I found Dr. Miller's discussion about innovative technology very interesting this past week. The example of the AT&T/retail store coupon scanner was definitely an intriguing. However, I cannot share this optimistic view in regards to new technology. It is my opinion that almost every "good idea" is actually a "bad idea" in the making.
What do I mean by this? I mean that that despite good intentions this idea will inevitably be used in horrible ways unintended by the original creators. Take for example email database marketing. This was once a cost effective way to send a message to thousands; even millions of clients in the blink of an eye. Truly this would usher in a new age of marketing. Not really. This idea is now the foundation for one of mankind's greatest rivals: the spam email.
So, in the art of the pessimistic view point, allow me to predict the future abuse of the great idea from AT&T. Imagine that standing in front of a display for more than 10 seconds will result in a coupon being sent to your phone. Now imagine that some marketers determine that it would be more effective to send a message after only 8 seconds. Then 5. Then 2. Now you are afraid to become stationary in a grocery store for fear of an onslaught of coupon messages. Frantically you run through the isles throwing items into your cart reminiscent of "Super Market Sweeps" game shows.
Another potential 'End of Days' scenario? Innovators develop scanners that detect customers within 500 feet. Now you don't even have to be in an isle or even in a store. You could be on I-20 and pass by a line of fast-food chains. Or even worse... a Wal-Mart. Suddenly your phone is assaulted with a blitz of 200,000 coupon messages.
Maybe I am just too pessimistic and make too much out of nothing. Maybe I am the next Miss. Cleo television psychic and have correctly predicted the future. Maybe I am bat#$@* crazy. Regardless of your opinion on the issue of my mental competence, you must agree that even the best intention innovative technology is guaranteed to be abused.
3 comments:
I tend to agree. I believe that individuals have privacy rights and while it may seem that these rights are not being violated in the beginning soon these limits will be pushed further until they do violate privacy rights. In addition, this information could be put into the wrong hands. Therefore, we really need to think about issues that might arise when new technology is developed.
I think information is very important and can be very useful if they are used in an appropriate way. For instance, if companies can offer services similar to caller ID to block information that an individual does not want, the system may work.
A side note: This may be an opportune time to invest in anti-spam cell phone software developers.
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