Forward always, Always forward

 Technology is always changing. Which means, communicators are always learning, testing, looking ahead at what's next. It's that constant eye on the horizon that I want to focus on. With breakthroughs in new technology, comes excitement... or hype. Technology being a cyclical industry, naturally the hype is also cyclical. Fitting, then that the company Gartner explains this cycle of events as the hype cycle.

                (Raza, 2020)

This cycle can be applied to many aspects of technology development and through it we get a glimpse of how a communicator adapts to and learns a new technology.


Big Data, while also a really cool band, is what is generated by the usage of new technologies. The information, or data is collected and processed into usable information, like the disaster relief mentioned in this video.

(Simplilearn, 2019)

A study was also conducted, regarding the use of big data, mainly information gathered via social media  in locations where violence and public disturbances were happening. It postured that Social media information gathered from ground zero of these events would better help report news of the situation, or more efficiently coordinate humanitarian aid. It was concluded that "Social media data needs to be complemented by data from other sources. This is necessary to avoid the risk of amplifying the existing advantage of the already privileged as well as the disadvantage of the digitally excluded" (Roberts & Marchais, 2018). So, relying on the compilation of information from just those who are using social media won't give the researcher the complete story. Multiple varied datasets must be used to get the full scope and picture of what is happening at ground level.


References

Raza, M. (2020, May 5). Introduction to the Gartner Hype Cycle. Retrieved from BMC Blogs: https://www.bmc.com/blogs/gartner-hype-cycle/#

Roberts, T., & Marchais, G. (2018). Assessing the Role of Social Media and Digital Technology in Violence Reporting. Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice, 10(2), 9-42. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edshol&AN=edshol.hein.journals.conreadlsj10.17&site=eds-live&scope=site

Simplilearn. (2019, December 10). Big Data In 5 Minutes | What Is Big Data?| Introduction To Big Data |Big Data Explained |Simplilearn. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/bAyrObl7TYE

 


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