Week 5

Brief Summary:

Today, we have discussed about Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and how this might bring about world change. ICT is actually a very broad topic, and covers aspects such as mass media, the internet, gaming, wireless technologies, interactive technologies, information systems and cloud computing.

ICT is widely regarded as a step in a positive direction as it not only increases productivity, but could also be the solution to solve poverty, lack of education and gender inequality in countries. However, along with these benefits, it could also bring about security concerns where there is espionage of intellectual property, the invasion of privacy, identity theft and a possible exposure to corrupting influences such as pornography. This great leap forward towards a knowledge-based society, like the use of any other technology, can be either good or bad depending on how we use it.

Interesting Ideas:

I believe that the solution to many of life's problems is knowledge and education. With knowledge, many of life's greatest problems such as poverty, child mortality and gender inequality can be solved. Furthermore with the advancement of ICTs, knowledge is only a fingertip away from all of us as we can access countless sources of information with the use of the internet. With India and many developing countries looking to make ICTs readily available for it's people, I do foresee a very promising future the whole of mankind.

However, the greatest problem I see with ICT is that its greatest strength of connecting people together from all around the world, can always be it's greatest weakness. One wrong or insensitive comment on a medium of ICT is able to form ripples all over the world. One example would be when Danish newspapers published cartoons regarding religion causing massive uproar among many people. Sensitive comments placed on blogs are also open to rebuke by online citizens. It can be seen that the inappropriate use of ICTs could actually pose to be more of a problem then the good it serves (ps. I won't be going into freedom of speech).

Key Takeaway Messages:

I believe that ICT would be a major factor is providing solutions to some of the major problems we face today as it provides us with an endless flow of information. However, it is important to note that we are to be careful in how we use the different mediums of ICT as inappropriate actions could bring about massive consequences now that the world is so connected.

Furthermore, the flow of information increasingly changing from what used to be a "one to many" system, to one now where individuals are able share information with one another. The information available on the internet might not always be accurate as ideas can now be contributed by individuals instead of going through regulating institutions. Hence, it is important for one to be able to discern between correct and incorrect information on the web.

Issues for discussion:

An issue I thought we could have dwelt-in deeper was the idea about responsibility of the people governing these modes of ICT. As ICTs could greatly influence one's way of thinking, these people play an important role in determining the general mindset of society. Hence, it would be interesting to see what the decision-making process is like in this highly-influential industry.

Ratings:

I would give the overall lesson an 8/10 as it introduced me to many ideas regarding ICT that I had never considered before. The idea of using ICT to alleviate poverty is especially new to me as ICT was traditionally considered as something that was available and widely-used only by developed countries. Furthermore, I feel that the concepts taught during class is very relevant to our current situation where advancements in technology constantly changes our modes of communication.