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The Future of Technology
by Tom Standage (Editor)
From the industrial revolution and the railway boom, through electrification, mass production, and into the digital era, a familiar cycle has repeated itself. Each breakthrough begins with a burst of innovation and speculation, followed by a collapse, and then gives way to a more stable phase where the technology is fully integrated and widely used.
This volume of surveys and essays from The Economist explores the progress technology has made so far and where it may be headed in the coming years.
Part One
The first section addresses the “greying” (or maturation) of IT, the rising significance of security, the expansion of outsourcing, and the difficulties of increasing complexity. These concerns are centered more on applying technology effectively rather than creating brand-new innovations.
Part Two
The second part highlights the move from enterprise computing to consumer-driven technology. Breakthroughs now often appear first in consumer products like mobile devices. Topics include the mobile phone’s transformation into a “digital Swiss Army knife,” the dominance of digital cameras over traditional film, the explosive growth of the gaming sector and its ties to mainstream entertainment, as well as the cultural effects of text messaging, Wi-Fi, and camera-enabled phones.
Part Three
The final section looks at which fields could spark the next wave of technological upheaval. The focus is placed on biotechnology, renewable energy, and nanotechnology as the potential drivers of future disruption.
About the Author
Tom Standage serves as technology editor at The Economist and is the author of several well-regarded works, including The Victorian Internet, The Mechanical Turk, and The Neptune File.
Product details
Publisher : Bloomberg Press (August 1, 2005)
Language : English
