There was time-not very long ago-that page A2 of a major metropolitan newspaper was reserved for matters of great import including missing aviators, casualty reports, human rights matters, prizes awarded and so forth. Recently, in my town’s leading daily page two sported the headline: ” Ready for 5 G Transformation.” I am missing something.
The article tells us the good news that fifth generation wireless technology will speed our access to the internet, you can download apps, have a common language for social media and finally experience, “seamless navigation.” Does this mean better pictures of kitties and kids, faster gratification of our grievances and more-and more vivid emojis? Are we being swept up in the fevered dream of group of software engineers? To be fair the article does pose the critical question but makes no attempt to answer it. The question is simple and telling, ” is 5G overhyped?” Yes.
While the Amazon rainforest burns and our leaders fiddle are we to take comfort in the fact that our streaming abilities are enhanced?
I do get the fact that all technologies have a momentum that will not be denied and in many cases the refinements to technological systems are wildly beneficial. Everything from surgery to hiring a roofer has been enhanced by refinements of technology. But what does improved speed with your cell phone actually deliver?
But this refinement is not of the type. The article has this caveat, ” Any terrestrial broadband provider runs the risk of becoming a dump pipe that others such as Netflix leverage to make money.” Indeed.
Are we being served or bombarded.
I am not suggesting that we return to cans on a string , or smoke signals, but I also feel that enough is more than enough. We can, of course, sell more phone upgrades, goods, services and pure nonsense. I strongly feel the need to throw the sabot into this machinery…can’t you just leave us alone for a moment.
Good old capitalism will not give us a moments rest as we are constantly harassed by the next best thing and I am not invested in whether or not we will win the struggle with Huawei.
Oh well, perhaps I am getting too old for all this…if I fall asleep while reading my book just turn out the light. I don’t have clap on/ clap off technology either.
Olio Folio 