Innovation for the Soul: The iPhone and the power to affect change.
Being in technology and believing deeply in the power of the same to change the World, many times I encounter those not so convinced and that challenge my beliefs by assertions and lamentations that society is worse for it. Further, having the privilege of having grown up in other countries and cultures, I field many criticisms from abroad from the many friends and family that I have left behind. These people are a constant sounding board, and are not shy about expressing their view of the World and the shortcomings of the USA and its foreign policy practices. From there, by extension, of course, other related subjects emerge such as: imperialism, over-consumption, climate change, over-use of technology, etc...
Basically, when one visits - as I am now doing in Chile - one is exposed to provocative discussions from relatives and friends frustrated by the state of the World that many blame on the existing political elite reigning in the USA. The refreshing thing is that they do it acknowledging Chile’s own limitations and ever-increasing corruption scandals.
During one of these rounds, we focused on the use of technology and the perceived stupidity of mobile phones and the obsession with the latest iPhone by the social “pretenders” (Chile is notorious for being a hyper “look-at-me” society where people will go very far to show their latest acquisitions and pretensions).
In any case, the discourse on the subject of the mobile device got my thinking in particular as it concerns the iPhone, a device that is fascinating and only a prelude of what is to come in terms of mobile power. Not having an iPhone (I am waiting for the 3G version) I am very intrigued to discover how people are using it for what it is: a mini computer/device with immense powers that happens to make phone calls.
Last weekend I had an opportunity to observe/participate in a real- time episode with an iPhone while in Philadelphia for my niece’s graduation from UPENN. To celebrate, all 28 family members that were there went to dinner at a restaurant called Maggiano’s, which is notorious for the copious amounts of food that it serves. After eating what seemed like only 10 % of what was served, we started to feel very guilty about the excess and started to figure out what we could do with all the food. We were not about to throw it away; it was simply immoral to do so.
Enter a relative of mine and his iPhone. With its friendly navigation, GPS and search functionalities, we triangulated with the restaurant and quickly found several soup kitchens a short taxi-cab ride away that we could donate to food to. We chose one with the route depicted on the iPhone, took a taxi and a few minutes later delivered the food to a very grateful group of people hungry for good Italian food.
So, while the debate rages on, here is proof positive of the positive power of technology and innovation. The combination of curiosity, exploration, and a desire to give and solve a problem was resolved by the iPhone in real-time and for real people.
Benefaction accelerated; this is what I call Innovation for the soul.
Basically, when one visits - as I am now doing in Chile - one is exposed to provocative discussions from relatives and friends frustrated by the state of the World that many blame on the existing political elite reigning in the USA. The refreshing thing is that they do it acknowledging Chile’s own limitations and ever-increasing corruption scandals.
During one of these rounds, we focused on the use of technology and the perceived stupidity of mobile phones and the obsession with the latest iPhone by the social “pretenders” (Chile is notorious for being a hyper “look-at-me” society where people will go very far to show their latest acquisitions and pretensions).
In any case, the discourse on the subject of the mobile device got my thinking in particular as it concerns the iPhone, a device that is fascinating and only a prelude of what is to come in terms of mobile power. Not having an iPhone (I am waiting for the 3G version) I am very intrigued to discover how people are using it for what it is: a mini computer/device with immense powers that happens to make phone calls.
Last weekend I had an opportunity to observe/participate in a real- time episode with an iPhone while in Philadelphia for my niece’s graduation from UPENN. To celebrate, all 28 family members that were there went to dinner at a restaurant called Maggiano’s, which is notorious for the copious amounts of food that it serves. After eating what seemed like only 10 % of what was served, we started to feel very guilty about the excess and started to figure out what we could do with all the food. We were not about to throw it away; it was simply immoral to do so.
Enter a relative of mine and his iPhone. With its friendly navigation, GPS and search functionalities, we triangulated with the restaurant and quickly found several soup kitchens a short taxi-cab ride away that we could donate to food to. We chose one with the route depicted on the iPhone, took a taxi and a few minutes later delivered the food to a very grateful group of people hungry for good Italian food.
So, while the debate rages on, here is proof positive of the positive power of technology and innovation. The combination of curiosity, exploration, and a desire to give and solve a problem was resolved by the iPhone in real-time and for real people.
Benefaction accelerated; this is what I call Innovation for the soul.
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