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Rob_Hugo@PortNWThis article reflects on the growing--wait a better word is exploding-- amount of technology sweeping through Asia. They note all these cool gadgets from the Smart Toliet (which takes all your vital signs like blood pressure and urine test and sends the results to your doctor) to cell phones that have a built in navigation system so that Muslims can locate Mecca.
These devices are amazing, and Americans have yet to see some of these products reach our markets anytime soon. It seems to take a while for the innovative products to reach American soil and become a hit. I wonder if Asians do use these products widely even though they are available.
The article went on to explain why Asians are the ones to be so technically advanced in comparison to the world. They seem to stand out atop everyone internationally. The author relates this progress with the discipline that Asian innovators have to science and math. Asian families push for their children to do well in the fields of math and science...and look what it has produced...a global economy that keeps prospering. and so that seems to be reasonable logic to push kids to study math and science because in the long run status and wealth seem to be the outcome.
Additionally, this booming scene of techonolgoy is seen as hindering culture and family values. Techonology puts the new/contemporary in front of tradition, and this seems to be a progressing dilemma to the face of tradition.
AnonymousI thought this was a really interesting article about the differences in everyday technology between the US and Asia. A lot of Americans think that because we're "the US," we have all the cool gadgets and what not, but the article totally proves this wrong. Asian production and interest in technology I think far surpasses that of the US. The Asian market has had many really interesting gadgets that probably aren't going to debut anytime soon in the US, which makes me a bit disappointed because I'm sure there are some really cool inventions out there.
I also thought the advancement of the two Korean doctors in stem cell research was particularly praise worthy. I find it a bit funny that these two doctors would be revered and honored for their work when in the US stem cell research is still a very taboo subject. While there are many supporters of it, there are many many against it, whether for religious or other "moral" reasons. Does anyone know how Asia feels towards stem cell research in general? Is it as opposed as it is in the US right now?
AnonymousTwo articles may be of interest to you. I found these in the asiamedia web magazine linked to this site.
The Taipei Times reported that Taipei will be the largest wireless zone in the world. Most urban cities have "hot spots" where you can go online but this is the first "hot zone". Currently it covers 5 percent of the city but the mayor, Ma Ying-jeou, says that by June or July, 90 percent of the city will have wireless access.
It is also noted that it is appropriate that they have such advanced and widespread internet access since according to the article, Taiwan makes 90 percent of the world's wireless internet ports. The government is clearly supporting this and it has even ensured that all schools have wireless online access. When I look at the snail pace use of techonology where I teach, I do wonder where Bill Gates and the government are ... the US is definately falling behind in the technology department.
Another article was from Japan. The South China Morning Post reported on 12-19-05 that Japan plans to launch a rival to Google.com. The quest for its own search engine is a joint effort between high-tech companies, the universities and the government. Citing the large profits of google, the article comments that "information searches have become a source of wealth". The project is well funded; several billion yen will be devoted to create a search engine to directly compete with google.
AnonymousWow a lot of stuff is just booming. Very interesting info.