoughts are inherently our own and never subject to the possibility of intrusion. Dann Albright speculates on what could result from this technology:

“Sending texts directly to friends’ smart glasses just by thinking a few words. Transmitting sensory information so someone can see or hear (or even feel) what you’re experiencing.”

Initially, that’s all fine and dandy. However, what if these advances are unwanted.

This technology, while very exciting, holds the possibility of treading on very dangerous waters. Waters than can, and will, transform society in a way that no one is prepared for. It’s time I rethink that superpower.

**images retrieved from: http://homes.cs.washington.edu/~rao/brain2brain/experiment.html**

Nisha Simpson

Virtual Worlds: A Second Chance at Life

When most people think of video games, virtual worlds, second life, and virtual simulation there is automatically a clichéd thought that arises. Some may say it reminds them of the stereotypical 30 year-old, nerdy, male, living in his mother’s basement. In my case it reminds me of two of my teenage male and female cousins who spend considerably too much time playing World of Warcraft and The Sims.

I’ve always thought “what a waste of time, why live vicariously through an avatar when I can live my real life”. My view on virtual worlds has been drastically altered and I think yours might as well.

What if I told you that Virtual worlds can actually be an opportunity for many to have a second chance in life, and opportunity to imagine and create experiences that users may not have been able to have in their real lives.

Virtual worlds are just that—a chance to structure and experience life in anyway the user desires. This virtual community is significantly growing year by year.

“Millions of people are leading double lives by participating in virtual worlds on the Web. These worlds are part-fantasy and, increasingly, a lot like real life, in which people, assuming the digital avatars, can do real world-like things such as drive cars, attend business meetings, dance at nightclubs and shop for clothes.”

– National Post

Virtual worlds are in many ways revolutionary; we are in control of how we live our virtual lives. We can design our avatars to represent us in anyway we choose to, there are few limitations in the virtual world.

As great as it is for a user to be able to login and live vicariously through their avatars pretending they are millionaires, with a supermodel girlfriend, and a house on the beach there are also other more significant uses for these virtual worlds.

Virtual worlds have the ability to offer people with disabilities a place where they can connect, communicate, and socialize with others in a way that they may not be able to do so in their real lives.

“ Many adults with disabilities experience difficulties with communication, and this impacts their ability to interact with others and to initiate or maintain friendships.”

– Karen Stendal, Judith Molda-Danielsen, Susan Balandin

It is possible that virtual worlds may not create a life altering experience for people with disabilities. Second lives may continue to simply be a place where users go to live out their fantasy lives. But just imagine if these second lives have any type of positive impact on those with disabilities, how potentially revolutionary and life changing this could be!

-Jacqueline Luna-Castro

Privacy in Online Environments

As technology has progressed through the years, people are getting used to storing more and more of their information online. People have online bank accounts, ways to pay their bills online. They have begun to freely save their passwords and important information, but is it safe?

PrivacyRights.org made a list of ways that websites online can store your information. Unless you have knowledge of what terms like “cookies” or “fingerprinting” etc. mean, then you will not look out for them when you are on the internet. Cookies are pieces of information sent by a web server to a user’s browser. Cookies can include information such as login or registration identification, user preferences, online “shopping cart” information, and so on.

A lot of social media websites claim that your information is protected, but is that really true? There is a community of online people who are called “hackers” who use their computers to gain unauthorized access to data. They do that for just reasons or sometimes for personal gain. In 2012, South Carolina’s department of revenue was hacked and the personal information of taxpayers (their social security and credit card numbers) were obtained. People hack into phones to access personal pictures and expose them to others, sometimes to make a profit like when celebrities got their private pictures hacked. Another popular hacking scandal to happen recently is that of Sony Pictures. In November 2014, emails between employees of Sony Pictures were released as well as information on salaries of people at the company, and movies that were not released in theaters at that time.

On Facebook, people accept friend requests from complete strangers just so their friendship count is high. They are allowing these strangers to get glimpses into their lives. It would be better if people just accepted their close friend group and family members into their Facebook world, but that wouldn’t be fun, would it? Any one of these random friends can take your information and use it for their own. For example, on a show called “Catfish” on MTV, there was an instance where a person took pictures from someone they liked and used it as their profile picture and pretended to take on their persona.

Is someone watching you?

Not only can people access your credit card and personal information online, the stuff you Google can be tracked by “tracking cookies” which take what you google and caters advertisements to what you search.

Online, there are no real standards for privacy across all boards. Each social media website compiles its own list for privacy settings which are often overlooked in the terms and conditions readings. There needs to be a set list of privacy standards so people can be assured that their information is safe and they are protected from fraud.

can we take it back to basics?

In a time when technology is arguably taking over every aspect of our lives, what does it mean when one chooses to reject technology? When you really think about it, does a ‘no technology’ option truly exist? And if it does, what attracts some people towards it? According to Jennifer Sharpe, reporter for popular online news source NPR, it is very possible to reject technology. In fact, she’s found a movement full of people who made a decision to do just that.

Before I begin, I feel inclined to state that these individuals do not adhere to an Amish lifestyle. More times than not, we continually associate a non-technological lifestyle with that of the Amish. However, in this instance, that is not the case.

Located in the Western areas of the United States, people have chosen to adopt a lifestyle many would consider unorthodox: a way of life that emphasizes the capacities of human power while undermining society’s dependence on technology.

Picture this: It’s a typical Monday morning around 6AM, and like many others, you work from home. You sluggishly hop out of bed, start a pot of coffee and power up your multiple Apple devices. It’s a rather simple reality, right? As a society, we perform these everyday tasks without a second thought. We rely heavily on the efficient technology that has been integrated into our lives.

Now, imagine the exact same scenario with a few key differences. Instead of waking up at 6AM, you wake up at 5AM. Before you get the pleasure of starting that pot of Folgers coffee, you hop on a bicycle. Based simply on the work that you perform, this machine will supply the energy needed to power up a large portion of your home office.

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The Pedal Powered Prime Mover (PPPM) invented by David Butcher to generate human powered energy.

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Inventors like Lonnie Green, David Butcher, Adam Boesel, Paul Freedman and Albert Hartman have all chosen to reject the technology associated with traditional forms of electrical energy and instead, focus on the power of the human body. The question is: why?

Mr. Green believes tapping into human power will sway us away from “button-activated conveniences” that have made our bodies weak. Mr. Butcher admires the connection that is formed when one watches the energy they produce power up another machine. Mr. Boesel speaks of humans taking control of their environment in a world plagued by obesity and global warming. Mr. Freedman — also known as Fossil Fool, the bike rapper (seriously!)– expresses a particular appreciation for the sense of community that is formed. Mr. Hartman, however, views human power as a way of survival.

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“Because we’re so used to just pushing a button and making something happen or pulling a lever, and there’s no effort. When you use human power or the bulldozer, you have to work to make something happen.” — Lonnie Green

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Human power advocates, as they’re called, have done something truly extraordinary. They’ve declined the idea that evolving technology is essentially a super glue that successfully combines the many different aspects of our lives. They’ve rejected the notion that our “survival” is dependent upon our ability to accept and keep up with advancing technologies. These human power advocates have successfully chosen a small version of the ‘no technology’ option.

Now, I’m not saying we should all go hop on bicycles and (literally) power up the city. I am, however, introducing the idea that we do not have to blindly accept the tech advancements that are constantly thrown at us. Many times, we aren’t given the option to reject. However, as the previously mentioned inventors remind us, we can always choose a smaller ‘no technology’ option. I mean, who really needs a toothbrush that gives you points for brushing longer than two minutes? No one.

Nisha Simpson

Can’t we all be wealthy, gorgeous, models, vacationing in Fiji?

Imagine a world where you can look any way you want, own anything you want, and be anywhere you want. That world sounds pretty amazing, right? What if I told you that you are most likely already a part of that world? We refer to this limitless place as, the Internet.

In our online communities we have experimented and created an unwritten set of rules and norms. Lying, deviance, and deception are aspects that we frown upon in our genuine lives, but for some reason these three aspects have become more commonly accepted to be a regular part of online culture.

Instagram and Facebook have been especially infamous for having this deceptive culture with issues such as “catfish”, photo stealing, and the use of photo editing.

“To “Catfish” is when someone who pretends to be someone they’re not using Facebook or other social media to create false identities, particularly to pursue deceptive online romances.”           –Urban Dictionary

Catfish is a very popular American documentary film, which later inspired an MTV reality television series, Catfish: The TV Show, it talks about the reality of being “catfished” on the Internet. Startlingly there are hundreds of people out there who have found the Internet to be a place where they can create new identities or pretend to be someone they are not.

The popularity of smartphones has given the deceptive online community culture and extra boost in recent years. Today anyone who owns a smartphone has access to various social media, a high definition camera, and a plethora of photo editing applications. Instagram has become a platform, which many users use to edit and post their photographs into a product that they want to show to their friends and followers. The deceptive aspect of this photo sharing is that in many instances the final product that is being put out for the audience is not an accurate representation.

The use of filters, lighting, camera angles, etc. allow users to edit their photographs into a product that they want to showcase to their audience.

Along with photo editing some just skip that process and use the photographs of others and post them as their own. For instance it could appear as if Jane Doe is spending her spring break in beautiful Cabo San Lucas when in reality she is sitting on her couch at home, to deceive her followers all it took was a quick copy and paste and the addition of a creative caption.

What is most surprising about the deception involved in online communities is that it has become so normal that many accept it to be an aspect of participation that we must be aware of and get accustomed to.

Today in the Facebook and Instagram communities we find ourselves at a place where maybe we cannot always believe what we see.

Click on the links below to enjoy a few laughs of people engaging in the deviant online culture.

13 People Caught Lying on Instagram

The Reality Behind Instagram Feeds

– Jacqueline Luna-Castro

True Life: you’re NOT addicted to social media

addiction.
|əˈdikSHən|

“Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry … Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response.”

— American Society of Addiction Medicine

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As tech-savvy individuals living in 2015, we’ve come to accept the notion that social media platforms are greatly affecting the ways that we view and use communication technologies. However, a new trend is emerging: people are claiming that they’re addicted to social media. Let’s explore this concept by focusing on the two primary components of that statement: addicted and social media.

I. Addiction
As defined above by the ASAM, addiction refers to a chronic brain disease. Traditionally linked to substances (drugs, alcohol) and behaviors (sex, gambling), ‘addiction’ is a loaded term that evokes intense emotional reactions. An addict’s substance of choice infiltrates and conquers every aspect of their life. Those fortunate enough to conquer their demons, often report a lifelong, uphill battle full of ups and downs. Addiction is not a term to be thrown around lightly.

“There’s an addiction in society that is spreading daily, shows no signs of stopping, affects more people than drugs and alcohol, and it’s so clever that you might not even know you’re suffering. It’s an addiction to social media.”

— Justin Huntsdale

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II. Social Media
Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Pinterest. Vine. LinkedIn
We are no strangers to modern social media. Most of us have multiple accounts that span different platforms. We keep up with distant friends and family, share inspirational quotes, read about newsworthy events happening globally, and at times, make pointless six second videos for the pure purpose of entertainment.

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Where, then, is the argument for addiction introduced? Those who claim social media addiction say they can’t put it down. These alleged, self-proclaimed addicts report feelings of unease and anxiety when separated. The article gave a listing of “symptoms” that may signify media addiction. These include:

•  When you’re not on Facebook, you’re preoccupied with it even if you’re not online.
• You close the Facebook screen and instantaneously re-open it and not know why.

A combination of these elements lead some towards the self-proclamation of social media addiction.

Explicitly stated: I completely deny the legitimacy and existence of social media addiction. However, I am not denying the existence of the negative consequences often reported with its usage — research has been done to support the actual existence of these implications. I am, although, denying the inappropriate and inaccurate use of the term ‘addiction’.

Simply put, addiction is a serious, chronic disease that completely destroys and reshapes the lives of millions . It isn’t a word to be whimsically thrown around in order to place emphasis on an ideal.

I think the word they’re looking for is dependent.
They are dependent on social media. They are not addicted!

Nisha Simpson

Technology Bringing us Together

40 years ago when someone wanted to contact a person in another state, what did they do? Take out a sheet of paper, write a letter, and send it off in the mail. They used to call it snail mail. Now-a-days, it’s easier than ever to connect with someone you know, whether it be a loved one, a friend, or even an acquaintance. Through the use of different communication technologies, people are connected now more than ever.

People tend to shed a negative light on social media, claiming that it draws people in to their own circle and makes them ignore what is going on around them. However, it assists in sharing your world with people who care about you, or introducing it to new people.

There are a lot of sites now, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many others that aim in connected you to others. You can “friend” them, “follow” them, and never miss a post. For me, these sites are very useful when I want to connect to my friends and family in different cities or states. My best friend goes to a different college than me, and I thought the separation would be tough, but we communicate almost every through Facebook and have a Skype session once a month.

Even the simple technology of a cell phone is valuable in bringing people together. I can call my dad any time I want to chat or send a text to my brother to see how his day is going. There are apps now on smart phones where you can even call or text people in other countries! One of my very good friends is studying in the Netherlands, and I text her all the time through WhatsApp. I can also see what she is doing through her little SnapChat updates. Without these apps, I would have to wait for her to get back from her trip to show me pictures she took.

In the professional world, there are sites like LinkedIn that can help employers you would not normally interact with can see your profile and can help you land your dream job. It’s easier now to get a group of people together to support a cause and make change.

All of these sites and apps were not made to distract people from the real world. They were made to help them connect with people they wouldn’t be able to connect with without them. Imagine how happy Paul Revere would be if he could send a tweet saying, “The British are Coming” rather than frantically riding around on his horse through town.

– Taylor Yale