Hi everyone!

I am in Li Ka Shing Library as I start my blog post for the sixth lesson of the term. This is my first time doing my work in the school library, and I must say I am appalled to see so many students studying so diligently at every floor and every corner of the library! Technology has indeed brought about such an extensive change in our lives that we can now do research so efficiently and thus, increasing our learning capabilities. Due to technology, we have air-conditioning systems in place, electricity to provide us light (and allow us to stay in the library so late in the night), and aid us in becoming more knowledgeable in the fastest possible way! (Compared to people in the past when reading tangible books was one of the main ways to absorb certain information). Now, besides having tangible books to aid us in our research, we can google to search for us what sort of information we need. I am so glad I am born in this era!

Time to talk about what was discussed during Lesson 6! On Tuesday, Professor Shahi addressed the topic on ‘Biobusiness Revolution- Healthcare and Biomedical Sciences (Past, Present and Future)’. I feel that it was a pretty interesting lesson as the lesson revolved around Healthcare. It is an issue that relates to each and every one of us as encountering certain kind of illnesses is presumably unavoidable. To some extent, governments are responsible in providing us an adequate amount of healthcare services. Also, it is not just about having the governments to subsidize healthcare costs for patients; it is also about having to provide access to healthcare services for them.

Out of all the readings, I found reading 4 particularly interesting and insightful.

The title for this reading is ‘Will Disruptive Innovations Cure Health Care’. The writers were highly supportive of disruptive innovations in the healthcare industry. They felt that by allowing disruptive innovations to be the ‘dominant’ player in the field could the problems of healthcare be solved. Such disruptive innovations include introducing ‘cheaper, simpler and more convenient products of services’ that caters to the less demanding patients who do not require complex technologies to solve their health problems. With regards to their viewpoints, I agree with them that disruptive innovations can certainly help to alleviate some of the pressing problems today. For instance, treatments that are more expensive and complicated often cater to the higher end of the market and neglect; or rather reject patients who are unable to afford such service. Even nurses, who have received an adequate level of training, are able to perform simple treatment for patients. This, coupled with what was discussed during the video ‘Health Vision’ played in class (patients can self monitor their own health status), can certainly improve the efficiency of healthcare treatment and allow patients to get well sooner.

Lastly, I would like to provide my insights on organ training (an issue brought up by one of the presenters during the lesson). So, what exactly is wrong with organ trading? Do you think it should be legalized in any society?

Well, I feel that it is presumably undeniable that organ trading is beneficial to both parties—the seller and the buyer. After selling his organ, the seller receives the large amount of money that he deserves. Sellers are usually in dire need of money and thus with organ trading, they are able to receive instant cash/credit to solve any of their cash-flow problems in the short term. On the other hand, the buyer is given the ‘gift of life’ immediately as well. If such monetary compensation is able to draw the attention of the potential organ sellers, why ban organ trading when it has the power to save another’s life? It can be a win-win situation for both sides.

However, organ trading is not all that risk-free. There are bound to have negative side effects for the seller. This, together with the possible outcome of the rich exploiting the poor, can cause further problems for everyone. For instance, there are cases in India whereby the sellers are only given a measly sum for their organs or in even worse cases, some are ‘forced’ to give up their organs. With regards to this, I feel that governments can consider stepping up to ensure the organ trading business is regulated well and there are proper procedures put in place. Ultimately, every person has his own right to decide for himself what he wants to do with his organs.

I would give this lesson a rating of 8/10! J

Lesson #5- Real or not Real?

“Today’s real borders are not between nations,

but between powerful and powerless,

free and fettered, privileged and humiliated.”

- Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations -

Kudos to everyone for surviving the first five weeks of school! I’m sure it must have been a busy month for everyone especially with all the mid-term tests, assignments and project presentations coming up! Hang in there and before you know it, it will be our well-deserved recess week and soon final year exams and finally, our one-month December holiday! Meanwhile, all of us just have to grit our teeth and persevere till the end of

the semester! :)

The main issue of discussion for Lesson 5 was ‘ ICT and World Change’. ICT stands for Information and Communication Technology. I find this Tuesday’s class especially informative because our main discussion topic was circled around mass media and how it has changed/impacted our way of lives and the society in recent times. Apart from knowing about the revolution of social media (Facebook, myspace) and mass media (televisions, music players, computers Etc), I pretty much do not know about the other aspects of ICT (in-depth) till I went for lesson 5. These aspects include the different versions of the web (1.0,2.0,3.0,4.0),

Mifi(setting up a device as a ‘hotspot’ area), cloud computing and knowledge management.

During class, Professor Shahi asked what are these ‘web 1.0,2.0,3.0’? I answered ‘different software updates?’ Of course, I was wrong. These different versions of the web are not software updates (I am so used to updating my laptop or phone in different OS that I thought those were software updates!). In fact, after watching the video that Professor played in class, I found out that the static web is 1.0, interactive web is 2.0 and the intelligent and omnipresent web is 3.0. It is so amazing how in today’s times, signals are sent among gadgets, the computer, the Internet and people without us realizing it. I just realized that each time I press the button to ‘delete email off handheld and mailbox’; I am indirectly sending a signal to my blackberry, which in turns send another signal to my email inbox to remove that particular message.

The third video was about cloud computing and how it has allowed us access to information that is not on our system. It can also run like a business application- providing a platform for businesses to interact and carry out their business operations efficiently. Not only does it cost less, it is more secure and more reliable. It is one application that everyone shares—like a giant office building and any basic/ new start up firm does not need to hire a technical team as well. Cloud computing has indeed changed the way businesses function. For instance, with the sudden craze in online shopping, one does not need to get out of the house and head down to any retail outlet to take a look at fashion, all one needs is just a computer and a bank account!

Moving on…

I was truly intrigued by invention of Project Natal. The link for the youtube video is as follows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HluWsMlfj68

Today, we are moving towards the age where technology may actually take over our world. The X box Kinect is the latest version of Play Stations. Now, we don’t need to use game controllers to play games anymore, our hand actions are in fact the controllers. It is definitely more enjoyable because it is in a way, more ‘REAL’. As such, I feel that this form of visual reality is starting to integrate into reality in the living world. Having milo (the character on the television) as a friend is practically like having a friend in real life. This then leads to the issue of confusing what is real and what is not real. Personally, I feel that in this case, if I do have a visual friend like ‘Milo’, I may reach a stage whereby I am confused with having a real friend and a visual friend. The longer I spend interacting with him, the higher the tendency for me to treat him like a normal human being. This ‘visual reality’ concept links very closely with 3D films and even 4D films today. Who knows, maybe one day we will be living in movies visually?

All in all, I would rate the lesson 9/10!

See you next class!

Individual Topical Review Outline

Hi follks!

The topic I have chosen for my individual paper outline is 'Green Technology'. I have decided to focus on one aspect and it is the Revolution of 'Green' Cars.

I must say it was rather difficult to choose a specific type of innovation to focus on, especially when there are so many different kinds of green technology ideas! From solar panels to green concrete, there are simply too many to pick from! However, in today's society, I feel that cars- our basic mode of transportation, is so essential in our daily lives that if one day we do not have coal or fossil fuels left to generate the power of our vehicles, our lives will change drastically. Although we have trains, which are generated by electricity, those alone are not enough to transport us to any area or corner in the world. Therefore, I feel that everyone should support the use of hybrid and electric cars, as they will essentially be the type of vehicles that will facilitate our commutation.

Thank you for taking time to read this post and your comments are kindly appreciated :)

Review Report Outline and Brief Description of Proposed Approach

Topic: Green Technology- ‘Green’ Cars

Executive Summary:

à What is green technology à it is the creation of environmentally friendly goods that encompass recycling, reusing, reducing waste, energy efficiency, conservation of resources, safety and health risks, and more.à In this paper, I will focus on one particular innovation: ‘Green’ carsà include Mild Hybrid, full Hybrid, The Range Extender and Fully Electric cars

àHistory of electric carsàhow these cars were invented in the 1900s and how it went into extinction in 1990sà now, the ‘wave’ of electric cars is back

à The great change these cars had made and what were the implications of this significant innovation. This paper also includes my thoughts on the possible policies/actions we can enforce to ensure the sustainability of this innovation (prevent the extinction of these cars again)

Introduction/Background/ History:

(Past)

àGreen Technology was not invented in the 21^st Century; it started way back in the 1800s. People then saw the need to develop alternative sources of energy to create a cleaner and greener environment for mankind to live in. Resources such as coal and fossil fuels are non-renewable and will soon be diminished.

à Renewable resources of energy include the invention of windmills, solar-powered panels and battery-powered cars for transportation.

àIn the 20^th Century, electric cars were popular, as they did not contribute much to noise and air pollution as compared to the gasoline cars and their engines were easier to start. General Electric invented the battery-powered car EV1 in the 1990s. Mayor Michael Bloomberg encouraged people to buy hybrid cars and an electric taxi company was flourishing as it brought service to an entire metropolis.

àHowever, due to the decrease in prices for gasoline cars and the fact that gasoline provides more power per galloon, the demand for electric cars declined and almost became extinct. Only the upper class could afford electric cars as they had massive carriages with fancy interiors.

(Present)

à The Electric cars are back. Car companies are looking into reducing the level of car emissions and increasing fuel efficiency. (As they are pressured by strict government regulations, energy security concerns and high oil prices)

(Future)

à It is predicted (by the boston consulting group) that by 2020, most people will be driving hybrid cars

Issues/Challenges/Key Observations

à More often than not, ‘green’ products such as these cars may soon be depleted if the demand for them is not high enough. Businesses who have the visions to produce and sell such products to consumers are relying on the customers’ needs and wants as well. However, if the demand is not there, companies are not able to continue supplying goods. Thus this poses a great challenge for green technology in sustaining the environment.

à Alternative fuels can reduce carbon emissions up to 25% à however, it is very costly to install additional gas tank and necessary funneling infrastructure à Who is going to invest?

à It is said in China and India that replacing the internal-combustion engine vehicles with electric cars will not make much of a difference in carbon emissions today/year 2020 because the operations (power mix) in electric cars are so carbon intensiveà the emission is almost as much as using conventional cars.

Discussion and Analysis:

(Answers to the following questions will be discussed more in depth here)

à The question ‘Can technology replace today’s economy that was built on the usage of non-renewable sources of energy – fossil fuels and coal?’ à Can these electric cars completely eradicate the internal-combustion engine vehicles in the near future (widely used today)? à What may be the implications if these cars dominate?

àIt was technology, which accelerated the economy’s growth, and it was technology, which determined the direction corporations had geared towards the past few decades (manufacturing, burning of natural resources to produce energy Etc.).

àWill technology be the tool that can change the methods of production and improve the economy at the same time? Alexis Madrigal (senior editor at the Atlantic) said that ‘ Technology doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is influenced by society – and society, as Madrigal points out, can and does change, which gives us hope for the future ‘

Taking Things Forward/ Opportunities

à ‘ If green technology is going to make a difference, it’s going to be corporate big. It would be a worthwhile trade’.

à Need stronger federal support for green technology to dominate our society and save our environment à Focus on the ways we can ensure the sustainability of these green carsà Roles of stakeholders, government, automotive companies and consumers will be discussed here.

à If more governments can learn from Europe (uses renewable and nuclear energy)à power mixing will be cleanerà the processes, in generating electricity to charge the electric cars, release less carbon emissionsà overall carbon emissions will be reduced tremendously.

à Other than providing tax incentives to automobile companies and consumersàthe government could educate/encourage its citizens to think long term à Perhaps come up with a policy such as subsidizing the next generation’s electric car when parents have purchased the first one

Conclusion:

à Green technology is probably the key to preserve the environment and ensure the future of mankind.