In Technology We Trust

With the uncertainty concerning our economy, employment and critical industry it is pretty fair to say we are in dire straits right now. If that is not enough, gender-based violence, xenophobia and civil unrest makes for an unstable society on all levels. However, it feels like there is more to all of this, something that feels missing but ever present.

History tends to useful in terms of similar events that took place and the information the higher the statistical probability that certain events have a higher chance of occurring than others. When it comes to technology though, indicators of what might happen is less reliable main in part because computational technology have not been around for that long and the speed and progress is exponential. Furthermore, the number of consumers using technology outnumbers those who’s occupation technologically orientated by far.

Being a technologist is pretty helpful, that is, when sufficient information is available from reputable sources. Then I read an articles on businesstech.co.za that touch on something so critical but so easy to neglect and much ‘what will likely happen in the coming months’ clicked.

See the article addressed automation and explain why almost half of SA jobs will be replaced by automation. Recently the major banks in SA almost protested simply because of the impact Online Banking will have on employees. Online banking is a good example of automation for those who are not sure what it implies in terms of computational technology. You can do payments, check balances, purchase airtime, prepaid electricity to name but a handful of things. However, consider just the basics of banking, paying bills, cashing in cheques or transferring funds. These were once something that required a Bank Employee to help and assist with, such is no longer the case.

Internet Banking can be done around the clock, can be done without risking physical safety and is by far less time consuming to name just some benefits. The benefits outweigh the downsides by far not just for the person using the service but also for the bank. I mentioned some benefits in terms of the user. In terms of Banks, they require far less employees, meaning reduced costs in terms of salaries, less concerns about employees who fall ill, less risk in terms of safety for their branches and employees (robberies do happen and sometimes things get ugly), some employees are downright unfriendly and that might cost the Bank a user.

It is not because banks or automation is evil, it is simply because it turns out to be the best solution.

Some may remember that some decades ago when the telephone was new, yes those old bulky systems. Initially the person dialled the call centre where an operator would connect the caller with the receiver. So, at first it was expensive and telecoms did not know if this method of communication was even going to be successful, but it was, it revolutionized the way people communicate, eventually telecom owners had to employ more operators to scale with the number of users. Eventually, the number of users and demand on operators caused much problems such as not getting through to dispatch or even then an operator could connect you to the wrong person, costing you money and time. So, it was only a matter of time before a technologist saw this as an opportunity to automate the process. When it did, the same happened, lots of people lost their jobs and it was simply because this automation allowed anyone to connect with anyone else at anytime without the need of an operator and thus allowed for telephone calls to become much less expensive. 

It is about the most optimal solution, even more so in times of crisis. It is the natural way we have always been doing things. In terms of Banks there already exists some which do not have branches save perhaps for their main office. The rest is handled completely autonomously. So just like what happened with telephony, so will the case be with Online Banking, it is an inevitable situation. There are far to many users now relying on this way of doing financial related tasks even those who would like to protest, most of them use Online Banking as well.

Bottomline is and will always be to adapt to change. Willing to learn new skills, or even better, become skilled in what the current living standard and workplace in general require. Complaining will not work and history is pretty clear about that.

However, automation applies wheresoever something can be automated, it is not restricted to any sector or industry. There are devices, fully automated that can out perform surgeons in terms of dexterity, precision, speed and accuracy already, maybe not in SA yet but other countries. In fact, if you research automation where the goal is to replace their human counterpart and you do so without being biased you will release that mostly it is because it is simply because it is the most effective solution in terms of function, safety and cost. It really does not matter what your vocation is, if it can be equalled by computational autonomous devices then it will soon be the option the majority of companies will choose.

While unemployment is the result of many factors, especially when a country has a GDP of almost zero, there are many opportunities that can cause economic growth and business people will likely agree that entrepreneurship is a good option since those who succeed add to the employment and economic growth.

However, with the above in mind, it is important to note that, technology no longer follow’s Moore’s Law (roughly stating since its inception in 1970 that overall processing power of computational devices increases every two years), instead technology is advancing exponentially in speed, intelligence and complexity. This is scientifically and statistically correct. Thus, invariably more and more people will have to adapt to make a living.

They say one can never be certain about anything, the only certainty is that someday we will all die. I disagree, I believe that ‘change’ is a certainty in the global scope of things. Those who do not adapt to these changes will as with all things simply be a thing of the past. I also believe that trying to adapt to change given the challenges is futile if attempted by those who so strongly believe in individualism. Community and working together is as much valid as it was over 100 000 years back. History proves this point time and again

Few have been through three industrial revolutions and currently we are going through the fourth however, where the previous revolutions were easy to adapt to, such is not the case with what is happening right now. I do not see this as negative; I see it as beneficial because learning something new, practising or adapting your artform (or if you want work methodology) and doing so with all the new ways we have available to us to accomplish these things is actually significantly positive.

While, survival of the fittest is still true, gone are the days where you had to be stronger, faster and taller to survive, such is no longer the case, I would repurpose the term to say, the fittest are those who are willing to adapt to change, is mutable, cooperative, responsible and most importantly tough. Our universe is dominated by entropy (extremely simply put in Chaos Theory, high entropy results in disorder and destruction). The only way to lower entropy is when people work together for the mutual benefit of the community. Fear is self-serving, always in a state of needing more, doing it ‘their way or the highway’, never at fault and often seem like they know it all, oh and often state ‘I don’t play well with others’, cute but stupid. Love on the other hand is the opposite and inline with entropy that which actually lowers it. 

It seems dark, full of gloom and doom, if the above was of no benefit then we have to remember, as little as 50 years ago we did not have computers, mobile devices, few had vehicles, there were no such thing as TV to name a few things did not exist. It is hard to imagine what would not be possible within the next 15 years. Whatever it will be, will be different, so much so as sending someone back 100 years in time, to experience just how different everything back then used to be. From politics to law to social engagements, they would feel out of place and possible be driven to sheer madness.

Lastly, technology is here to stay, it will not be going anywhere. Technology can be abused but you realize you can also take someone else’s eye with something as simple as a pen. Globally automation and the unimaginable pace of technological progress do feel like an existential crisis and many do see it as such, but I see it as an opportunity. But we collectively have to stop with all the petty nonsense we entertain daily because given the much bigger picture, it is trivial. When I say people should stop advocating the idea of individualism. Independence is not the same thing, even then, people think, to be independent is to be self-sufficient while true to a certain degree, independence counts for nothing if s/he do not get the idea of community. This article is most definitely not intended for narcissists but then again true narcissists, is either already on the ‘endangered species’ list or close to it.

Might be worthwhile to mention that it takes only 3.5% (also referred to as the 3.5 percent rule) of a group to change the outcome.

Thank you for taking your time to read my article.