Globalisation and the media: wider issues

1) Why was Google Glass controversial?

Google glass created a moral panic as consumers saw it as a threat that the Glass may encourage people to become "less engaged" in conversations with each other, because of the uncertainty that the person you’re talking to is actually paying attention to you and is’t preoccupied with surfing the net.

2) What are the positive elements to Globalisation that the article highlights?

The world becomes more accessible, and people are enriched by getting to know and understand it better. Increased choice and opportunities empower people, while access to information can enhance not only the ability to make informed decisions but even the democratic process. 

3) What are potential negatives to Globalisation?

In terms of ownership: smaller companies have no hope of staking a claim on the global market as they won’t be able to compete. 

4) What is a techno-panic? How does it link to moral panics?

A techno-panic is a type of moral panic that centres on fears regarding specific contemporary technology or technological activity. Moral panics are often related to a change that some have viewed as a threat to the rest of us as a whole. Often the threat is exaggerated, and done with the intent of selling newspapers or other similar media texts. They both link together in this case as it demonstrates how the Google Glass may encourage people to become less engaged in conversations with each other.

5) What is your opinion on the privacy debate and major corporations being able to access large quantities of personal data?

In my opinion, having institutions being able to have access to personal data is daunting as some people prefer to lead private lifestyles. With the Google Glass the feature of facial recognition software – meaning that individuals could be picked out from a crowd of faces with ease, shows how people will become more recognised and known to corporations. I believe people should be entitled to their own privacy, however the changes in technology show how data is more accessible.