How were innovations born? Why is there new innovation? What are the drivers of emerging technologies? In this session of TWC, we discussed on the topic, “Emerging and Future Technologies,” which addressed the trend of emerging technologies and how are they come about in shaping the future of the world. This session mostly talked about out-of-the-world ideas or concepts that might not have existed in our lives, yet they might be crucial or disruptive if they are realized in the future. In addition, we also explored about the reasons behind R&D of emerging technologies, which might not produce practical product, yet those researches are still largely being conducted in the market.
As usual, there were several quotes of famous people given on each session of TWC. For this session, we started with George Bernard Shaw’s quotes, “You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’” This quote gave me inspiration on the usual reaction of human when they encountered new concept that are not yet feasible and keep questioning on its feasibility and practicality, yet forgot to imagine the abundance of possibilities that could be explored as supporting technologies become more sophisticated throughout the time. The video of “claytronics” that was used to explain such occurrence was also a new line of ideas that are not yet possible, but they are not totally impossible as the science of nanotechnology continues to develop breakthroughs in the realm of science and technology of microscopic element that might realize such concept in the future. If every individual begins to doubt on every single emerging idea, we would have not had new inventions being produced in the future.
For this particular matter, I was being inspired by the professor, especially during the discussion about “Google glass” when some of the class members, including myself, “over-questioned” about the practicality of google glass, but we did not realize the fact that it is still a prototype. Consquently, when I reflected on this matter, most of us, as skeptic humans, also questioned about the practicality of tablet when it was first launched by Microsoft and subsequently popularized by Apple’s iPad. The benefit of such technology might not be obvious in the introductory stage, but as marketing efforts and more upgrades are being done, those technologies will eventually become major disruptive innovation to human’s life. Therefore, we should always give more chances to emerging ideas and technologies, and talk about how to make it feasible instead of questioning whether it is feasible or not.
As such, imagination is extremely important in the heart of invention, where possibilities are not limited by anything, but imagination. We might not have “science-fiction” level of scientific knowledge or technologies, but we must not forget about limitless possibilities that can be brought by the power of imagination! The things that struck me the most is when I watched the video about “plastic technology” and the speaker could actually visualize the timeline of breakthrough in plastic technology from being a unique innovation to being a disruptive innovation that could even bring the internet to our contact lenses. Therefore, it is important to have imagination in the process of receiving and perceiving about the possibilities of new ideas and innovation.
Although imagination is important, we should not become a crazy imaginer that forgets about balancing imagination with current feasible technology, as stated in the discussion about the drivers of development of emerging and future technologies. When imagination is combined with technological know-how, new innovation will surface, but there should always be certain research framework to follow when it comes to translating imagination into reality. Probably, the best way to realize imagination is through the confluence of “four smarts”, where there are the convergence of smart people, ideas, money, and partnership in the process of converting ideas into real product. On the other hand, emerging technologies should also be driven by market opportunity and need, as shown by the marketing ability of Steve Jobs, in introducing the Apple’s iPad, as compared to Bill Gates when he pioneered the invention of tablet. Clearly, Steve Jobs, as an innovator, could align the technical specification of new technology with practical market demand, thus creating the overall practicality/survivability of emerging technologies in the market.
All in all, we should be reminded that “if you can imagine it, you can make it happen.” This quote is totally logical in terms of perceiving the boundary of emerging of technologies. However, I would like to add on the point that we should also align imagination with practical market needs, so that new technology will not just be another surprising element of life that holds no significant impact in improving the life of mankind. Thus, we could actually imagine a new line of innovation; as well as sustain it in the long run to benefit the overall quality of human’s life.
Overall, I grade this session for 9/10 for emphasizing the importance of imagination in the process of creating innovation for our lives.
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