I always get a bit puzzled when discussing the relationship between megatrends and technology. Are technological developments megatrends in themselves, or are they just a consequence of megatrends? Take mobile communication as an example: are people getting more mobile (geographically speaking) because of mobile technology? Or was mobile technology developed as a result of people getting more mobile (and hence have an increasing need to be 'online' everywhere)? I'm inclined to think the latter is true.
However, there is one technology that clearly makes the exception to the rule. The development of Nanotechnology might create new trends in itself, such as the 'dematerialization' of production (things will grow by themselves) or living longer healthy lives (vanishing the negative consequences of the aging population).
Need to put this one on my list...
No comments:
Post a Comment