I am, by nature, a very sociable person. Love to meet new people, engage in conversation, debate a given topic, etc. (NOTE: I wasn't always this way. No, I used to be quite shy and reserved. You can blame my wife for creating the incessant rambling and babbling person I am today.")
I wanted to preface my lone prediction for 2011 by saying all that because my lone prediction for 2011 (and beyond actually) is I fear we will continue to move away from interacting with people.... from actually speaking to and with people... real, live people.
I just read an article entitled: "Citibank’s Bank Of The Future."
"... the bank features state of the art technologies such as interactive touchscreens that detail the bank’s services, a 24/7 video chat station to interact with customer service reps."And it just reinforced my fears...
Why talk to and engage with a live teller when a video screen will do?
Hey, I'm all for progress and technological advances and all that good stuff... I really am.
But at what price?
Where will it end?
I have a 6 year old son and 11 year old daughter. I'm starting to think they're the last of a generation that will be taught in school by actual live teachers. Hell, by the time they're in college, they may be taught by Rosie the Robot or Max Headroom.
Technology is like life. It cannot be stopped. I get that. And I anxiously and eagerly await the latest breakthrough designed to make our lives easier and more convenient.
But can we factor into the algorithms and blueprints and wireframes and all that jazz the human being factor?
So, that's my prediction for 2011.
I am quite certain it will come to fruition, sadly.
But hey, if anyone wants to grab a cup of coffee and actually have a discussion face to face, count me in!
'Til next time...
1 comment:
Steve, have you been using a Mac machine or what dude? You sound like the Mac machine is really nothing compared to the video screen teller. THAT scares the hell out of me!
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