Chapter 1. LaunchPad for Media and Culture 11e
Digital Update Activity: Our Connectivity to the Internet
Digital Update Activity: Our Connectivity to the Internet
The Pew Research Center’s 2017 study “The Internet of Things Connectivity Binge” surveyed more than a thousand technologists, scholars, and practitioners on the implications of ever-increasing connectivity to the Internet in our everyday lives.Reference 1. Here is the question that the Pew Center asked their large group of experts:
As billions more everyday objects are connected in the Internet of Things, they are sending and receiving data that enhances local, national and global systems as well as individuals’ lives. But such connectedness also creates exploitable vulnerabilities. As automobiles, medical devices, smart TVs, manufacturing equipment and other tools and infrastructure are networked, is it likely that attacks, hacks or ransomware concerns in the next decade will cause significant numbers of people to decide to disconnect, or will the trend toward greater connectivity of objects and people continue unabated?
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Value of reference one. Lee Rainie and Janna Anderson, “The Internet of Things Connectivity Binge: What Are the Implications?” Pew Research Center, June 6, 2017, http://www.pewinternet.org/2017/06/06/the-internet-of-things-connectivity-binge-what-are-the-implications/.
Digital Update Activity: Our Connectivity to the Internet
Responding to the Pew Research Center
In small groups of three to four students, discuss and answer the Pew Research Center’s question (below), and conclude whether significant numbers of people will decide to disconnect, or move toward greater connectivity. Draw upon examples and reasons for disconnecting or having greater connectivity in your own lives.
Use the space below to answer the following questions.
As automobiles, medical devices, smart TVs, manufacturing equipment and other tools and infrastructure are networked, is it likely that attacks, hacks or ransomware concerns in the next decade will cause significant numbers of people to decide to disconnect, or will the trend toward greater connectivity of objects and people continue unabated?
Digital Update Activity: Our Connectivity to the Internet
Follow-up Questions
The Pew Study also asked a few follow-up questions. Consider these as well in your group:
Use the space below to answer the following questions.
1. What is the most likely kind of physical or human damage that will occur when things are networked?
2. How might governments and technologists respond to make things more secure and safe?
3. Is it possible to network physical objects in such a way that they will generally remain safe for the vast majority of people, most of the time?
Digital Update Activity: Our Connectivity to the Internet
Discussion
Report back for a class-wide discussion. If further discussion is desired, look at the full Pew Research Center study and its list of the “Seven Major Themes on the Future of the Internet of Things and Connected Life.”