Technology Landscape - Essay Example

CPI 2: Technology Landscape Name of Student Student Number Institution Course Code Name of Instructor Date of Submission Background The Technology Industry Survey 2014 presents various issues and concerns pertaining to technology growth and development. Penny, Hellgren and Basford (2012), the aspect of technology advancement and the embracing of the same by professionals have projected innovation and job satisfaction to great perspectives. The various issues emerging in the technology industry and innovations are on-going trying to come up with extensive solutions to uncertainties experienced by many experts in the current global dispensation. According to Taylor (2012), technology in the 21st century is a reality and extensive in every aspect of life. The embracing of technology has been extensive with diverse experts coming in every field incorporating their conceptual phenomenon with technology to solve complex problems (World Economic Forum 2011). This case study evaluates the Technology Industry Survey 2014 to highlight two major issues determined for evaluation in this study. The first issue pertains to; ‘is email the opiate of the digital masses?’ and the second regards ‘Women in the media: gender fatigue?’ The two issues arising from the technology Industry Survey 2014 will be evaluated extensively and supported with diverse information pertaining to the same. The pace of technological advancement has been profound in the recent past beyond the experiences of many. Amid the fact that experts in the technology sector are attributed to the prevailing change, a new paradigm of online morality and governance has been created with many uncertainties being a reality (Technology Strategy Board 2012). Even the laymen on matters of technology growth and its complexity have found extensive solace and efficiency with technology on matters of communication, and effectively tackling their tasks whether personal or official. This is supported by Browne, Geiger and Gutnecht (2012) who indicate that technology advancement is still at the helm of growth, and more innovations are bound to come with time creating certain solutions to prevailing problems in the world. Thus, with the two identified issues, technology will come out as an aspect in the era of globalization aimed at ensuring extensive growth and advancement on matters of information sharing and security (Polinetsky and Tene 2013). Is Email the Opiate of the Digital Masses? Electronic mails have become the common mode of communication and sharing information in the current digitalized world. The frequency of checking mails may differ among persons due to the nature of their work with technology professionals who check their emails regularly being the most obsessed individuals with internet as they are more technological savvy (Browne, Geiger and Gutnecht 2013). Nevertheless, majority professionals have taken emails as the modus operandi of getting official and personal information. Extensive data have come up with emergence of technology with the email platform being utilized as the means of sharing information to specific people rather than the social options where data is shared with a number of persons or with the public (Du Rausa, et al. 2011). The technical growth in data handling and sharing is a clear indication of quality, and efficiency in information dissemination and retrieval. Just like opiate in the drug conglomeration, Taylor (2012) states that emails have emerged as the solution to people’s communication, dissemination and sharing of crucial data; whether as technical findings, official information, raising concerns or even having innovative discussions. Technology realization comes out as a new trend currently among every digital individual (Atkinson, Castro and Ezell, 2009). Emails have turned out to the opiate of masses in respect to technical communication giving the much desired privacy and safety of information shared. In respect to Shapiro and Hassett (2012) reflective analysis, the addictive aspect of technology in this context goes beyond the psychological dependence of individuals. It is the fundamental nature behind the ever desirous innovative characteristic that is depicted by technology professionals. Through email communications, individual share ideas and concepts which they perceive are to be kept within their circles of friends, acquaintances or colleagues (Katz and Koutroumpis 2012). Nevertheless, there are other channels and platforms of technology that also stand out as major contributors towards information sharing with social media coming out as a perfect general example. This is in respect to sharing information not just among professionals known to an individual, but also to people beyond their area of specialization (Friedrich, et al. 2011). There are indications that technology interaction triggers a similar neurochemical reaction in form of dopamine, just like in the case of drugs, gambling, and sex or alcohol intake (Hirschhorn 2013). Continuous use of electronic gadgets like blackberries, smartphones, and tablets among others that will notify the receiving of a new email can result to the individual being caught in a vicious cycle of dopamine stimulation, as well as deprivation (Taylor 2012. The allure for technology and sharing of information is very tempting and many technology professionals will not resist the urge to check their mails even at the awkward of times and places. The ‘Technology Industry survey’ indicates that digital persons will check their mails while eating, watching TV, while taking a bath, in a meeting or even while engaging in a conversation. The technology survey shows that more 50% of the participants will check their mails while in a meeting, more than 30% while in the toilets and 20% during a conversation (Mortimer Spinks and Weekly Computer 2014). This shows the extent of obsession to information retrieval via emails use among the tech professionals. The email obsession bug is not just among the technology professionals, but also among the vast digitalized humanity. Albeit majority are glued to social media platforms, it is evident that Americans spend five hours on average within a day online with the young people taking as much as 7.5 hours glued on a screen (Hirschhorn 2013). This clearly shows the magnitude of technology use among people resulting to extensive opportunities within technology of acquiring and creating massive and meaningful experiences. The urge is not really an addiction, but rather a deep desire to keep update, and not miss any information being relayed or shared by fellow technologists or colleagues via their email accounts (Goldstein 2012). The persistent use of internet is a clear indicator of how email obsession among the digital workers has been profound. A survey carried out in 2010 indicated that 61% of Americans (which was perceived higher among the youths) were addicted to the usage of internet (Hirschhorn 2013). Generally, the term addicted has been utilized to indicate the intact relationship existing between an individual and technology. The allure of utilizing technology to share data among tech professionals is stronger and irresistible than the social vices in life like alcohol, drugs abuse or even sleeping (Srinivas 2014). Emailing allows the instantaneous access to private information from professionals and friends than it was before technological advancement. With more advancement, it is expected that the obsession with technology and data sharing among digital professionals will be much higher (Adolph 2011). Nevertheless, the greater interest among these experts is the sharing of great ideas to solve the prevailing uncertainties and consequently trigger more ideas for greater innovations. Thus, amid the fact that network interactions are growing with emergence of social media platforms, emails remains a great tool of information sharing among professionals and the addiction is perceived to remain like a professional hobby. Women in the Media: Gender Fatigue Women have evolved in the professional settings backed by various legislations and recognitions from many companies espoused in the fact that gender and diversity is an aspect in life they are ought to achieve (Hu 2014). Gender fatigue is termed as the energy deprivation to acknowledge and compete with discrimination against gender, involving the perception of lacking interest to freshly tackle an issue which is no longer seen as a prevailing problem (Kelan 2010; Merriman 2010). Generally, it is the phenomenon of individuals lacking the capability to create the workplace continuously, in gender neutral settings in spite of the reality that existence of discrimination is a reality (Akubue 2001). The Technology Industry Survey 2014 is of the opinion that majority of perspectives perceive the disproportionate of gender balance within the technology sector can be attributed to gender fatigue. Mortimer Spinks indicates that the amount of coverage does not qualify as the main issue, but rather the content (Mortimer Spinks and Weekly Computer 2014). The male gender is getting extensive coverage as the dominants with a reality that women are getting it tough to progress, which makes them shy away from technology; thus pushing the imbalance to a higher level. Amid the fact that gender disparity and discrimination has continuously remained a feature in the working environment depicting itself in diverse contexts, gender research within organizations show that workplaces are constructed on the basis of being gender neutral (Kirsti 2012). There has been no denial on the reality of gender discrimination, with workers acknowledging its existence but, create it as unitary occurrences in the past placing the onus on women to work out strategies to overcome the hindrances (European Commission 2010). In context, amid the fact that measures are put in place to ensure gender disparity is diminished, as well as discrimination leveled, women bear the greater responsibility within the technology industry of making their worth known. Through innovation and participation, their concepts will come out clearly, speak on their behalf, and be analyzed professionally alongside their male colleagues (Blackburn, Racko and Jarman 2009). Innovation in technology is the core thing for every professional (Lanier 2010). Sharing and coming up with probable solutions to the uncertainties perceived within their area of specialization is a reality with technology professionals. Amid the fact that considerable women are taking up technology courses in the institutions of higher learning, there is no much to show and reflect increasing number of women in the tech professional world (Weber, 2004; Welty and Puck 2001). With the historically disproportionate participation of the male gender within the industrial arts and education technology, there is a tendency of the male oriented perspectives and interests to saturate the technology industry. The set standards in respect to technological literacy stand for the permeation of a positive paradigm shift in respect to addressing this prevailing aspect in the technology sector (Weber and Custer 2005). With the provision of diverse ways to come up with curriculum development aimed at highlighting the issues of both genders, it is paramount that gender disparity becomes a thing of the past (Weber 2004). Nevertheless, there is need for women to be encouraged to participate in innovation and technology and actively compete with their male counterparts to find relevance, as well as avert the culture of male domination. The technology survey highlights the fact that coverage on women in the technology industry is down. With a 46% of the participants stating that the coverage is not enough and 39% opting for about right coverage; only a mere 15% were of the opinion that coverage is too much (Mortimer Spinks and Weekly Computers 2014). The corporate sector has made extra efforts to counter gender bias, making appointments of their officers with diversity and having diverse programs perceived by many within working environments as aimed at enhancing the aspects of equality and diversity. In spite of this, Kelan (2010) states that gender discrimination is still a reality happening underneath the surface, and in a more subtle situation. On the same note, most women resolve to blame themselves at the workplace for non-inclusion, rather that struggling harder to prove their capabilities whenever they are sidelined. With private innovations, women can create a sense of awareness that they are equal for the task with fellow male counterparts and compete equally for recognition (Blackburn and Jarman 2006). Gender disparities have been defended extensively with most prevalent ones claiming gender bias and sexism within the technology industry as being based on skills and the most skilled and ones having best ideas rising to the top (Tomaskovic-Devey 2006). In respect to this logic, most of the people having high merit just happen to be men bringing the idea of gender equity into focus. The developed world and the developing world alike face this dilemma in equal measures (Akubue 2001). However, women in the developed world seem to access more technical awareness and how to venture into innovation and bring up their ideas for scrutiny. Nevertheless, majority of them are still grappling with the fear of the unknown and disdain on upcoming matters pertaining to technology (Polinetsky and Tene 2013). The disparity along gender lines is observed even with youngsters as they interact with technology. In the United States, 94% of girls are participating in video games compared to 99% of boys (Adolph 2011; Goldstein 2012). However, in respect to curiosity of the technical aspect behind the play games, boys are at the forefront to tinker with codes aiming to modify the game results. Generally, boys are most likely to explore the simple programming aspect of the games, unlike young girls, and in case of one, they lack parents at home to encourage them or even access the hardware they need to tackle their curiosity (Charles, 2000). Thus, their ideas are surprised by lack of awareness, interaction or source of motivation. These are clear concepts within innovation and technology that promote skills development and consequently enhance professional growth. Professions in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) sector have tripled in the past two decades compared to non-STEM fields with the former being more secure and flexible in their jobs (Shapiro and Hassett 2012). Women working in the technology sector have been documented to earn considerably higher than others. On the same note, the wage gap between genders is minimal within STEM fields giving a 14% difference in comparison to 21% among men’s and women’s earning powers in other professional fields (Technology Strategy Board 2012). Thus, women and media coverage still has a long way to go achieve extensive scope and promote their might and capacity in the technology industry. Conclusion In conclusion, technology growth presents a professional landscape with an interesting paradigm shift in respect to innovation and data sharing. Amid the various issues addressed by technology Survey 2014, this case study evaluated two critical issues pertaining to information and gender disparity. The issues addressed were whether emails have become the opiate of the digital masses and the second regards to women in the media on the context of gender fatigue. The latter is one issue that has been under scrutiny within all sectors with respect to gender equality and equity on professional terms and access. With increased dependence upon internet for communication among professionals and tech people, emails are projected to remain being greater addiction coupled with other platforms of interactions. These platforms allow for privacy to some extent and give the capacity to interact and exchange ideas with professionals from any global corner. The aspect of gender disparity in respect to technology is an ongoing and critical feature that requires imperative measures to ensure women participation in data sharing, innovation and technological training is improved. Without women facing this predicament head on, gender disparity will continue to be evidenced in the technology industry and male domination culture continued. Reference List Adolph, M., 2011. Trends in video Games and Gaming, ITU-T Technology Watch Report, September, 2011. 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