Session 2

Already the second week at SMU, I realized something. Time really flies. The second session of TWC was way more detailed than the first. The class started with a basic recap of definitions of technology. We, then proceeded to talk about innovation and invention. Innovation basically involves two steps, creative thinking of an idea or invention and market acceptance of the product.
As students of TWC, we have two important goals to figure out:
1. Yali's question. It is important to find out why there is a difference in the rate of growth of different societies,
2. What we, as residents of this planet, should do to fasten the pace of growth in the under developed and developed countries.
The class was divided into two segments:
TECHNOLOGY, SOCIETY AND GLOBAL DOMINANCE
Prof asked us various questions, such as why is USA a dominating power, why is Apple a leading company, what led to the decline of IBM  and so on.
We were then shown a video on World History which was really fascinating and mind boggling. We also discussed the various types of Global Dominance, like, social, cultural, economic and so on.
A very interesting model was shown to us, which was the Prof's organization behavior model which showed the various kinds of dominators in society, the rising stars, falling stars and the dominant leader.
Japan, India and Singapore were stated as excellent examples of rising stars, nations hungry for growth and success. European countries were classified as the falling stars.
We also discussed about the importance of our past and how it has the power to shape our future.
The two individual presentations on the Rise of China and Translation Apps in Smart Phones were highly enlightening and informative.
In response to Wei Yang's question, I believe that if everyone was equipped with smart phones with data services, we would be able to bridge the gap between people from different segments of society. The world would become a smaller place and people could connect with greater ease.

TECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
The second segment of the session began with a discussion on the meaning of development. Development is perceived to be progress, it is a change, desirably in a positive direction. There are various types of development, like social, economic, industrial.
Human development is a very important concept. It is the ability to help individuals to maximize their potentials. Three primary factors govern human development: Health, Education and Income.
A video I found really fascinating was the video- What should we be aiming to achieve in life? I had never heard of the concept of GNH- Gross National Happiness before and I feel that in today's day and age, it is essential to achieve happiness of people more than anything else. This initiative by the Dragon King of Bhutan was indeed a great one!
The three individual presentations on Eugenics, Cyber crimes and the role of Technology in early childhood programs provided some great insights!
In response to the question raised by Sylvester on Eugenics, I think Eugenics is an unexplored and vast field, which has both pros and cons. It is up to us which aspect of it we choose. By gene alteration, various diseases can be controlled to a certain degree.

Overall, I would rate this session an 8 on 10. It was a very informative session wherein new ideas and scope of various technologies was discussed. Can't wait for the next class!

Day 1, Session 1.

Technology and World Change was the first class on my first day at SMU. As an international student, I did not know what to expect. I didn't have the slightest clue as to what we would be taught. I was confused and nervous. But as the class came to an end, my confusion was severely reduced.

The class started with ice breakers. Prof Shahi introduced himself to us and encouraged us to get to know each other. I got to know a few interesting people from different schools. Prof then asked us what we infer from the word 'technology'. A mixed array of answers were given, 'the evolution of tools', 'the evolution of work methods' and so on. Technology, Prof told us, simply means the study of 'how to do'.

This was a straightforward and simple meaning to an otherwise complicated question. We then saw a video called ‘Shift Happens’. One thing in the video that really astonished me was that half of what I learn in my First Sem would be outdated by the end of my fourth year! The Prof also showed us a video on ‘Guns, Germs and Steel’, a book by Jared Diamond. The book and the video basically revolves around one question asked by Yali, a New Guinian to Jared, ‘Why do white men have so much cargo?’. The video showed Diamond’s search for the answer to this question. We were also shown a timeline of important revolutions over the years and how technology has assisted these revolutions to grow and spread. Each revolution gave way to a new method of thinking and led to the growth and development of the world.

One very important question the Prof asked us was, ‘What is the future of human race’? This is a very critical question as we, the present generation, hold the future in our hands and depends on us as to how we go into the future. Technology has led to unthinkable developments and advancements in every field possible and as guardians of this world, it is our duty that we use this technology in a balanced way, because like all things, technology has its pros and cons too.

What I think I took away from this first session was that technology has no bounds. Technology is forever changing and the world is always growing. Change is a way of life and we should adapt and accept this change, rather than fight it. Also one line that the Prof said influenced me, ‘Technology is easy, people are hard.’

I had a great first session and I look forward to many more interesting and thought provoking sessions like these. I’d rate this class a 9.

That’s all for now!