Technology Growth

by Eric J. Specht

June 2010

Ray Kurzweil introduces some interesting information about technology today and in tomorrow’s generation. Accepting his predictions may be to sci-fi for most people, however summed up in chapter one of our textbook is taxonomy on computers today. Born into the world of technology is normal and adopted without hesitation, as we age we pursue the knowledge and the want to obtain newly developed inventions. Perhaps, by an elder age, we grow leery of promising technology because it appears outside of our natural way of life (Beekman, Beekman, 2009), which may be the reason I alienate Kurzweil’s predictions.

After I viewed Ray Kurzweil’s online seminars, I realize there was some truth to his statements, but also concluded his analysis of technology in decades to come maybe surreal. I have to agree, technological growth is exponential, and it appears obvious that it is not linear. Cell phones, Ipods, PC’s, laptops and thousands of more inventions have a life span of a year before more effective and efficient computers outdate them. On the other hand, injecting nano-techs into the blood stream to become an Olympian, relaxing on the bottom of the pool for hours, or to cure health issues is presented as abstract, similar to Salvador Dali paintings of reality. I do not dismiss the ideas, but actually hope Kurzweil’s speculations will benefit the future. However, with six in one hand and a half of dozen in the other, it is a balance act where technology promises may benefit and/or corrupt the future. For example, I am excited about the idea of computer blood cells treating health problems. Nevertheless, do we need immoral citizens hardwired with Olympian potentials? Where there is hope there is concern, and as everything are governed, regulations are broken and abused.

Beekman, G., & Beekman, B. (2009). Our Digital Planet. In D. Adams,

Tomorrow's Technology and You (Ninth ed., p. 9). New Jersey: Pearson

Education, Inc. (Original work published 2006)