Will Google Glass take off?
Technology is awesome. Let's just start with that. Some of the stuff we have is insanely cool, and we're progressing at such a rate that things are just going to get cooler and cooler.
Enter Google Glass.
I first saw the introductory video to Google Glass a couple of weeks ago (if you haven't seen it, go search it up, it's pretty easy to find) and thought it was incredible. I suppose I'm still a kid when it comes to things like this, I love everything which looks new and science fictiony. And, if nothing else, this is new and science fictiony.
The main idea of Google seems to be that information and computers should be everywhere, a constant network linking everyone and everything. Apple too seem to be following this line of thinking through the 'iWatch'. What's more, we shouldn't even have to use our hands, it should just be a constant stream of information. Brilliant. The future.
Sort of. I do love the look of this, but there are always going to be teething problems. Google seems to be asking everyone to suddenly start wearing glasses, redesigning, to an extent, fashion. It's not something which can discretely be used in a pocket, it's asking people to openly declare they've got these glasses, in a world where maybe not many people will have at first. This is going to be a slow change for everyone to get their heads around, people having to accept a change in culture where everyone wearing glasses is the future. Already, a bar in Seattle has banned the glasses- scared it might "creep out" some customers.
So already there's the possibility it might not catch on. Now, what if it does? If everyone is always connected to the internet, they have all that knowledge without even needing to move. What does that do to some industries? Translators may become redundant, if these glasses can do it for them. Why would experts be needed when all the information is right there in front of you? You can do everything yourself. Perfect for you, less good for the people who rely on you not knowing all of this. If information becomes a constant stream, do we even need to learn anything?
But that argument could be used against the internet itself, and it seems okay so far. So let's look at the problems the internet has. As mentioned in my previous article ('World War 3 is already happening.' Very well written. I advise you all to read), hacking is a problem. Now, I'm not going to lie, I don't fully understand everything about it, but it doesn't sound implausible to suggest that this network can be hacked. The more faith and reliance put into technology, the more tempting the opportunity to exploit it, and the more damaging that can be for us.
Then there's the simple practical problems of glasses. Everybody loses glasses. People drop glasses, break glasses, glasses fall off, etc. Is this truly a practical way to give us the information we apparently desire? Maybe, maybe not, we'll have to see how it works when it's released. I personally am extremely excited, even if I know I'll never own it, not only because it looks awesome, but because it's a step into the sci-fi future I've always thought was cool but never truly believed in. Whether it's a good thing is something completely different, we'll just have to wait and see.
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Leo Thorncroft writing for The Idle Scribe
Enter Google Glass.
I first saw the introductory video to Google Glass a couple of weeks ago (if you haven't seen it, go search it up, it's pretty easy to find) and thought it was incredible. I suppose I'm still a kid when it comes to things like this, I love everything which looks new and science fictiony. And, if nothing else, this is new and science fictiony.
The main idea of Google seems to be that information and computers should be everywhere, a constant network linking everyone and everything. Apple too seem to be following this line of thinking through the 'iWatch'. What's more, we shouldn't even have to use our hands, it should just be a constant stream of information. Brilliant. The future.
Sort of. I do love the look of this, but there are always going to be teething problems. Google seems to be asking everyone to suddenly start wearing glasses, redesigning, to an extent, fashion. It's not something which can discretely be used in a pocket, it's asking people to openly declare they've got these glasses, in a world where maybe not many people will have at first. This is going to be a slow change for everyone to get their heads around, people having to accept a change in culture where everyone wearing glasses is the future. Already, a bar in Seattle has banned the glasses- scared it might "creep out" some customers.
So already there's the possibility it might not catch on. Now, what if it does? If everyone is always connected to the internet, they have all that knowledge without even needing to move. What does that do to some industries? Translators may become redundant, if these glasses can do it for them. Why would experts be needed when all the information is right there in front of you? You can do everything yourself. Perfect for you, less good for the people who rely on you not knowing all of this. If information becomes a constant stream, do we even need to learn anything?
But that argument could be used against the internet itself, and it seems okay so far. So let's look at the problems the internet has. As mentioned in my previous article ('World War 3 is already happening.' Very well written. I advise you all to read), hacking is a problem. Now, I'm not going to lie, I don't fully understand everything about it, but it doesn't sound implausible to suggest that this network can be hacked. The more faith and reliance put into technology, the more tempting the opportunity to exploit it, and the more damaging that can be for us.
Then there's the simple practical problems of glasses. Everybody loses glasses. People drop glasses, break glasses, glasses fall off, etc. Is this truly a practical way to give us the information we apparently desire? Maybe, maybe not, we'll have to see how it works when it's released. I personally am extremely excited, even if I know I'll never own it, not only because it looks awesome, but because it's a step into the sci-fi future I've always thought was cool but never truly believed in. Whether it's a good thing is something completely different, we'll just have to wait and see.
----------------------------------------------------------
Leo Thorncroft writing for The Idle Scribe