A lack of technology is not always the missing factor for a device or concept to become reality, in fact it’s more or less the human interaction and implementation (or lack of) that is the demise of technology. Ubiquitous computing is perfectly plausible in terms of the hardware needed; this is evident in research that IBM, PARC, Sony, MIT, and others have been doing for at least a decade. Or, if you do not believe me, talk a walk into a Radioshack and notice the incredible amount of small devices that have become artificially smarter thanks to some circuits and processors.
Everyware relates to the telegraph specifically in this way, the two main ingredients needed for the telegraph to work had already been identified: electricity and the idea of sending messages through wire. The latter had long been speculated through an urban legend involving “magic needles”, not to mention research people had been doing. If the technology needed to power such paradigm inventions, such as the telegraph and ubiquitous computing, are possible long before their adoption, then it is plausible they just lack proper human interfacing and practical implementation.
I find it intriguing that Claude Chappe, the inventor of the “first practical telecommunication system” (Wikipedia), took up scientific research “in particular, the problems associated with building an electrical signaling system” when he in fact would be the first to invent one, minus the use of electricity and wires. Like one can research electrical signaling systems before the adoption of the telegraph, I think it’s wise to research ubiquitous computing before its adoption like this class is doing. Preparedness for the future seems to be a non ending battle, of course with global literacy, what else could one expect.
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2 comments:
That's a very interesting thought, that "If the technology needed to power...inventions...are possible long before their adoption, then it is plausible they just lack proper human interfacing and practical implementation". It rings true to me, not just in the instance of the telegraph, but in many instances of technology. It makes me really wonder what the world is capable of, at this very moment, that we don't know about because we haven't figured it out yet. It's kind of frustrating, actually. There is so much available to us that we just aren't able to utilize yet because our brains haven't expanded to encompass some particular knowledge.
Although we are capable of being in a world decades ahead of our time, we must first come to grips with reality. The world is about profits and companies will squeeze every last penny possble from even outdated inventions or modifcations.
In Brazil, the whole automotive indutry will be converted to 100% sugercane fuel withen the next decade. Here in America where corperations have extensive power, we are just milking any available profits possible thinking that we have enough oil for a lifetime.
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