Consumers should be aware of this trend due to
the many advantages, opportunities, and also drawbacks it has to offer.
Personalization of the technology and the electronic industry can
make daily tasks extremely easier and less time consuming.
People should be informed
and educated of such a powerful and efficient tool personalized technology
can be. For example, with just a click of the mouse
a consumer can receive his or her weather forecast, stock quotes, television
listings, e-mail, and local news.
Employees of media companies,
however, are affected in different ways. Their jobs become more difficult
and tedious with the onset of such a large demand for personalized technology.
However this also creates many opportunities for new jobs which therefore
improves the economy.
This trend may have a negative
effect on both society as a whole and the individual. With such information
so easy to attain, an individual no longer needs to look for it somewhere
else. He or she tends to interact more with his or her computer rather than
other individuals, making him or her less sociable and more reliant on
technology. This personalization trend can also break up society into
very small groups, which remove the unity that is needed in a healthy society.
People also use the very popular instant messaging programs to talk
to friends and even to strangers which takes away physical contact and
conversation. See Technology's
Effects on Social Systems for more information.
The economy can benefit greatly
from this trend. Since there is more of a demand for this type of technology,
more jobs are needed to produce it.
"Technology is a key factor in the supporting and developing of an economy,
in the securing and maintaining of jobs for the population, and most certainly
determining the level of the economic welfare experienced by the members
of society." Technology's
Effects on Commerce
There are not very many government
laws or regulations concerning this trend considering it is still a very
young aspect of today's technology. However, one can imagine the complications
it can bring in the future when this trend continues to develop. Problems
with issues such as individual privacy are inevitable.
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