Technology solves problems, but society frequently disagrees on whether a given solution is actually an improvement.
We can consider differences in the opinions of older vs younger generations or between different cultural backgrounds but, for the most part, if a large enough group wants a new technology then it will be successfully adopted.
The real issue arises when the freedom to adopt a technology quietly turns into mandatory use and forced behavioral change.
The Disappearing Fallback
Like all of us over 40, I’ve observed each generation of technology confuse consecutive generations of people for my entire life. But there is a huge difference in recent years. In the past, if say a DVD player confused an elderly person they could always choose to avoid it and return to a familiar path like an old VHS player or terrestrial television. Even earlier, if digital watches were a step too far, analog watches were still available of course.
The difference today is the sheer scale of adoption and its entanglement with corporate efficiency.
The pace has changed, what used to be a steady progression is now relentless acceleration.
Where it once was optional to enjoy the convenience of a smart phone it is now mandatory. For most they don’t see this as a hardship and enjoy many, if not all, aspects of having a phone. For others it’s a constant battle to keep-up or be left behind.
Do younger, more tech-literate generations have the right to impose these shifts on those who aren’t? Because that is precisely what is happening.
Every meeting where a 30-something project manager decides “they’ll have to use the app for that” or “we’re closing that counter, it’s now online-only” … represents a small piece of forced societal change. Even governments are beginning to push for 100% smart phone usage within the population, rolling out policies that require them.
This acceleration we see is exponential, meaning the rate of change is faster and faster.
Where now we are causing problems for people in their 60s, 70s and 80s, we soon will be isolating and disenfranchising people in their 40s, 50s and 60s.
Tomorrow’s Excluded Generation
Where use of AI is now optional, society will slowly begin to force usage upon people who may not want to open their life up, including their personal information, to big tech firms. The bulk of people who ignore the risks for an easier life will be the drivers for change.
There is a scenario where society will expect to connect all kinds of services and personal data feeds together and having AI monitor the complexities that arise, will provide convenience to many and dread to many more.
Gradually, the expectation to navigate life this way will be imposed on everyone, simply because all analog alternatives have been stripped from the menu.
I’m hopeful that society begins to wake up and mature with regards to technology. My blog, ethos and the Orbital Alchemists initiative is all about this critical time in history.