Living with high-tech

In this video, our course contributors discuss our relationship with technology, how we idolise it, the problems this creates, and how we have developed a culture which expects high-tech.

The way that we consume technology has changed. We live in a culture now where products are refreshed year after year, and companies are incentivising us to upgrade by offering payment plans and rewards schemes. Yet, all of these constant upgrades only lead to more problems. More technologies mean more materials being mined, more labour required, and more old products becoming waste. While consumers create demand through their purchase habits, companies shoulder just as much, if not more responsibility, for building and perpetuating this culture.

As our Hunter mentions companies are playing into this desire by curating the launch of their technologies in a way that entices idolisation, however, as Francisca highlights the form this idolisation takes changes depending on your position in society and your access to technologies in the first place.

Now we’d like to hear from you, in the comments section discuss the following:

• Do you need to have the latest products?
• Do you think we idolise technology?
• What do you think needs to change, consumers, companies, or both?