Blog Entry #10

Lesson Overview: 
Today, we learnt about the importance of technological forecasting and assessment. How we need to have a vision of the future and devise stepping stones to achieve it rather than just moving forward from the present.


Interesting Ideas and Observations: 
We learnt the importance of strategic foresight. How it is necessary to prioritize whether and when to implement and use new innovations and technologies. This is especially important in developing countries where resources are scarce. 


Prof also provided us with an interesting analogy of a 'crushed paper' to illustrate visionary thinking. Instead of looking at the implementation of a certain technology through a crushed sheet of paper, having to weave through constraints set up by current institution and policies, we need to have a 'clean sheet of paper.' As mentioned in my previous entry, the lack of imagination is the only thing holding us back and once we let our imagination run free, we will be open to so many more beneficial technologies.


We need to gain an understanding of what kinds of changes a new technology innovation might bring. This reminded me of the very first TWC lecture where Prof showed us where technology is leading us.. A fat, lazy person! If we have proper technology assessment procedures in place, the negative implications of this technology will be forecasted and we should be able to shift away from this future!


Prof also mentioned that we need to take obstacles and challenges of today and make them stepping stones in the future. I feel that one reason why people fear to innovate is because they fear failure. I found this video of technology forecaster, Paul Saffer. He speaks about the importance of cherishing failure. 






The quote i took away from this video was "We FAIL our way into the future."


Key Takeaways:
The close interaction of governments (policy setters) and technology developers is required. Technology developers' lack of awareness often leads to negative implications in the form of ethical, environmental or economic effects. Governments need to interact with technology developers, and work closely to identify these negative implications and weight the benefits vs the costs.


Benjamin Franklin mentioned, "Look before, or you'll find yourself behind." Innovation is necessary. We need to keep looking forward. The video on teleportation technology was a bit far-fetched to me but who knows? Teleportation could be the next big thing. We should never rule out possibilities as this is what constraints us from innovation.


Personal Ratings:
I would rate this session 7/10. Although the topic was a bit dry, there were many videos which were really interesting. I especially enjoyed the video that gave us glimpses of the future technology awaiting us in the years to come. I must say that i can hardly wait. Also, this session really helped me complete the final section of my topical review paper.