'Impact of Technology' Series Brings Thought Leaders to Campus for Panel Discussions
September 3, 2013
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Is there anything that technology does not touch in modern life? Is there some aspect of human interaction that remains beyond the reach of phones, computers, cameras, data collection, market research, etc.? These days, when friends get together over dinner, it's considered polite to shut off the cells and put aside the tablet computers so that a simple conversation can take place. But it isn't long before someone is reaching for his or her device, in order to schedule something, check email or pull down a bit of trivial knowledge from the Web. It's all well-meaning—but is it? What is it doing for us, and to us?
No one would argue that the changes in technology have had an irreversible impact on the world, but in the future, will these technologies be used mostly for good or for evil?
This fall, the University of Baltimore's Ampersand Institute for Words & Images will host a series of enlightening and empowering discussions about these phenomena. "The Impact of Technology" will consider this global evolution from a variety of perspectives, inviting UB faculty and special guests to engage in dialogue about this important-indeed, life-changing-development. The following events, all scheduled to take place in the M. Scot Kaufman Auditorium in the William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center (home of the Merrick School of Business), 11 W. Mt. Royal Ave., are free and open to the public:
- "What Is Design, and Why Does It Matter?"
Sept. 18, 5:30-7 p.m.
- "Is the World a Better or More Dangerous Place Because of Social Media?"
Oct. 9, 5:30-7 p.m.
- "Can the Economy Survive the Democratic System?"
Oct. 30, 5:30-7 p.m.
- "Has the New Technology Improved the Practice of Law?"
Nov. 20, 2-3:30 p.m.
- "Special Appearance by Douglas Rushkoff, Author of Present Shock"
Dec. 4, 5:30-7 p.m.
"There used to be a time when the endless circle of ‘desire, satisfaction, dissolution, desire’ drove the economy. Today, businesses must accept the fact that the control of this system no longer lies in the hands of the seller, but technology has now allowed the user to control the process," said Edwin Gold, professor in UB's School of Communication Design and director of the Ampersand Institute. "People can pick and choose when they want to access information as well as instantly compare the prices and quality of any product or service in the world."
Further details about panelists, discussion outcomes, and so on, will be announced shortly. More information about the series is available by calling 410.837.6022 or sending an email to jcrooks@ubalt.edu.
Check out a brief Q&A with Gold about the "Impact of Technology" series.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.