2012 and beyond in Tech News
I realize this post is a day late but I had to write something for Tech Thursday even though it's Friday. So while searching for interesting topics I found an article on Mashable with crazy predictions for 2012. I laughed at a few of the predictions but a couple of them really made me think,
"Could this really happen?"
Like anything in our ever changing world, anything CAN happen. The article from Mashable contains 6 crazy predictions for 2012 and although I will not go through all of them, I will touch on the ones that peaked my interest the most. The first prediction involves SOPA and the Internet. If you do not know what SOPA is you need to educate yourself and Google it. In short though, SOPA stands for "Stop Online Piracy Act". It may sound great to some but in all honesty it's nothing but bad news. I posted on it a few weeks ago and you can read it by clicking here. The politically driven folks are trying to pawn this bill off as a way to protect creativity and ones property but in a sense it does just the opposite in reference to creativity. If this bill were to pass we would be screwed. The way we use the Internet would literally change over night and free thinking creativity, which is supposed to be protected by this bill, would be destroyed and taken away from us. To give you an idea of what it would be like I want you to think about how you use Facebook. You log on, see what your friends are doing and a song pops in your head. You go to YouTube, find the video and post it on Facebook for all to see. Pretty normal right? Well if SOPA passes a few things could happen with the previous scenario. If you posted the video on Facebook and the owner felt that it was harming their best interest a complaint could be filed against you. It would be removed, you would probably pay a fine and SOPA wins. The scenario could very well happen but I think money also plays a factor here. Facebook is worth billions so it's possible that the law would only fall on smaller fish that are on their way up. It's almost like a drug dealer who has made a deal with the law. They protect each other and if smaller dealers come into play they tell the law and the law takes them out in order to protect the bigger player.
So after my somewhat short explanation, here's prediction #3 from Mashable's, "6 Crazy Tech Predictions for 2012".
"Myopic congressman and a distracted president take the Stop Online Piracy Act and pass it into law. Designed, at least according to the bill, “To promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property, and for other purposes,” SOPA has an almost unprecedented chilling effect on the web. Thousands of U.S. sites shut down, other larger ones continue, but are now full of boring pap that could never be misconstrued as content piracy.
Content creators of all stripes are so unsure of what will be labeled piracy they struggle to create anything. By the end of 2012, however, an underground Internet (The UnderWebs) arises. It’s full of unfettered communication and content, and slowly but surely, millions of web surfers around the world begin using it instead of the government-policed Internet — a platform that dies a sad, quiet death in 2018."
How crazy is that prediction? It almost gives off a Demolition Man vibe with "The UnderWebs" idea. It's definitely crazy to think but it's a possible scenario that we will all have to face if the bill is passed.
The next predication involves Honda's Asimo robot. Have you ever heard of this? Does it ring a bell? It's rather amazing what the people over at Honda have been doing in the robotic humanoid department. Asimo is a robot that is designed to help accomplish things around the house for the elderly, disabled, and others. It can do many things and as years pass, Honda's creation continues to evolve. I first saw a commercial for Asimo back in 2003. I believe it was a Super Bowl spot and it only aired once. The commercial showed Asimo walking around the house but I believe it only showed its feet. It then switches to a shot of a garage. As the door opens it reveals a small robot. A paper boy passes by and throws a newspaper that lands in the driveway. Asimo walks out towards it, picks it up, and waves. I was floored when I saw this. I thought it was the greatest thing and I immediately began to research Honda's Asimo. After reading what it could do I thought of the robot maid from The Jetsons. If Honda can accomplish all of their goals involving Asimo, I think it could make a difference in the lives of those who need constant care.
With that said, here's prediction #6 from Mashable.
"Japanese auto manufacturer Honda shocks the world by unveiling a fully operational, $1,999 Honda Asimo Home Helper Robot. Like the Asimo we’ve seen in product demonstrations and on YouTube, “Home Asimo” can walk, run, jump, make coffee and sandwiches and, as we soon learn, clean toilets. Honda sells a stunning half million units before August, 2012. The most startling news, though, comes when one Home Honda robot in Dearborn, Michigan turns on its family’s computer and signs itself up for Twitter and Facebook. By December, more than 300,000 of the robots have been destroyed or returned."
This prediction is funny but with that much artificial intelligence it could possibly happen. Asimo could very well join forces with Xbox's Kinect and rule the world for all we know. Google is using facial recognition on Google+ and our tech dreams and fantasies continue to come true. 2012 is definitely going to be a year where tech goes beyond the scope of imagination so look out. Make sure to check out Jabber Log for more Tech News and other fun topics. You can also follow us on Twitter at @JabberLog and make sure to check out Mashable for everything social and tech media.
Source: "6 Crazy Tech Predictions for 2012"
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