Smarting from the smart posts

Where does one draw the line when it comes to acknowledging sensitivities in social media? A touchy conversation begins…

AD: You seem to be spending a lot of time online these days... What's up?

BC: I simply stare at the screen most often, but I was thinking about how dicey it has become to post a message online without offending someone or their beliefs...

AD: What do you mean?

BC: The other day, I saw a post about the pros of being a vegetarian and on impulse, shared it on my Facebook wall...

AD: So?

BC: I have a lot of friends who are non-vegetarians. It’s possible that the post could have put them off...

AD: But...

BC: Suddenly, we seem to have become pretty opinionated about a whole lot of issues - and non-issues - that are hot topics online. From cricket, IPL, politics, elections, corruption, technology and celebrities, to gun laws, healthcare and war, if you're from the West...

AD: What are you implying?

BC: Technology has made today’s world a pretty complicated place to live in - we never had such problems during my times...

AD: Look, technology attempted to give us a networking platform which, unfortunately, has degenerated into a minefield where we need to tread carefully because everyone is reading what we post...

BC: So, what technology giveth, technology taketh away?

AD: But it's only the older lot that picks issues with social media. Look at the younger generation - they don't care. Have you checked out the various memes that do the rounds? They're mostly irreverent and often use filthy language, but no one takes offence...

BC: Are you suggesting that we only discuss frivolous matters and never take a stance in social media?

AD: No, what I’m saying is that we take ourselves too seriously and when things come to a flash point, we blame technology for it.

BC: Take anti-corruption, for instance... Anything I say could offend those who are on the take, so...

AD: It’s quite complicated. Sometimes, when you oppose an opinion online, others could gang up on you and make you feel outshouted and outnumbered. This happens quite frequently in the student community… Cyberbullying has become a constant headache for parents of teens who frequent social media sites.

BC: You're probably referring to hate groups - I'm talking about normal individuals and the way they react to any post that is discordant with their beliefs...

AD: Trolling is another unfortunate outcome of this behaviour as users give vent to their rage - it has even led to suicides amongst the younger generation.

BC: But my opinions could always be deemed offensive by someone on this planet…

AD: The idea is to think twice before you express yourself online because your thoughts will travel zillions of miles the moment you hit the 'Enter' key... Has it become impossible for us to speak our mind without having to put down someone?

BC: Instead of blaming those who post messages, why not turn the focus on the recipients who seem to have lost their tolerance and possibly their sense of humour as well?

AD: The point is, social media gives us the perfect cloak to hide behind and say what we feel like. If we can’t say something in front of a crowd, we shouldn't be saying it online either...

BC: Sometimes I wonder... Technology is supposed to bridge distances, time and generations, but it has only succeeded in polarizing us as a community...

AD: Don't blame technology for it - rather, blame the way we use it. Besides, scathing criticism of social figures and administration seems to be permitted in mass media, but not in social media. Can you explain that?

BC: That's simple - people may miss an article in the print media, but will never miss a post on social media.

AD: How do you say that?

BC: Well, we hardly seem to have a few minutes to read newspapers, but when it comes to Facebook, we have the entire working day at our disposal.

She'll buy it if it's in pink...

It’s a huge misconception that men buy more tech devices than women, claims a tech fan.

BC: Hi, you seem deep in thought...

AD: I came across an interesting discussion on Facebook - a couple of friends were pretty peeved that a site had segregated its products through separate sections for men and women.

BC: So where's the problem?

AD: Apparently the women's section featured only lifestyle, fashion, healthcare and personal care products, while the men's section had electronics, technology and a whole lot of other categories...

BC: Why? Because men invest more in technology than women?

AD: You're wrong - there's a lot of research online which shows that women buy more electronic goods and gizmos than we think...

BC: Is that so?

AD: Absolutely! In fact, reports also show that they download more movies and music, and spend more time playing games online or on their gaming consoles...

BC: In that case, why is it that technology is automatically deemed a male domain?

AD: One reason could be because technology's generally considered a geek's world - and one rarely comes a female geek. Also, technology has been pioneered mostly by men...

BC: But what about women like Radia Perlman? Isn't she referred to as the 'mother of the Internet'?

AD: That's right, and there have been many women, from Carly Fiorina, who headed Hewlett-Packard, to Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer, who've made a name for themselves in the tech world...

BC: So why aren't brands taking note of this fact?

AD: Some did, but were off by a long way. A few years ago, Dell had come up with a site exclusively for women called Della...

BC: Was that their idea of adding femininity to the brand Dell?

AD: Whatever, but the site offered netbooks specially made for women. And it also gave them tips on all their favourite topics - health, yoga, meditation and food – to facilitate online shopping and downloads...

BC: In other words, everything that women are 'supposed' to do with a laptop...

AD: That's right. But after the scathing criticism that followed, they apologised and amended the site to be more inclusive of tech topics...

BC: Guess the popular misconception of 'make it in pink so she'll buy it' has affected many...

AD: This extends to social media as well…

BC: What do you mean?

AD: A report has revealed that women in the US use social media more than men. In fact, they vastly outnumber the number of men on Pinterest. So, with each brand increasingly looking towards social media to reach out to their target audience, this skew towards men is shocking.

BC: Absolutely!

AD: This goes for mobile, laptops and tablets too, where women are outshopping men...

BC: I'm sure it's quite different in India.

AD: We still have some distance to catch up, but you can see the number of women owning mobile phones and tablets on the rise... In fact, a survey conducted in the UK shows that women have made more purchases using their smartphones than men have...

BC: Really?

AD: Yes, incidentally, women also download more apps than men, and use these apps - and the devices they've purchased - more often than men do.

BC: Is there anything at all where men are ahead?

AD: Yes, LinkedIn has more male users than...

BC: So what about that famous theory about women being more compulsive shoppers in stores?

AD: Women have found out ways of using technology even when they shop in physical stores...

BC: Like what?

AD: They are more likely to use their camera phones and take snaps of a product to check with a friend or to compare prices online. They also make better use of the QR technology to learn more about the product.

BC: So future versions of games like Modern Combat and Battlefield could feature an all-woman team...

AD: It's possible - as long as the makers take care they don't dress them up in pink camouflage and send them into action with pink guns.

So much info, so little time…

‘Technology has to be blamed for the fact that we’re suffering from information overload,’ claims an old-timer.

BC: Hi,did you get your newspaper this morning?

AD: I wouldn't know, I get all my news online...

BC: How do you manage to keep track? There's such an overdose of news and articles on the net - it becomes so difficult to find your way through that maze, figure out which ones you want to read and...

AD: I don’t think it’s all that complicated…

BC: A newspaper has 20-odd pages and each page has a finite number of articles and news items - isn't it easier to follow them than have a million websites report the same incident in different ways?

AD: You need to install a couple of filters to make your life easy - one is to your computer, to help you be selective about what you read. And the other is to your mind, to stay focussed and not vacillate between various sites...

BC: But why complicate things in the first place? Technology was brought in to simplify life, but...

AD: Here we go again. It's pretty simple actually, as long as you know what to look for and where to look for it.

BC: You’re trivialising the problem…

AD: I don't understand why you're blaming technology for it. Hasn't information overload been bandied about as the bane of civilisation ever since the printing press came into existence?

BC: C'mon, you can't compare a few hundred books to an unending barrage of information online. Even social media has become a source of news - there are so many 'relevant' news items that are begging for your attention. And the ones that you miss out on are purposefully forwarded to you by friends and contacts – a host of sites like Mashable, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter, Digg and Facebook are more than willing to bring it to your laptop or mobile.

AD: You should learn to ignore most of them, especially those awful forwards in the 'self-help' and 'how to' categories...

BC: They're the ones that people just can't resist and so they end up loading themselves with information on everything from how to practice yoga at a fast-food joint to a thousand selfie poses to try out and post online before you die…

AD: But there’s a positive side to all this…

BC: The problem is that there is no balance. The pendulum has swung from a dearth of information to a surfeit of it…

AD: It's about prioritising...

BC: And what about spam? Think of all the mail you get from dubious sources that clog your inbox - and think of the time you spend in clearing it, day after day.

AD: Isn't that why we have spam filters? And why are you harping on the disadvantages of technology? What about the fact that you don't have to wait for the latest news any longer? Everything you want to know is now available at your fingertips…

BC: But I don't need all of that. What'll I do with a million sites telling me about Facebook buying Whatsapp, for instance? I need just one source of news to explain the deal to me...

AD: It's not about how much information you find - it's about knowing where to find information when you need it. That's the reason why search engines exist - and just because Google throws up a billion results doesn't mean you hare off checking out all of them...

BC: What about the health problems associated with information overload? Haven't you read about the computer vision syndrome, which affects those who stare at their screen for long durations?

AD: Scientists have come up with a brain scanner that can detect when an individual goes into information overload. Apparently, it's like a headband and is worn by the user...

BC: Look what technology has reduced us to...

AD: What do you mean?

BC: Until recently, a scanner was a peripheral connected to a computer. Now, thanks to information overload, even human beings sit attached to scanners.

The Silicon Valley Civilization

Can ancient theories be debunked simply because they weren’t created using a computer? An old timer despairs…

AD: Hi, you were planning to check out a new house - aren’t you going?

BC: I wanted to make sure that I set off at the right time, otherwise...

AD: Right time? Good heavens, don't tell me you believe in all that...

BC: Why, what’s wrong in it? It's not just a belief, it’s science.

AD: You're kidding! It's just a lot of old-fashioned notions.

BC: So anything that's modern and has to do with computers is logical – and anything that's ancient is mere superstition, regardless of how accurate it might be. Is that what you’re trying to say?

AD: Well, if you choose to trust an almanac more than the latest technology...

BC: In fact, your new-age software and operating systems are released with so many bugs in them and need constant updates and patches. Compared to that, our ancient technologies and calculations are so accurate that they haven't needed upgrades ever since they were launched.

AD: But everything has to evolve...

BC: Thousands of years ago, we identified the concept of time as being cyclic and not linear. That not only helped us understand stars and constellations a lot better, but also enabled us to predict eclipses, full moon nights and the exact time or sunrise and sunset for the next thousand years. All of this was done without using complex computer systems and advanced software...

AD: I still can't believe that you take this ‘zodiac thing’ so seriously… But how did the old-timers do these calculations? Did they just sprout wings and indulge in space travel?

BC: They didn’t, but age-old texts mention special flying vehicles, called vimanas, that were designed to help them cover great distances. Of course, there are those who have their doubts about the existence of such flying machines…

AD: I still don't understand how...

BC: I was just making a point about how advanced people were back then. But it’s a fact that it didn't take complex algorithms or satellites launched into outer space for them to calculate this. It was all science and…

AD: So are you putting down current technology to make ancient science look good?

BC: Of course not - I'm saying that modern technology owes its existence to ancient civilisation.

AD: How is that?

BC: Sometime around 100 BC, a mathematician named Pingala came up with a binary numeral system, without which today's computers, mobile phones and other devices would be dummies.

AD: I've not heard of him at all.

BC: But I'm sure you would have heard about Panini, whose pioneering work in creating a structure for Sanskrit grammar paved the way for our modern computer programming languages...

AD: Yes, I've heard of that...

BC: And you can imagine what would have happened to computers and the binary language if we hadn't come up with the concept of zero...

AD: Sure, but...

BC: Wait, there’s more. Have you ever thought about where C and Java would be without the Fibonacci series?

AD: So how does that link back to our ancient systems?

BC: The series would not have been possible if Fibonacci had not adopted the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, which again, was the brainchild of our mathematicians.

AD: Looks like all our past glory has gotten lost with time...

BC: Speaking of time, ancient Indian scriptures have alluded to minute calculations involving nanoseconds, which today, serve as a measure of computer speed.

AD: At this rate, you will be telling me that today’s IT companies wouldn’t have been around if it were not for ancient science and technology…

BC: Well, considering the fact that we had come up with numbers as large as 10 to the power of 100 as early as the 5^th century BC…

AD: That’s a googol, right?

BC: The name came much later, but just imagine - if we hadn’t calculated the number correctly, the world’s leading search engine would still be known as ‘BackRub’ instead of a misspelt version of googol. 

No technology for old men

Today’s youngsters think that technology can take care of their parents while they live abroad, claims a senior citizen.

AD: Hi, what’s up? You seem pretty upset.

BC: Just got back from my neighbour’s place. I get all worked up when I see someone choose another country as their home and expect technology to bridge the gap between them and their folks...

AD: I don't understand...

BC: Most people settled abroad think that they've done their duty by calling their parents a couple of times a week. They simply don't understand that it doesn't make up for their absence back home...

AD: Not all of them…

BC: Even if they take a vacation, they would rather holiday at some exotic place than visit their parents.

AD: Look, life abroad is not as rosy as you think it is... Besides, in today’s world, you have to find ways of keeping in touch – e-mails, Facebook, chats...

BC: Not all senior citizens are comfortable with technology. It's so difficult to learn something new after a particular age, especially for those who have never stepped out of their homes...

AD: There are so many ways to learn these days... And there's online help as well.

BC: What if even getting online is a problem for them?

AD: But it’s so easy to operate services like Skype…

BC: There we go again - even if they learn to operate a laptop, turn the internet on and sit in front of the camera, they begin to panic if the image freezes or the audio doesn't work for a few seconds, because they don't know what's going wrong...

AD: But operating a mobile is easy, right? And there are several apps that can help them to...

BC: You're looking at things from your viewpoint. You were born with all this technology around you. In their case, they are having their grandchildren teach them things. There's a big difference... Some of them are uncomfortable, others get intimidated.

AD: So why are you blaming technology for it?

BC: Because its presence is what makes today's generation think that it’s fine to keep in touch with parents back home through some new-fangled device. They don’t realise that the older lot will also be forced to adopt the same technology in order to respond.

AD: But technology is getting friendly…

BC: Hardly! Electronic goods manufacturers are so keen on making products child-friendly or child-proof, but unfortunately, when it comes to the older lot, they show scant regard...

AD: Why, what do you want them to do?

BC: What about special mobile phones for senior citizens who are probably not very comfortable with the current smartphones or the tiny keypads in regular mobiles? What about computers that are voice-enabled...

AD: There are mobiles, computer keyboards and tablets designed especially for the older users...

BC: But I haven't seen much on the shelves here. I hope you aren’t going to suggest that they buy these gadgets online…

AD: Don’t you think senior citizens need to embrace the changing world?

BC: You also need to consider the other problems of old age - failing eyesight, trembling hands, a nervous disposition, poor memory...

AD: That's the reason why technology has ushered in a concept known as pervasive computing. Based on this, computers - equipped with sensors and requisite software - observe and learn more about a person's habits non-intrusively. Soon, they become familiar with a senior citizen's habits and take over as a guide, in case his memory fails him or if he forgets to do something, like take his medicines, for instance.

BC: Sounds good, but these things need to move from being a dazzling experiment to a way of life for us to feel their utility.

AD: So what are you trying to say? That technology is a senior citizen’s biggest enemy?

BC: You’re exaggerating, but the point is, people abroad must understand that filial duties go beyond swinging by once in a while and gifting their folks an iPad.

The technopathic cure

No other branch of medicine has leveraged technology the way allopathy has done, claims a youngster, taking on his older counterpart.

AD: Hi, so how's your migraine now? Did you see the doctor?

BC: I did, he's given me some oil and a powder mix that needs to be taken with...

AD: Why didn't you go see an allopathic doctor? What if a scan or some tests have to be done?

BC: I prefer natural medicines - they have no side effects.

AD: Wouldn’t it have been better to be diagnosed and treated by a proven branch of medicine that’s backed by technology?

BC: Well, natural forms of treatment originated long before allopathy, but are still relevant - doesn't that tell you how effective and well-thought out they are?

AD: Sure, but today, we’re afflicted with so many complications – and it takes technology to identify them.

BC: Maybe, but not all ailments need technology...

AD: It's not about using technology in isolation - it's about integrating it with every aspect of medicine. The Western system has intensive research done which is aided by technology, and billions of dollars are spent every year in understanding symptoms and producing medicines...

BC: But after all the diagnosis, it's the pharma companies that dictate the cure, don't they? It's become a money spinner...

AD: You're deviating - we're talking about the efficacy of the treatment and how technology aids it.

BC: Allopathy has the backing of the Western world and that explains its popularity...

AD: Incidentally, the West has now pioneered an advanced form of laser surgery to remove brain tumour based on a new technology called SRS microscopy that allows them to see the minutest portions of the brain tissue. And SRS stands for Stimulated Raman Scattering, named after Sir C V Raman. So there's an Indian influence there as well...

BC: That's an honour to the great man, but it's a fact that in our bid to look for quick relief, we're ignoring our wonderful healing systems...

AD: What about fields like gynaecology and obstetrics? Imagine where we would be if technology didn’t result in Doppler ultrasonography or CT scans...

BC: Sure, but for thousands of years before scan centres came up, women have been delivering babies. Since we have the technology, we're trying to make use of it.

AD: Speaking of scans, do you know that the imaging technologies available in operation theatres are now accessible to general physicians too? A handheld device based on a technology called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is now empowering them to...

BC: Sorry, but OCT is all OHT to me.

AD: And what about robot-assisted surgery? It can pull off the most intricate surgery with precision...

BC: Look into our ancient medical treatises – several complicated surgeries have been recorded. And they were done before modern technology came into existence.

AD: However, remote surgical intervention is a modern concept surely... I read an article about a doctor in New York performing a gallbladder operation on a patient in France. It calls for computers, artificial intelligence and...

BC: All I can say is that we are endowed with a lot of natural intelligence to fall back upon, so...

AD: Isn’t it true that a branch of medicine like homeopathy actually gives you the disease-causing substance in small, diluted doses? There have been several questions raised regarding this...

BC: If that's the case, PET - Positron Emission Tomography - scanning involves injecting the patient with a small dose of radioactive material. Would you rather accept that?

AD: Think of it as technology's miracle, because the effects are the same as that of an X-ray. I can continue telling you about how technology has aided remote surgery through the Asynchronous Transfer Mode, or ATM...

BC: The ATM has another big role to play as well...

AD: What’s that?

BC: With medical treatment becoming prohibitively expensive, it's the first place every patient will need to visit before he goes to a hospital.

Honey, I blew up the mobile

If you think technology’s making things smaller, take a look at the mobile, says an old-timer.

AD: Hey, I tried calling you all of last week - why didn't you take my calls?

BC: You did? Sorry, my mobile is down and I'm using an old mobile that has no contacts, so I never know who's calling.

AD: I guess that explains why you aren't on WhatsApp either...

BC: It’s an old flip phone with no modern technology like Wi-Fi, net connectivity, Bluetooth, apps...

AD: That’s terrible - you must be feeling totally stuck...

BC: On the contrary, I'm perfectly fine with it. It's just the key pad that needs a bit of getting used to...

AD: How can you be happy with a phone that facilitates only calls and messages?

BC: Isn't that what a phone's supposed to do? Besides, this phone has its own advantages...

AD: I'm all ears...

BC: Since it has none of the new-fangled technology, I hardly use it and the charge seems to last forever. Earlier, I had to charge my smartphone every morning...

AD: And now?

BC: I need to charge this mobile just once a week. I can't tell you how liberating it is... There's no fear of the battery dying on you midway through a call. 

AD: But that's no big deal - you can charge a mobile anywhere these days - in your car, from your laptop, at the airport or even in trains...

BC: And the old mobile is so sturdy. It has already fallen a few times in the past couple of weeks - there's not even a dent on it and it's working fine. These new smartphones are so flimsy that a little tap somewhere and the screen cracks, or the touch panel goes for a toss...

AD: They're sophisticated, so you need to handle them with care...

BC: I prefer the rugged phones – they are more suited for guys like me. It's not about carelessness - even if there's a little mishap, these modern phones have very little chance of surviving it...

AD: You have butter fingers and yet blame technology...

BC: Look, I can't help it - they are so unwieldy...

AD: What do you mean?

BC: When mobiles came in, the common crib was that they were bulky and huge. Soon, mobiles became sleeker and smaller. Remember that ad for Ericsson mobile?

AD: That 'one black coffee please’ ad? Yes, I've seen it on YouTube.

BC: Things could have stayed that way, but people were keen on using the phone to read text and surf the net, and so the screen started becoming bigger and bigger. Today, a 5-inch screen seems to be the norm...

AD: If it's smaller, you can't...

BC: ...check mail, operate your Facebook account, play games, watch movies... I don’t do any of that. But I find it difficult to handle these large-screen phones and carry them in my pocket. They can slip out any time - and you blame me instead...

AD: But you’re blaming technology…

BC: Think about it… On one hand, technology's trying to make things smaller - the laptop has become smaller and smaller until it's become a tablet in our hands. Handheld video games, CDs, thumb drives – they’re all getting smaller. But mobiles that were small are now getting bigger... I fail to understand the logic when bigger objects are getting more compact while the smaller ones are being blown up.

AD: It depends on the usage and convenience - why blame technology for it?

BC: Well, it's just funny that the latest mobiles now need a watch to operate them.

AD: You got it wrong. That's...

BC: I know, it’s just an accessory… But this whole trend of having an external device to help you operate your mobile could be a dangerous indication of things to come…

AD: Why do you say that?

BC: Well, it could probably mean that one day, the mobile is going to get as big as the TV and will need a remote to operate it.  

Whatsapp guys?

Rapidly changing technology is making it difficult to stay in touch with friends, laments an old-timer.

AD: Hi, why the long face?

BC: Never thought keeping in touch with friends could be such a problem...

AD: Well, technology helps those who help themselves, but in your case…

BC: I can’t help it - things are changing so rapidly that...

AD: For years, man has been toying around with the need for speed. And now that it has happened, your problem is that it's all going too fast...

BC: Not too long back, I was happy to be introduced to email...

AD: Not too long back? That must have been around 15-16 years ago!

BC: Look, you must realise what a challenge it was for me to make the transition from writing letters to typing mails. And just when I was getting comfortable with email, my friends introduced me to this abomination called a ‘chat room’ where we could enter and chat as a group...

AD: I’ve read about Yahoo! Chat Rooms being pretty popular back then...

BC: I found them too annoying because we would continuously be interrupted by strangers - some of them would be downright abusive and we would have to leave the chat room...

AD: Yes, but...

BC: That was not the only problem - we were all on dial-ups. Just as everyone would assemble in a chat room, one or more of us would lose our connection - we would then have to dial up again, log in and find our friends online. I always needed help with that...

AD: I know, dial-ups were quite fickle, weren't they?

BC: Then came messenger and my friends insisted that I should download a messenger...

AD: Which one did you use?

BC: Mostly Yahoo! Messenger and occasionally MSN. But when Google Talk came along, my entire batch moved to it...

AD: It's funny trying to visualise a set of senior citizens chasing one messenger after another and trying to stay in touch...

BC: You make it sound like dogs chasing postmen. The real issue here was that unlike email, there’s no compatibility between various service providers. If your friends shift to something new, you are forced to follow suit.

AD: That problem still exists – it’s the same even with social networking sites…

BC: The messenger challenge improved with web cams and microphones coming into the scene - suddenly we didn't have to type. Everything was visual and aural. I really enjoyed that...

AD: And?

BC: Facebook happened… And all my friends moved to it. I tried telling them that it was for kids and that we were too old to be seen there, but none of them would listen...

AD: So that was how you became a Facebook user.

BC: I didn't have a choice - it was the only place where I could find my friends...

AD: So what's the problem now?

BC: Ever since mobiles became internet-enabled, they've all switched to WhatsApp and...

AD: I’m waiting…

BC: Now, my mobile keeps hanging ever since I activated a data pack…

AD: Look, if you have a problem with everything, you'll find it difficult to keep pace with technology...

BC: I know. I'm most tempted to turn around and go back to the good old days...

AD: Too late - they've even phased out telegrams, so you're stuck...

BC: It’s annoying - the harder I try to keep in touch with my friends, the more isolated technology is making me feel...

AD: So what’re you going to do about it?

BC: I’m trying to get the group together at Bessy…

AD: Is that a new social networking site? Funny how I haven’t heard of it and you have… Did you google it and…

BC: Good heavens, I was referring to the beach in my neighbourhood. And you’re right in a way - long before the internet came into our lives, Bessy used to be the quintessential ‘site’ for social networking amongst the younger generation. 

I’m quitting, here’s my video

When you have technology on your side, you can dance your way out of a job, claims a tech fan.

BC: Hi, why the pained look?

AD: I've had enough of my job...

BC: So why don't you quit?

AD: Like Marina Shifrin?

BC: What do you mean?

AD: She worked for an animation company, and made a resignation video that featured her dancing to a popular track...

BC: Quite innovative, but why go through all that trouble?  

AD: I know, but her video has garnered almost 16 million hits online, making her famous the world over. Now she has also been offered a job by Queen Latifah - a singer, actor and producer in Hollywood – during a talk show on prime time TV.

BC: Looks like technology can make anyone famous these days. So how did her ex-employer handle this?

AD: They made their own video in response to hers, showcasing their cool working conditions…

BC: Now, that really takes the cake…

AD: In fact, Marina's video seems to be inspiring other people to make their 'I quit' videos – there’s one from Brenna Jennings, a work-from-home mother that has become a hit.

BC: I don’t know what to say…

AD: Well, there's more - after Queen Latifah, Y&R Israel, an international advertising agency offered her a job too, through a video that they uploaded on YouTube...

BC: Is the whole world going mad?

AD: Nope, it's just going viral. The Y&R video has had over 50,000 views and a few people asking if they could take up the job in case Marina refused it...

BC: Where's all this going?

AD: I don't know about that, but right now, the video's going places, the battle is going on in Twitter, and…

BC: …people are going crazy trying to find out which of the offers Marina will take up.

AD: Absolutely! And talking of Twitter, Paula Abdul, a famous singer who was a judge in American Idol for eight seasons, used the social media site to quit the show in 2009.

BC: Well, looks like technology is the ultimate beneficiary.

AD: How do you say that?

BC: YouTube is having millions of hits from all these videos, Facebook and Twitter are being kept busy, and...

AD: We used technology in a different way in my earlier job - we had four templates for resignation letters stashed away in the company’s server and no one knew about it.

BC: Why four?

AD: Each had a different opening, a different closing line and a different reason for quitting. Employees could take their pick and then print it out, with suitable modifications. Tell me, would this be possible without technology?

BC: Such a furore over quitting a job - heaven help us...

AD: But there have been other instances as well - there was this designer who sent an error message as his resignation letter to his boss, with buttons for Ignore, Renegotiate and HR...

BC: I’m just happy that I don't have to work in this crazy world.

AD: It would have been a funny sight to see you quit like this in your times…

BC: What do you mean?

AD: Without digital cameras and digital storage media, you would have had to use archaic movie cameras to shoot yourself, add audio to the tapes, carry huge spools of film to the office and leave it on your boss's table, just to tell him that you are quitting. And your boss would have had to hire a projector and a screen, shut out the lights and watch the film to know that you've quit…

BC: Technology was backward back then...

AD: Perhaps, but now, all it takes to get your boss to see your resignation video is an upload onto a social networking site - and a forward. 

Password? It’s at my fingertip!

Technology has moved passwords from the tip of your tongue to the tip of your fingers, claims a tech fan.

AD: Hey, do you know that Apple is coming out with a new typewriter called iType?

BC: What???

AD: Now that I have your attention, here’s the real news – Apple has launched the iPhone 5s with Touch ID.

BC: What's that?

AD: Amazing how your question remains unchanged regardless of whether it’s a typewriter or an iPhone. Touch ID is a biometric system that uses your fingerprint as a security device to unlock your mobile. So your fingerprint becomes your digital signature or your password...

BC: But what if I hurt my fingers? What if they're bandaged or have a plaster on them? What if I nick them while...

AD: Hold on, you can record up to five fingerprints, so any of them can be used.

BC: But think of all those people who use their hands and their fingers at work - musicians, homemakers who cook and wash, writers who type non-stop... So what'll they use if their fingers get worn out - their pet's paw print?

AD: Well, a cat's paw print has already been used to unlock the 5s, but that’s because it was registered as one of the five possible impressions that can unlock the phone.

BC: So how long does it take to unlock a phone using Touch ID?

AD: Possibly a second - the amazing part is that you don't have to place the finger in the same way that you did when you registered the fingerprint. The sensor is smart enough to detect the impression from any angle...

BC: Computers, phones, digital music players, tablets - and now fingerprint recognition. I can't see where Apple is going with this...

AD: In fact, Apple planned for this over a year ago and bought over a company called AuthenTec, which specialises in fingerprint readers and ID management software.

BC: But is it safe? There are so many instances of hacking that we read about...

AD: Ok, a hacking team that calls itself the Chaos Computer Club seems to have confirmed your worst fears - it claims to have cracked the security system and has even posted videos of how it went about it. This happened less than three days after the launch... And wipe that smug expression off your face.

BC: So how has the response been to Touch ID and to the 5s?

AD: According to reports, over six million customers have ordered the 5s in the first weekend of its launch...

BC: Great, so that's six million fingerprints, and with five options each, it's 30 million in all. Where are all these fingerprints stored?

AD: I see where you're going with this. Your fingerprints are digitally encrypted and stored in your mobile's processor, so in case you think Apple has access to them or that they are all stored in a central server, waiting to be hacked...

BC: But I still don't understand all this fuss over unlocking a phone.

AD: Isn't using your finger to unlock the device a lot simpler than entering a 4-digit passcode each time?

BC: There have been other instances where fingerprint authentication has been tried out, but has not proved to be very successful...

AD: The latest technology is fine-tuning the whole process. It's not just Apple - other mobile manufacturers are also throwing in their lot with fingerprint identity sensors. Computers and tablets are also following suit...

BC: So what happens if I've left my mobile home and my wife wants to use it?

AD: There's always a backup - you can opt to use the regular passcode, as with all iPhones. In fact, there's also an option by which you can choose to disable Touch ID.

BC: With half the world choosing to use 1234 as the passcode, I'm not sure which is scarier of the two – a finger that's broken or a security feature that can easily be broken into.

When the office comes home...

‘Technology has made it possible to bring the office home, but can it keep the two apart?’ An old-timer wonders...

BC: Hi, what's the matter? It's almost noon and you still haven't gone to work...

AD: Actually, I'm at work.

BC: I don't understand...

AD: I'm going to be telecommuting for the next six months...

BC: Tele-what? Is that what they do in Star Trek when they magically appear in some other place?

AD: No, that's teleportation. Telecommuting is about working from home – or any remote location - with the help of technology…

BC: What's new about that? Even when you sit in your office, you use a lot of technology...

AD: Precisely! That’s why companies have now begun to allow employees to work from home. They can reach us by mail or over the phone. Or I could get on to Skype or a chat session. Teleconferencing, video conferences, file sharing – I can do them all from home. And at the end of the day, I wrap up and mail my work across and that's that.

BC: I can't imagine working from home.

AD: Why not?

BC: Because to me, home is an area of calm. It’s the place I come back to after weathering many a storm – at the workplace, at client meetings and in traffic. If you're going to drag the office home, you're bringing along the stress and the pressures of work to your bedroom. So how are you…

AD: Well, with laptops, smartphones and tablets, work moved into our homes long before you realised it. So why not formalise the arrangement?

BC: But how do you end a working day? Where do you draw the line between work and personal life when both are fighting to coexist in the same place?

AD: That calls for time management and good planning. Besides, look at the positives - no more strenuous drives in peak hours, no more traffic jams, no more office politics…

BC: For years, man has been deputing technology to do his work for him. And somewhere along the way, technology has made a backdoor entry into his house and has programmed his life in a way that, instead of waking up and checking out the sunrise from his window, he ends up booting up Windows and checking his mails as soon as he gets up.

AD: But you can spend more time with the family, both because you can work from home and because you save time on commutes.

BC: You're kidding me! You'll probably use up all that time updating your status messages and checking out forwards...

AD: Look at other positives - you don't have to dress up any longer to go to work. I'm sure you would have liked that...

BC: In fact, half the people these days look like they crawled out of bed and went straight to work. Regardless of all that you say, I foresee lots of problems with working from home...

AD: Like what?

BC: You can't call in sick. You can't crib about your boss. You can't catch up on watercooler gossip. You'll never know how much the next guy is making...

AD: As always, you need to find something to crib about, don't you? Besides, this is not about you. The current generation loves it, so...

BC: I'm sure they do. I'm also sure that school kids these days must be wondering why their folks are forever having that zombie expression on their faces and are lounging around all day at home in their nightclothes while they have to wear their uniforms and go to school, five days a week. I’m not sure if they’ll thank technology for it.

AD: Despite all that you say, more and more people are now getting inspired to work from home…

BC: Guess I need to start going to the office too…

AD: I thought you were retired…

BC: I was. But, now that your generation is going to work from home, I guess workplaces will be a lot more peaceful...

When earthlings turn Martians

‘Technology finally gives mankind an out-of-this-world experience – in Mars,’ announces a tech fan.

AD: Hi, did you apply to go to Mars?

BC: Do you know that it’s a one-way ticket? Why would anyone want to go there?

AD: Landing on the moon was nothing more than a Tintin adventure for decades, until it really happened. As for Mars, it has been the subject of several sci-fi movies and spoofs, until Mars One announced this trip…

BC: It sounds more like a horror movie – imagine people volunteering, knowing that they’ll never return! News has it that arrangements will be done to cremate those who die there...

AD: Initially, 40 candidates will be shortlisted and trained, from which four will finally make it. So why would anyone want to miss out on this chance?

BC: Haven't you read about the Mars curse? There have been so many missions to Mars in the past decades that have failed at various stages...

AD: Perhaps technology will evolve enough in the coming decade to undo the curse and also prolong lives...

BC: In that case, why don't you use technology and find a way to bring the space passengers back? Surely, you are aware that the reason they're staying on is because we haven't figured out a way of powering the return journey...

AD: You never know - they might come up with something by then. Can you believe that the application fee is between $25 and $38, depending on the country one is from? That's probably cheaper than a video game featuring a Martian attack...

BC: But I read that the mission will cost over $6 billion... They will probably need half the United States to apply, for them to cover the costs....

AD: While the reports say that over 165,000 have already applied, I'm not sure how many more will, because the maiden flight will carry only two males and two females. However, they're planning to follow it up with a second flight in 2025.

BC: All these numbers and dates make my head spin - are these guys serious? Is this really going to happen? It sounds like a George Lucas film that's coming to life...

AD: Apparently, a couple of commercial cargo missions have already been made. Besides, they're going to start various missions to Mars to create a settlement there, sometime in 2016. The landing systems will also be tested several times to ensure that all goes well...

BC: What happens if they fall sick or if there's an emergency?

AD: Well, they'll have to handle it themselves...

BC: Are you telling me that while cremation facilities are being made, there will be no medical facilities?

AD: Look, you can't plan for contingencies, but you can plan for certainties, right? But jokes apart, the chosen candidates will be given training for around seven years. Do you know that over 8000 Indians have applied?

BC: Can't blame them. Think of the rising fuel costs - $25 can't cover a person’s fuel costs for a week, but now...

AD: ...it can get him to Mars.

BC: Right! And how long does it take to reach Mars?

AD: Around seven months.

BC: And once they're gone, how will the world know about them?

AD: There will be extensive media coverage, and everything from the shortlisting of astronauts and the final selection, to their voyage will be covered by the electronic media.

BC: So that's the miracle that technology's giving you - a one-way space voyage and a long-lasting reality show on TV. What about Facebook updates? I can see a ‘Yuck, Mars is so dusty’ message coming up…

AD: Stop being cynical about it. Isn't this expedition bringing together the best of science, telecom, space technology and...?

BC: More than what it brings together, I'm excited about what it can take away...

AD: I don't get you.

BC: How about nominating all those people you don't want to see on earth? Isn't it a great way to clean up the planet?

When newspapers make headlines…

Evolving technology and changing habits are making things tougher for newspapers, claims a tech fan.

BC: What do you think the future will be like?

AD: What happened? Read something terrible in the newspapers today?

BC: No, I read something terrible about the newspapers today.

AD: What do you mean?

BC: Well, newspapers formally began their journey with printed editions in the late 1600s. 300 years later, they extended their reach to the online medium. Soon, we began to have digital versions of newspapers. And now, we’ve reached a point where online newspapers have more takers...

AD: That's because they’re more convenient and certainly more updated...

BC: As a result, the print version began to vanish and web-only newspapers began to thrive. And now, we hear websites buying over newspapers - a far cry from the days when newspapers powered news portals to extend their presence online...

AD: Ok, now I get it... You're obviously upset by Jeff Bezos buying over Washington Post.

BC: But Bezos is not the first tech celebrity to buy a newspaper - Chris Hughes, the co-founder of Facebook bought The New Republic, but...

AD: What are you trying to say?

BC: Technology played a crucial role in ruining the newspaper industry - and now you claim it is rushing to the aid of a struggling newspaper.

AD: Look at it this way - if Bezos plans to marry tradition and technology, we could then have ‘The Washington E-Post’, a futuristic e-paper that could look like something straight out of a Harry Potter book or a Spielberg movie...

BC: I don't think the value of a newspaper can be expressed enough to this generation. When I was working, I remember starting the day with the front pages, reserving the sports and entertainment sections for the train ride to my client's place, and finally solving the crossword, word jumble and other puzzles on my way back from work. By the end of the day, I would have pored through every section of the paper...

AD: Look, it's about business and profits, not about emotions and nostalgia... Besides, who has the time for that today?

BC: Today's generation has all the time in the world for forwards, for posting status messages about burnt toast and for checking their status updates a hundred times a day, but then, where's the time to read a newspaper?

AD: But they’re getting their news feed by the minute on their mobiles - accept the fact that newspapers are losing out to their smarter e-versions…

BC: How can newspapers compete with an adversary that offers services free of cost? In fact, it is a double whammy because with more people preferring digital newspapers worldwide, the traditional print media is not only losing its readership, but also its advertising revenue - with readership dropping, advertisers are also moving away towards the electronic media.

AD: How can you blame them for moving towards where the eyeballs are? Besides, this is nothing new. Radio was challenged by TV, which is being challenged by the internet. It's all about reinventing yourself and keeping pace with the times...

BC: What rankles the industry is the fact that people can go straight to Google News and get all the news they want, free of cost. It's like a free online library...

AD: Google is actually directing readers to different newspaper sites - according to statistics, the site facilitates around six billion hits to various newspaper sites.

BC: But at the rate at which things are going, Google might be playing a much bigger role than we can ever imagine.

AD: How?

BC: All along, we used Google to search for news and information. Now, we might have to use it to locate the whereabouts of the newspapers that are vanishing from the scene.

The day the music died…

An old-timer cribs about the one thing that music can do without, but is forced to live with – technology.

AD: Hey, what are you listening to?

BC: Some vintage wonders from the 60s. They simply don't...

AD: ...make such music any more, right?

BC: It's clichéd, but true, isn't it? There's something so simple and nice about those songs that makes you want to close your eyes and lose yourself in them...

AD:  Why would you want to compare music from two different eras?

BC: Technology is the key difference - its excessive use is bringing down the standard of music today, especially in the movies...

AD: Why do you say that?

BC: Music seems to be created more by computers and software than by composers today. Back then, we had songs played out by large orchestras. Imagine all those violins and flutes and...

AD: Today's music is snappy and is obviously loved by the present generation, otherwise it wouldn't continue to exist.

BC: But there's no soul in most of the songs we hear today. They don't draw you into their world... Synthetic, metallic and noisy are the kind of adjectives that one would choose to describe today's music...

AD: Those are sweeping statements, probably based on what you've listened to... Movie songs are so vastly different across languages... the south possibly prefers music with a local flavour, while Hindi numbers are getting increasingly westernized...

BC: But technology has changed the way music is composed - so much of it is pre-programmed and the focus seems to be on mixing it right and not on creating fresh music.

AD: If not for technology, a lot of old-world music could be lost forever... Thanks to digital technology, several songs that would otherwise have been wiped out have been restored. There was an interesting article a couple of months back about how scientists used X-rays to restore a 200-year old opera...

BC: Ah, it must have revealed the skeletal structure of the song… But seriously speaking, I don’t have a problem with technology. It’s only that we seem to rely so heavily on it to...

AD: And what about the treasure trove of old songs that video sites like YouTube offers us? Practically every song and every piece of music that you would want to listen to or search for is available online...

BC: iTunes' library is equally impressive...

AD: Even accessing these songs has become simpler, as these songs are forwarded and shared many times over on social networking sites...

BC: I have a friend who shares old songs with little gems of information about them on Facebook...

AD: I know, I get those links too. And what about mobile downloads? You don't even have to carry a CD player any longer - your mobile has become your personal music player...

BC: Today, iPods and mp3 players have wiped out the music stores and several CD labels…

AD: And all those services with free downloads will eat into the market share of paid services like iTunes, Deezer and Spotify. That’s the point - technology keeps evolving, but the music continues…

BC: I recall an article that talked about a cellular service provider making more money through song downloads than music companies...

AD: That's right. Can you imagine the joy of carrying a thousand songs in your pocket?

BC: The problem is that when you get addicted to downloads, quantity scores over the finer aspects of a song. I get the feeling that people are spending more time downloading songs than they are, listening to them.

AD: But think of the advantages - there was a time when you had to hunt around for LP records or wait for the radio to play your favourite songs. But now, you can download them in about a minute.

BC: That timeframe is quite significant.

AD: Why, because downloads have become that fast?

BC: No, because that's all the time that people remember a song for. After that, it's time to move on to the next big chartbuster...

When technology goes for a six

With all the slips made by the DRS, is technology simply ending up becoming a silly point in cricket?

BC: Hi, have you been following the England vs Australia test series?

AD: Sad to see Australia’s journey downhill, but if there's something that's become a hotter topic of discussion than the Ashes, it's...

BC: ...the Decision Review System.

AD: Absolutely. But I still don't get what the fuss is all about.

BC: Well, the game was getting along fine without the intrusion of technology. But now, it’s kicked up a nasty storm...

AD: If you had followed the tests, you would know that there was human error as well. For instance, if someone forgets to activate Hot Spot and keeps it in the replay mode, how can you blame technology? Likewise, if the third umpire makes a mistake in interpreting the DRS, why is it the fault of...

BC: Look, the system was never 100% accurate to start with.

AD: Are you telling me that you will adopt technology only if it's perfect? So your mobile has never suffered signal drops, your laptop has never crashed, your hard disk has never...

BC: They do, but I don't let them decide anything for me, the way DRS is allowed to in cricket. Besides, cricket has this glorious uncertainty that's getting marred by programming technology into it.

AD: Are you suggesting that we go backwards and remove DRS from the game?

BC: But if it doesn't work satisfactorily, what's the point in holding on to it?

AD: Imagine what would have happened had the corporate world rejected computers in the 1940s because they were the size of a room, or if households rejected the PC in the 80s because it had less than 30MB of storage space...

BC: So what's your point?

AD: Technology evolves over the years - we need to give it both space and time...

BC: But think of the controversies until then - remember the 2011 World Cup? There were so many issues back then too...

AD: Look, DRS is meant to be a combination of various technologies, including Hot Spot and Hawk Eye, but for various reasons, Hot Spot was never implemented during the World Cup.

BC: They used super slow motion replays and stump mikes…

AD: How can you expect a system to work if all its components are not in place? Isn't it our mistake that we don't do things the right way and then scream blue murder when they go wrong?

BC: I would still maintain that life was simpler before DRS…

AD: Okay, let me put it this way. On TV, you use technology to get up close and show every little nick and miss, right down to the tiniest millimetre by which a bowler has overstepped or a batsman has fallen short of his crease. If you don't use the same technology to determine whether the batsman is out or not, you will infuriate the fans who will feel hard done by the umpire.

BC: But that's how cricket has always been played. Besides, neutral umpires were introduced to get rid of the home team bias...

AD: Instead of complaining about technology, why can't the umpires and the players be trained to use it better? Besides, technology is already in use by umpires to determine run outs, no-balls, stumpings and illegitimate catches caught after the ball bounced – so what’s wrong in extending it to lbws and other forms of dismissals as well?

BC: You'll have to ask the ICC that. But if the DRS continues, it might pose a health hazard to the Aussies…

AD: How is that?

BC: They are the ones who seem badly affected by it. And with all that exposure to infrared technology and heat signatures, the Australian cricketers may not go home with the Ashes – but they sure could leave with a lot of rashes. 

Quiet please - technology at play

The eclectic mix of tradition and technology is what makes Wimbledon so special, claims a tech fan.

AD: Hi there, feeling sad that Wimbledon's over?

BC: I was looking forward to another Federer - Nadal final, but...

AD: Well, it doesn't matter who plays, but as far as I'm concerned, technology seems to be winning hands down these days.

BC: Why can't you just watch the game for the game’s sake? Besides, Wimbledon has always been the domain of traditionalists – don’t tell me the geeks have taken over…

AD: But…

BC: So which aspect of technology are you referring to? The one used for the line call?

AD: It's called Hawkeye.

BC: The same system used in cricket?

AD: Yes, isn’t it unbelievable? Ball tracking, simulation and graphics all come together in a fraction of a second...

BC: And what happened to that one-eyed giant who was monitoring the lines and the net?

AD: Cyclops? That technology has been retired, in favour of a more visual aid...

BC: I'm sure some former players would be sore that they had to put up with the loud beeps that would shatter the silence and make people jump out of their skins...

AD: Well, there’s silence only if the likes of Serena Williams or Sharapova are not playing – their grunts have broken several decibel records. But the former players have several other things to feel jealous about...

BC: Like what?

AD: IBM has been closely associated with Wimbledon and has created programs for player stats, match analysis and performance analysis, all of which are helping both players and coaches, big time. In fact, they launched a service called Player Report back in 1994, which analysed the strengths and weaknesses of players...

BC: So players can not only better their own game, but also study their opponents.

AD: Absolutely, and in 1999, they installed displays for the speed guns, which made spectators gasp with disbelief when the likes of Kafelnikov and Greg Rusedski boomed at over 200 kmph.

BC: I still remember Sampras' comprehensive victory over Agassi in that final...

AD: What about the 2008 epic final when Nadal beat Federer? That was the year when Wimbledon scores could be tracked online...

BC: That was a heck of a match, but I thought the Wimbledon website had come up before 2008...

AD: I was referring to SlamTracker, a system that used player patterns and past records to enable fans to play a more active role while watching matches. As for the website, the official Wimbledon site came up in 1995.

BC: I still remember watching McEnroe versus Borg in my black & white TV, in the early 80s...

AD: We’ve come a long way from there. Today, you can follow all the action on your mobile. 2009 saw the first iPhone app for Wimbledon and this year, the iPad app has been launched – reports have it that it has some really exciting video content and camera angles...

BC: That's good news for the fans...

AD: Well, even the umpires benefitted from technology – computerized score pads were introduced in 1999.

BC: But technology being used to update scores is not new.

AD: In that case, how would you react to technology that measures players' energy levels and stamina, their movement across the court, their speed and many other aspects of their performance? It's called SecondSight.

BC: Talking of stamina, I must confess that it’s getting increasingly exhausting.

AD: You’re referring to the five setters, aren’t you, like the one between Djokovic and del Potro?

BC: No, I was talking about keeping pace with technology, for fans like me. By the time we set up all these gadgets, tune in to the match, study the stats available, analyse the data and arrive at our conclusions, we will be more tired than these magnificent men in their epic five-setters.