With the overall topic about the internet and its use these days, there is a lot to talk about, whether the positive outcomes or the negative. In the beginning of Baym’s reading, she talks about the dismay many have had about the advancement of technology and how it has ultimately been a disfavor for humans. In one way, it has created amazing advancements and opportunities for humans. But when will it go too far?

There have been many who have publicly warned about the negatives of the advancement of technology and one is Stephen Hawking. He has stated previously that he believes artificial intelligence could end mankind (read BBC News article here). Of course, Hawking himself relies on AI, so there is a question on when AI could go too far? To what point could it end mankind? He himself admits to his use of AI, but feels like one day it could develop quicker than human beings, and therefore “take off on its own.”

Could this be possible? In only the past 5 years technology has developed very quickly. In this NPR article, “Psst! Wearable Devices Could Make Big Tech Leaps, Into Your Ear,” the author talks about this “wearable technology” that feeds whatever information you need into your ear. The example they use is someone encountering a colleague whom you do not remember, therefore you say the colleague’s name, and the device in your ear does a really quick online search and gives you information on them.

This reminds me of a Doctor Who episode where everyone wears similar “wearable technology” and are then controlled via the technology by Cybermen. Obviously this is a sci-fi show, but the concept is similar. This was already a concept thought about in 2006, when the episode aired.

We don’t know where technology is going, but it is good to be conscious about how it is affecting our daily lives. We have become so reliant on our phones, laptops, and television, that we will keep adapting to newer technology, even if it might seem ridiculous.