Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Say, are we overly reliant on technology?

Technology is somewhat we claim everything to be “smart” these days. If the digital structure crashes down, even temporarily, those who attached to smart tools will be left looking unintelligent. As what Chatfield (2013) said that “people all bear the risks of an uncritical approach to smart living: of a machine-woven social  fabric that might, at the push of a button or the snipping of a cable, unravel entirely” Any form of technology that comes to a break down, even for a short while, can cause huge disturbance to our daily life. Technology is indeed a great assistant to humans, bringing much convenience to us. Technology keeps chasing us with time. It is as if a market of competition between companies to develop better products and services. 

One of the example of the latest technology is Mobile Payment:



Samsung Pay is the latest mobile payment that joins in with Apple and Google to compete in the market of mobile payment system that makes paying things with smartphone even easier! Samsung Pay is an advance version, where it has a magnetic transmission technology that allows phones to be used as credit card, which enables much more merchants to accept mobile payments (Villapaz, 2015). Yes, you can purchase anything anywhere. Now, think of what happens if the phone is lost or battery dies. Besides, it pushes society to purchase new gadgets for such application as it works only in the latest smartphones such as Samsung S6 and Samsung S6 Edge (Samsung Pay), Iphone 6 and Iphone 6plus (Apple Pay). It is too convenient that people misuse it, causing overspendings. As much as it disturbs when it involves money, people are all exposed to the risk of being hacked into their mobile payment system. In a blink of eye, the number in your account can just change from millions to cents!

"Anick Jesdanum, a New York based AP reporter, tried living a week without cash or traditional credit cards, using only mobile payments transacted with his mobile phone. He found many places did accept mobile payments, but transactions were not always successful. Many merchants were not yet ready to accept the new form of payment. Jesdanum ended up borrowing cash to eat or walking home when he could not refill his Metrocard." 
-CBSNews (2014).

Sometimes, instead of bringing convenient, technology becomes the troublemaker. People do not realize the impacts in long run. How excellent or poor for the growth of technology towards human-mentally, physically even emotionally. It is undeniable that life is definitely much better with technology yet it should not take over humanity. Humans should be able to have self control and think wisely in handling technology. Never allows technology to control you.

References:

CBSNews. (November 11, 2014). Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mobile-payments-pros-and-cons-of-mobile-wallet-systems/

Chatfield, T. (2013). When smart is not so smart. In BBC. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130201-when-smart-is-not-so-smart


Villapaz, L. (March 02, 2015). Samsung Pay. Vs Apple Pay. Vs. Google Wallet: Why Magnetic Tech Gives Samsung An Advantage?. In International Business Times. Retrieved from http://www.ibtimes.com/samsung-pay-vs-apple-pay-vs-google-wallet-why-magnetic-tech-gives-samsung-advantage-1833158