The use of technology is changing
and evolving the world in which we live.
Google continues this trend by introducing a floating balloon that will
connect more people than ever before through Internet access. Currently Internet
is not available to all rural, poor, and desolate locations. The use Google’s free-floating
stratospheric balloons will create the opportunity to further connect individuals
across the globe in every location. Google claims that with stratospheric
balloons more coverage and knowledge can be had during a crisis situation, such
as the typhoon that recently hit the Philippians. In reality more than one
balloon would be directed to the Philippians to provide stronger Internet
connection to know what is going on. While this is an intelligent idea I see a
gap in the availability of devices to access the Internet during a crises
situation. One other positive Google
states is that the balloons will provide economic opportunities and education
for the individuals who are lacking the necessities to evolve with the speed of
technology and communication.
More access
to the Internet could lead to great things for every individual, however it
could also minimize and extinguish the opportunity for personal connection
through face-to-face contact. Google’s hope is that cafés, restaurants, and airplanes
will be able to provide free Internet access without any delays or the
experience of slow coverage. Communication
will then be limited through a device. The device will play as the middleman
between two people, whether the two people are thousands of miles away or
sitting across the table from each other. This trend is seen today as well. For
example when I walk around campus more people are looing down at their phone
than looking up at the world around them.
The chance to engage in a conversation is becoming narrow. With easier
access to Internet it will continue to narrow the window of opportunity, our
society will then lack the knowledge of how to converse.
As
technology increases I believe verbal communication decreases, which creates a lack
of knowledge far greater than what the Internet can provide or teach. It is
vital that companies ponder the affect a product has on society and it’s future
before placing a product to the beckon call of consumer’s.
