Ted Talk with Aaron Koblin: A Technologically Driven World

In the Ted Talk with Aaron Koblin, a variety of factors regarding modern humanity were observed, allowing us insight to the impact of living in a digital age. Through the creation and publication of various social experiments, our humanity leaves traces of its true existence by analysis of results.

Two instances were depicted in the Ted Talk where modern technology plays a vital role in supporting the continuation of the lives we are used to living. The first was evident in the satellite  module of the mass air-transit we consider "normal", and mostly take for granted. This modern ability to monitor and control air traffic, whose numbers exceed above one hundred thousand, displays the prominent role digital technology plays in providing safety to those in the planes, as well as those below them. Another instance where technology was shown to be a major part of our humanity was with the oscillating graph of the amount of sms text messages sent throughout a given day in NYC. The spike in the graph of texts sent on the New Year at 12 o'clock is reflective of our dependent and customary use of texting.

As for the technological experiments (the sheep drawing, the Johnny Cash video, and the dollar bill replication), their simple existence allows any willing and able individual to contribute to something in a small, but significant way. The sheep drawing experiment showed the differences in individuals in regards to the amount of time spent on the drawing, as well as the decision to complete the drawing in the first place. On the other hand, the Johnny Cash video allowed for a more meaningful contribution, not designed to be an experiment. In this situation, individual's work was compiled into a music video that could be individually viewed, judged and appreciated. By concluding that today's humanity is primarily technologically driven, the idea that each one of us has a "obligation" or duty to contribute by means of an interface in order to help create or inspire different ideas is necessary to maintain our humanity.