30 April 2007

Being able to turn Everyware off is a very real challenge that is going to be hard to figure out. At one point the ubiquitous systems will be so integrated, that human error could cause grave trouble. The most real example that I can cite of this is automated highways, similar to Minority report. The cars are communicating with each other, not the drivers, so what a driver may choose to do while controlling his car may be very different for what the other cars around him thought was going to happen. This is just one example of how turning off the ubiquitous system could cause grave danger to everyone else that is continuing to use it. Another more recent/funny example is the new Visa commercials where everyone is paying with a check card, and the cafe is operating at near Dr. Seuss level. Next, one person comes up with cash and throws the entire thing out of whack. While this is not an example of ubiquitous systems having too much information...ect, it is an example of the stresses that people will put on efficency the more ingrained this quick technology becomes. It is like at the grocery store when someone writes a check. No one talks bad to the person, but everyone wishes they would get with the times.

1 comment:

jakesiller said...

Your automated highway idea speaks to me. I believe that you will have the options to control your "vehicle" and there will be a lane for human drivers. Of course the 300 mph trip will slow down for human input, but the system will go on. As far as ubiquitous systems, I'm not sure the option will present itself. It'll be so advanced that telling the room cold while you're desiring warm temperature will be overridden by the system's comfort level detector. Looks like your stuck with what you really wanted.