Its hard to say what could become "smart" nowadays.
I mean its like you walk down the street and all of a sudden the street signs are speaking to me on Mass Ave and weird dancing street icon people........
but i have to admit i kind of love it.
I think its invigorating to see how far human kind can go with making things "smart". I will say though at the same time, i am still a little hesitant for things to become smart that should just stay .... well whatever the opposite of smart is.
For example, i love snail mail and newspaper. I think its traditional, has a lot of meaning when you receive something in the mail. I get way more excited with mail than a facebook message, text message, or email. It just shows more effort went into it, and you can physically display or save that item.
It is strange to me that in class when Steve is teaching, he comes up with brilliant
( at least in my opinion) ideas for ways to make something "smart". It takes me like hours to come up with an example. I may just be a traditional person at heart.
My most favorite smart item would probably be the fact that my new used car i just bought has the capabilities for me to use my cell phone via bluetooth capabilities. I simply turn the bluetooth on, on my phone and the car syncs with my phone. I can make and receive calls by pressing a button on my steering wheel. It makes things a loooooot easier and safer. Also, the car comes with a keyless entry. I think this qualifies under the "smart" category. I dont need a key to start the car or to open the doors. It's a blessing. But i must remember to not get caught up in the "smart" phenomenon because with technology, it can go wrong and cause more problems than you started with.
bitter sweet.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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Nice post. I'm with you. The "smart" future is a little bit intimidating. When I was reading your post, it reminded me of something I read last semester about this artist/designer named Durrell Bishop. He's very interested in encoding information in everyday items. For instance he somehow "tagged" (not sure about the technology) a toy frog that for whatever reason reminded him of a friend. When he brings the toy frog to his computer a folder opens on the computer with photos/emails/whatever about that friend. Isn't that awesome? It's a "smart" object, but not in the way we traditionally think of smart objects. It's really inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you check out the write up on him in IDEO founder Bill Moggridge's incredible book "Designing Interactions." It's available to read online with your IUPUI login (http://site.ebrary.com/lib/iupui/Doc?id=10173639). The entire chapter called "Multisensory and Multimedia" is great, but the section on Durrell Bishop begins on page 541. Actually the entire book is great. Really really good resource to thumb through if you hit a creative roadblock.
I just bought a new refrigerator when my old one broke down. I was warned about buying a "smart" fridge, because of the cost to replace different parts when they fail. I completely hear where you're coming from on this. Technology is supposed to make things easier - and in some instances cheaper - i.e. the new Energy Star appliances. But, I wonder if smart technology is simply taking the "smart" out of people. I often go to dial my own mother's phone, and have absolutely no idea what her phone number is, because I haven't had to remember it in so long, as it is plugged into my address book. Technology makes things easily accessible, so why do I need to commit any information at all to memory?? The one thing I do know for sure is, if the power goes out, we're all in big trouble.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I take notes on my computer, because it's much easier for me to find and refer to them later, I'd rather be using a pen and paper - even doodling a little helps me process. I'd rather read a book on paperback, rather than digitally, so that I can highlight the things that stand out to me, and feel the pages turning. I'd rather scan through a newspaper or a magazine rather than an online list of headlines, as I can always rip out the things I want to save, and recycle the rest. However, I think all of these things are falling by the wayside. They most likely won't be around in ten years.
I keep reminding myself that even though we have all these "Smart" devices in our lives, there is always someone smarter than the device; it's creator.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at all the technology in our lives and how we constantly are craving more and more each day. My car isn't as fancy as yours, but I really love having radio controls on my steering wheel. I have an aftermarket radio that I refuse to install because I love those controls. The radio itself is poor quality, but I don't want to give up the convenience of the radio controls that are right at my finger tips.
If you are having trouble finding "Smart" things in which to blog about; couldn’t you just Google "Smart Things" or something relative to that and see what comes up? Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteMy fear is that our "Smart" Objects are going to become smarter than us! Have you ever seen Terminator? I would not want to live in a world where the "Smart" Objects we invent rule or control us. I think we need to at the same time be aware of the warning signs put out by Hollywood.
ReplyDelete