Up to this point in our IS 215 class. The topic of innovation has been a constantly reoccurring talking point. We started the course with the first two days being completely devoted to the history of information systems. In those first two days we learned a lot of information. The first thing that I, and many other students must have realized is that information systems were the result of methods and ideas, that were constantly being innovated. In this statement I am basically trying to illustrate the fact that, our current technologies were built over a period of time, from people constantly upgrading and improving their current technologies.
Another thing I have seen to be consistent with innovation in our studies, is the actual process that enables it. Throughout the course I have seen many examples of a technology being suggested, many companies/countries/people try to create or improve the technology for their own purpose, and then survival of the fittest (in this case usually most intelligent) sets in. The example in Wednesdays class with the telephone companies was a perfect example. When the telephone was first invented, there were thousands of telephone companies competing to become the best. However, after a while it was trimmed down to only a couple major competitors, with at&t having the monopoly on long distance, which was even government sanctioned for many decades.
This is only one example of this process as it has been instituted on many technologies, products, and services. Even if you look at the history of computers, there have constantly been many companies trying to develop them, but only a few have been able to create and develop computers that consistently push the limits of technology. Other examples in our class go back to computer language, the spice trade, measurement standards, nuclear weapons, logic, and even business. In fact the only example the I can think of to counter innovation, is when we discussed the collapse of the Roman Empire, and how it set society back intellectually for a few hundred years, on the first day of class. Throughout this course, and in my life in general. I have learned the value of innovation, and its life applications.
Another thing I have seen to be consistent with innovation in our studies, is the actual process that enables it. Throughout the course I have seen many examples of a technology being suggested, many companies/countries/people try to create or improve the technology for their own purpose, and then survival of the fittest (in this case usually most intelligent) sets in. The example in Wednesdays class with the telephone companies was a perfect example. When the telephone was first invented, there were thousands of telephone companies competing to become the best. However, after a while it was trimmed down to only a couple major competitors, with at&t having the monopoly on long distance, which was even government sanctioned for many decades.
This is only one example of this process as it has been instituted on many technologies, products, and services. Even if you look at the history of computers, there have constantly been many companies trying to develop them, but only a few have been able to create and develop computers that consistently push the limits of technology. Other examples in our class go back to computer language, the spice trade, measurement standards, nuclear weapons, logic, and even business. In fact the only example the I can think of to counter innovation, is when we discussed the collapse of the Roman Empire, and how it set society back intellectually for a few hundred years, on the first day of class. Throughout this course, and in my life in general. I have learned the value of innovation, and its life applications.
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