Week 3- Technology and industrial development & Technology and innovation management

Overview of the lesson


In the first half of the lesson, we covered on Technology and industrial development, and actions that could be taken for them to be sustainable. We were given an overview of how our mindset and abilities have changed from the past. In the beginning, people only had a choice between economy or environment. However today, we have the ability to create a win-win situation for both our economy and environment. Our discussion moved on to talk about different alternative methods we are now using, to create profits for the country, as well as protecting our environment. Policies have been implemented, and many actions such as reusable energy have been taken place.

Second half of the lesson we discussed about the Shahi landscape model for technology assessment.
 

The picture depicts opportunities in the industry. Valley opportunities have low barriers of entry, and has many competitors. One example would probably be the chicken rice stall. Submit opportunities are the direct opposite of valley opportunities. They have high barrier of entry and very few competitors. Cloud opportunities do not have well developed business view, and has keep i view interest. An interesting example would be the bubble tea industry. It moved from the submit to the valleys. However, i few with more creative ideas for bubble tea (cloud opportunities) manage to stand out from the crowd and moved to the submit again.

What i found interesting

What i found most interesting was the video that we have watched called system in crisis. It has clearly shown us the impact of our "buy and throw"mind set, and how we should move from linear to cyclical. Whereby there would be an opportunity for innovation, growth and value creation that would bring about economic growth but no at the expense of the environment. 


Most important take away


Our lifestyle and the rising standard of living is a double edged sword. On the bright side, it has motivated people to continue innovate and invent new things or technologies in order to meet the rising expectations of us. However, increasing amount of new technologies or products have caused people to take things for granted and throw them away as long as they no longer seem appealing or stylish. Not only would this mindset harm our environment like what we saw in the video, but also create more stress to those people creating those products. Linking back to lesson 2, with the happiness index lowered, so will the productivity. Would this cause a decline in the economy? This may seem too far fetch, however, this mindset has got to change, in order for us to protect our environment and to instill a better habit in our future generations. Another alternative would be to invent and come up with new technologies that can allow such spending and throwing habits but at the same time not causing harm to our environment.


How would i like to further this discussion/another topic to discuss


I would like to discuss more in-depth the result of our spending and throwing habits in relations with lesson 2 where we take HDI into consideration. Creating new products -> people buy the products -> more competition for similar products -> forced to come up with something new to keep market shares -> causing stress for those people that have constant datelines to meet to create new things -> production level decreases. 


Rate this session


I would rate this session 8/10. It was really interesting and this topic was something that i could relate to. Not only in my daily life, but it also has slight linkages with what i have studied in geography and economics. 

Week 2- Technology Society Dominance & Technology and Human Development

Overview of the lesson


In lesson 2, we covered on several areas that were broad, but when broken down, they would give us an idea why different societies, companies or organizations have been or still is dominating the arena. During the first half of the lesson, we discussed about the different dimensions of global dominance together with the Shahi Organizational behavior model used to identify innovation leaders and dominant players. A few examples were brought up, Apple was a good example for a rising star, despite being a dominant player in the technology industry, it isn't complacent, but continued to innovate and improve the products. 


In the second half of the lesson, we discussed about technology and human development, covering areas like the Human Development Index and disparity in incomes in the different countries. We looked at a video that showed us how the different stats and countries developed and moved on to be healthier and richer than the rest of the countries. From the video, many countries progressed and moved on to become healthier and richer, but some, remained in the poverty. We had a brief discussion on what caused these countries to progress further than the rest. And how the world is coming together to fight problems such as poverty.


What I found interesting


The most interesting take away is the discussion about the country's population size vs the wealth. China and India takes up 55% of the world's population, however their combined wealth is only 32% of the world's. Does this mean that they are under performing or have they reached their maximum? After the second part of lesson 2 when we discussed about HDI, it occurred to me that I have failed to consider the reasons of their under performance. And the most interesting thing is, knowing that happiness can also be included in the HDI. If the citizens are happy, they tend to be more productive, hence maximizing human potential. 


Most important take away


A good idea allows a firm/organization/team to dominate the arena, but only those with good traits and attitude stays. I feel that this is the most important thing that i have learned in lesson 2. Having good attitudes determines if the firm/organization/team will continue rising or start falling. This does not only apply to technologies/renown firms or organizations, but also to ourselves. Wanting to keep improving and not be complacent can bring one to greater heights.


How would i like to further this discussion/another topic to discuss


We could go more in depth into discussing how the richer nations can help the poorer ones. Besides coming up with goals, what other things can they do to help? Furthermore, are the goals too idealistic? Adding on, we can discuss about other areas that the poorer nation need help in. Such as having excess to technologies. How can we bridge this gap between the richer and the poorer nations. Giving them opportunities to keep up with the technologies as well.


Rate this session


I would rate this session 7/10. I had great insights about the different dimensions of global dominance and development. However, i thought some parts of the discussions could have been more in depth if not for the time constraint. 

Session 1- "I do not fear computers, i fear the lack of them"

I was not around for the first lesson, but as i read through the learning objectives of this course, i'm looking forward to attending lessons. Not only would i be able to learn how technology innovations have changed and improved to what they are today, but also their impact on areas like agriculture and industrial. Together with the relationship between civilizations and technological changes(from past and present). 

Correct me if i am wrong, but TWC reminds me a little of Jc Geography. Where we get to look into the cause and effects, case and data analysis and finding pattern in the data that we have and criticizing and analyzing them. However, TWC focus more on technological changes and its development. 

A came across a quote that says "I do not fear computers, i fear the lack of them". It got me thinking if we have became too reliant on technologies, or have we simply accepted the fact that we are indeed reliant on technologies, and have decided to improve them further to suit our needs.