What is the “internet of things” or IoT for short? According to wikipedia, the internet of things “is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other electronic items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.” This vast web of electronics is used daily by most people. We use it for a multitude of things, such as communication and creativity. However, one of the most common ways people use the internet is to spend/transfer money. I know I do almost all of my shopping online, aside from running to the store for little one-off things. I believe the reason I and many others use the internet so much more frequently than regular shopping is simply the convenience. It is so much  more simple to order, say, a video game online and have it delivered or directly downloaded than it is to run to Game Stop and buy one in person. Social media, too, plays a large part in how we as people spend our money on the internet. Social media is an advertising agencies dream come true. The platform is designed to constantly supply fresh information to the user, which in turn leads to more and more adds. I do my best to avoid impulse buys of things I see on facebook or reddit, but I know there have been times where I saw an item on social media and immediately impulse purchased it. I think it really all boils down to how much easier it is to communicate now than it ever has been. Corporations, politicians, musicians, etc. all have the ability to share their product/service so easily. This leads to a rise in consumer culture.

Before I discuss the benefits of blockchain, I think it is important to explain what blockchain is. In essence, blockchain is a virtual public ledger that records everything in a secure and transparent manner. Blockchain allows for the free transfer of cryptocurrency through a decentralized medium. All data stored through blockchain is held in an interlinked network of computers owned and run by the owners/users of the computers. So now that we know what block chain is, let’s discuss some of the possible uses for it. Firstly, it will help supply chain management. A blockchain could be used to track the movement of goods, their origin, the quantity, as well as delivery status of goods. This helps provide a level of transparency in the process. Blockchain could also help with quality assurance. A blockchain could help make it easier for a business to carry out an investigation into why there is an imperfection in a product. Blockchain could also help with voting. Blockchain could help, especially in local elections, to eliminate any voter fraud. Finally, energy supply is a field that could benefit from the implementation of blockchain. I hope that block chain technology will become more prevalent in our society. It provides a transparent and reliable way to create networks to share and send/receive information.

Both accessibility and universal design are process or approaches to design that make it easier for everyone to use, especially those with disabilities or handicaps. This can range from a variety of different things, such as design of physical space, customer service problems, design of products, design of websites, how employees are trained, etc. Both of these approaches are extremely important to creating things that are accessible to all people. There are a few differences between the two though that help create an important distinction. Accessible design is a design process in which the needs of people with disabilities are specifically considered. This process is most known as requirements found under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendment Act. Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by everyone, to the greatest extent possible, without need for adaptation or specialized design. There are many reasons why a company might decide to use one or both of these processes in their products. For example, it is useful and marketable to people with disabilities. Also, due to the nature of its design, products made with these guidelines are easy to understand regardless of experience with the technology. I believe it is important to keep these processes in mind when designing a product. It seems like a no-brainer to me; these processes make your products more usable by a wider range of people, which in turn will result in more profit.

Artificial intelligence is a relatively new field of technology. It is something that I find interesting, yet also terrifying. Currently, I do not interact much with AI technology, other than SIRI and other things that are automated processes. AI poses a threat to the future of the human work force. With many simple jobs being replaced by AI, the amount of unskilled jobs left is slowly dwindling. This will lead to increased separation of wealth and fewer wages for working people. Big Data, however, shows up in my life constantly. Big Data is especially pertinent in my life due to advertisements. Before I switched off a lot of the microphone permissions on my phone, I would constantly receive advertisements for things that I had never searched for and had no interest in. My phone was using its microphone to pick up on the things I talked about in every day situations. This felt like an invasion of privacy almost. It was very surreal knowing that we are all monitored like that. I hope that big data and AI technology improve to become beneficial and profitable endeavors for humanity. I also hope that as these technologies are developed that they be developed ethically and carefully.