An in depth look at the future of communication technology.

1. Communication
Technology
2024
COMM 303-50
Samantha Satterly

2. Retracing Our Steps
• Diffusion of Innovations Theory:
Knowledge, Persuasion, Accept/Reject,
Implementation, Confirmation
According to the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, innovations
are typically not accepted all at once, rather, the adoption takes
place over time. This explains how one mode of communication
may die out, while new innovations thrive. When we review the
recent innovations over the last decade, each innovation was
accepted into society over a period of time.
Initially, innovators are the first to adopt the innovation,
followed by early adopters, the early majority, the late
majority and finally, the laggards. But in order for the
innovation to successfully become implemented within
society, it must present a new benefit to the adopters.

3. The “New” Benefits of the Last
10 Years
• Global Positioning Satellites
• Social Networking Websites
• iPhone Sparks “Smart Phone” Craze
• Rise of File Sharing & Importing
• Search Engine Empires
• Video Calling Diminishes Geographical
Barriers in Communication
• Paperless, Touchless, Wireless

4. Implementation
As aforementioned, in order for
an innovation to be effectively
adopted within society, it must
present a new benefit to the
consumers. Although, this is not
the final transition for which
innovations become successful.
The Critical Mass Theory explains that the greater the number of
participants, the greater the effectiveness of specific technologies.
This goal is referred to as “universal access”. When we think about text
messaging, social networking sites, and user-generated content such
as Wikipedia, the effects of these communication technologies would
not be as vast without the participation of a great number of users.

5. Where We are Heading
While the onset of
technology-mediated
technology has provided
countless conveniences
to society, there are many
drawbacks that should also
be assessed with the onset
of the technological era.
With the majority of our communication exchanges
and interactions occurring through technology, the
quality and quantity of face-to-face interactions will
begin to decline, as society will continue to live their
lives through a screen.

6. Voice Activated Technology
As technology advances,
consumers are
becoming more and more
reliant on the conveniences
of technology. Within the
next ten years, more and more
applications will utilize voice-activated
technology. Technology will
appear as a reliable tool, and
something controllable.

7. Principle of Relative Constancy
In order to project where we are going, it is
essential to examine where we have been. The
Principle of Relative Constancy suggests that
individuals spend a “constant fraction” of their
earnings on mass media.
Over time, when new technology is
introduced, the technology must be more
appealing than the previous alternative. This
explains how one communication medium may
“die out” while newer mediums flourish.

8. Death of Written Communication
In the next 10 years, the art of physically
written communication will greatly decline.
Children will no longer be taught to put a
pencil to paper, or to read a chapter in a
textbook, but rather, schools will implement
pure technological lessons into their curriculum.
Furthermore, lessons will be focused on
computer-mediated communication, as
opposed to oral or written communication.

9. Global Positioning Satellites
Global Positioning Satellite technologies have provided
great ease to the average daily commuter. With real time
traffic updates and weather forecasts, we are better able
to prepare for our daily travels. Furthermore, we are able
to quickly search the closest needed services to our
current location.
Today, it is much more convenient to
simply send someone an address and utilize
GPS services as opposed to verbally giving
directions. I believe that in the next 10 years,
there will be many advances with the use of
GPS technology, not all of which will be
considered beneficial.

10. The Future of GPS
All vehicles will come equipped with GPS services, which will allow
automobile insurances to access one’s travels in order to properly
gauge mileage and to set insurance rates for individuals.
Furthermore, GPS services will be directly fed to local police, fire,
and EMS services in order to ensure the quickest possible reaction
time to crashes, emergencies, and stalled vehicles.
Informationweek.com
Finally, vehicles will be able to
“communicate” with one another while
traveling. For instance, vehicles will
verbally alert drivers when another
driver has utilized their turn signal
and is merging into your lane.
“Red Ford Focus, merging into center
lane.”

11. Decline of Interpersonal Human
Communication
Linkedin.com
With the recent introduction of
“Jibo”, the first social robot
technology, individuals will place
more emphasis on technological
relationships as opposed to human
interactions.
Technology, such as Jibo, will allow us
to communicate to one another
through our home robot systems. For
example, we will be able to command
this technology to communicate to
others for us.
“Call John and tell him I’m running
late.”

12. Dependency of Technology-
Mediated Communication
After the adoption of robot technology, such as
Jibo, has been successful, our dependence on such
technology will greaten. There will no longer be a
need to memorize important information, as
technology will have the capabilities to not only
memorize and store this data, but will be available
to us at a moments notice.
There will be no need for phone books, memo pads,
paper calendars, or reminders, as the home robot
technology will be able to provide all of this
information to us.

13. Robotic home
technologies (such as
Jibo) will serve as a multi-purpose
innovation. This
technology will be a
morning alarm clock, will
sync to coffee makers to
start the brew, alert
individuals of traffic and
weather concerns prior to
leaving the house, and
furthermore, will have
the capabilities to call or
text an individual in order
to remind them of
important meetings and
appointments. This
technology will also serve
as an at-home-security
service.

14. Technology and Interpersonal
Relationships
The Social Information Processing Theory suggests that
communication is most effective when the medium
used best matches the relationship between
communicators.
“Face-to-face communications is the highest in social
presence and information richness.”
pg. 26

15. Effects of Technology on Human
Interaction
In the next decade, communication technologies will
advance to a point that face-to-face communication
will become obsolete. There will simply be less of a
need for it, as individuals will send and receive
messages purely
through
technological
means, thereby
depleting the
quality of social
interactions.

16. Communication, Technology, and
Consumerism
In the future decade, the means by which consumers receive
media messages will drastically change. Our news will no longer
be received through newspapers, but rather, through
technology. Furthermore, advertisers will invest more money for
technologically mediated promotions, as opposed to print ads.
Since the majority of individuals will utilize the Internet for their
communication exchanges, they will be spending a considerable
amount of time utilizing technology.
Therefore, companies will attempt to cash in on the
opportunity for monetary gain. Our search patterns will
be closely monitored in order for advertisers to offer
products based on your personal taste preference. More
and more transactions will occur via the Internet, with no
need for paper receipts.

17. Trends in Paperless
Communication Customercommunications.com

18. Convenient or Crippling?
According to an article from CNN,
many psychologists fear that “recording
everything you do takes people out of the
‘here and now’,”.
Furthermore, psychologists are curious as
to the effects of technological dependence on
the human mind.
“We rely on technology for documenting,
sorting and storing information… what
will become of our minds?”
With the overwhelming access to information that the
Internet provides, individuals will become more and more
intellectually lethargic, to the point where mankind will no
longer depend on our own mental capabilities.

19. The Illusion of Privacy
In ten years, every aspect of our personal
lives will be monitored. Currently, companies are
able to monitor our online purchases and search
history in order to better target consumers. It seems
as though every facet of our lives are being
monitored, from our reading habits to phone
records, text messages, and emails. Now, many
companies are “going green” and allowing medical
records and receipts to be digitally formatted.
While many individuals argue that these actions are a direct
infringement upon our right to privacy, the signing of the Patriot Act
covered all legal aspects of these actions. In 10 years, privacy will be
an illusion, as every facet of our lives will be monitored.

20. Conclusion?
Introducing Communication
Technology in 2024:
Smart Technology & Stupid People

21. The End

22. References & Image Sources
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Focal Press.
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http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/top-10-innovations-decade/
story?id=9204931
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http://customercommunications.com/electronic-adoption/
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• http://www.justice.gov/archive/ll/highlights.htm
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• http://www.Informationweek.com
• http://www.wallpaperswa.com