Well, the below video will show the revolution of computers through the Computer History Museum.
It first introduce the architecture of the stored-program computer which was invented by John von Neumann. This computer can store a memory of 4k which is only about 4 pages of text. Yes! It may seem like a joke and we're probably wondering what kind of storage is that even accounted for. But, without his invention, we'd probably not be able to enjoy having our computers containing all our documents and photos and softwares and musics, etc.
They then introduce the 1st hard drive, followed by the SAGE and the German Enigma machine and Google's First server.
This is probably one way to illustrate Technological Diffusion because through time, as computers are recreated, people come to a point to adopt them (compare today's computer with the earliest ones). If people have not decided to adopt the new ones, we would
probably still be using the huge and bulky computers without any colours.
Furthermore, the only reason to why generations after generations continue to adopt the new technology is due to all the reasons under Technological Diffusion:
1. Cost-benefit tradeoffs
where it is way cheaper nowadays to get a computer
2. Functionality
it has the latest system to help us reach out to everyone else,
contains the latest functions, etc.
3. Substitutes
replacing the heavy and bulky ones which takes up alot of space
4. Complements
ability to use with the latest gadgets such as our mobile phone,
internet, video conference, etc
So next time, when you decide to complain how heavy your laptop is, compare it with the older ones which could probably take up the entire space of your room and try thinking how you're going to move it from one place to another.
I'm amazed to see how huge a computer used to be and how limited amount of memory it stores. I think this is a great way to show Technological Diffusion. This also shows that almost all the technologies we used have someway or another gone through Technological Diffusion, like our mobile phones, television many other electrical appliances.
ReplyDeleteYes, technology advances at an increasing speed. Another example can be on Healthcare Services. With technology advances, patients who are suffering for Kidney failure can now go through dialysis at home, unlike in the past, where it is almost impossible to own a dialysis equipment, or even going back further, there might not even be such an equipment to aid these patients.
ReplyDeleteTalking about kidney failure and having to go through dialysis, technology advances as made it cheaper nowadays for patients, since technology is more advance.
ReplyDeleteYes. Other than medical equipment, looking back at computers or even mobile phones, it is way cheaper to get them currently due to the widespread and demand of it, thus many companies come up with different kind of mobile phones to accomodate to these demand. And due to the increase in supply of these technologies, the price of them become more affordable.
ReplyDeletewell if you guys are amazed now you'll find out more when you take one of the CSE modules...do you know the earliest computer was actually a man/women. heheh back wayyy then people who used to crunch numbers were called computers...
ReplyDeleteHmm. Now they're called accountants and they get relatively high pays as they go higher up their pay grades. Haha.
ReplyDeleteComputers have certainly made our lives easier and our work faster. Score!
We'll be taking CSE modules next semester! And I think we can further deepen our knowledge on computers. Though I still don't really know what's that module going to be covering.
ReplyDeletehahaha! definitely made our lives a whole lot easier. like doing research. even communicating to people overseas. or checking out the latest trends. with the help of technology improvement i suppose!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I just read justin's blog. His last entry was also talking about technology. And this somehow reminds me that with technology advancement, with it making our lives easier, I think many of us become reliant on them. Well, definitely for me, especially when talking about my mobile phone, where all my friends' and relatives' contacts are stored. I'd probably go crazy knowing that all my contacts are gone. However, without that problem of losing my contacts, I'm fine living with my mobile for a day or two! Probably a week if I'm overseas and deciding to save on bills. (:
ReplyDeleteMy phone was spoilt recently and my contacts were all stored in it. I realized that I've lost all my ex-schoolmates contacts, my army contacts and many of my other friends. It was really bad. I guess it just shows an over dependent on mobile storing our contacts eh?
ReplyDeleteThat's bad to hear. But i guess it gives you a chance to adopt a new mobile with better functions and all included in it.
ReplyDeletehahaha.. yeah! by the way great write up, good illustration.. :)
ReplyDeletethanks for the compliment! (: i'm just so appreciative of all these gadgets which evolve over the years! we wouldn't be able to blog without these transformation of technology, probably still penning down in our diaries where things and thoughts are meant to kept personal.
ReplyDelete