Evan Cooper
Comm 240
Blog Assignment
Comm 240-Commerce
I really feel that the most important aspect of technology changing our lives is going to take place in the commerce market. This aspect of technology is really involved in all of the other aspects, such as the internet, social networking, cable, or even mobile technology. From what I have learned in class, and just from what I see on a regular daily basis, commerce is being changed more than any thing else based on our advances in knowledge and science.
First, there is the advances that have been made with the online auctioning sites such as eBay. This has become a staple of our generation and how we purchase things. Not only the auctioning, but just the online purchasing in general is something that has taken the world by storm. Cheaper prices, less hassle, more options, overall it is just better. Instant access is really the big winner in the “E-Commerce” game though. The revenue and and earnings coming from Netflix as opposed to Blockbuster are excellent comparison tools, as seen in our Lecture 11-Commerce notes. Just think about the possibilities with remote purchasing, you may never have to leave your house in the future, which is positive and negative, depending how you look at the situation. We truly could see the end of retail stores, and have only online shops in the not so distant future, so be prepared.
Another technology changing commerce is the idea of Telepresence. Telepresence is defined as, according to lecture 11, “Using audio/video conferencing components (across 2 or more locations) to create an immersive communication experience that simulates as in-person encounter.” So in shorter terms, it is using the technology of the internet to hold video conferences, live, from different locations. This is huge for the planning and creation processes of companies that are global. Instant access to different locations, between different regions, with different reps, will save the company millions in travel, and also time will no longer be an issue. I could see this being the only way large corporations will be communicating in the future. This technology is also being implemented into the non business world with Skype and other video conversation services. Apple is also adding the app “FaceTime” into their products, which allows mobile video conversations. I think this technology will be huge in the future and all the major cell phone makers are going to have their own versions. With the speed in which the cell phone caught on, which the cell phone is, “the fastest diffusing communication technology on the planet-ever” (Campbell), I wouldn't be surprised if everyone is staring into their phones even more than before.
There are many other aspects that are going to change in the commerce field due to technological advances, and it really is impossible to judge what may happen in the future. All that is certain is that the way we operate and do business will be forever evolving, and we may not know where it will go. Let us hope it all works out, and keeps getting better. That's really all we can ask for.
-Citation-
Campbell, S. W.,, & Kwak, N. (2011). Mobile communication and civil society: Linking patterns and places of use to engagement with others in public. Human Communication Research, 37(2), 207-222. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.2010.01399.x
