Jul 2, 2018 | General
So the stock market is at an all-time high. Also, unemployment is at an all-time low. Let’s pop the champagne, right? But not so fast, according to Facebook Co-Founder Chris Hughes. Facebook co-founder fights wealth inequality.
Furthermore, Hughes wrote the book Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn. In it, he talks about reforming tax codes, but he mainly focuses a fair economy for all American workers. He says wealth inequality is worse than it was in the Great Depression era. Articles like this one back up his claims. But what does this have to do with computer technology and IT support? Hughes would tell you quite a bit.
Because he says mega tech companies, and technology in general, are helping keep working folks’ wages down. Also, add the threat of robots and AI tech taking jobs. So what to do? Hughes believes we should give a monthly tax credit of $500 a month to those making under $50,000 a year. That equals to $6,000 a year. In Hughes’ economy, that would be enough to generate spending and saving, growing the economy in both ways. He also challenges major tech companies, like Facebook, Amazon and Apple. He challenges mega tech companies to focus on workers, society and a better income, not just company profits.
Hughes mentioned the mass collection of data the big IT support companies get. But Hughes goes as far as saying these companies should create a wealth fund. Then, distribute that to the people according to the data they give, and the money it makes for the company. I like this idea better than the tax credit idea. I appreciate where Hughes is coming from, but this country is around $20 trillion in debt. And I doubt this Congress and US President is going to sign a law like that. I prefer the wealth fund idea, and any other way to fight wealth inequality. At least he’s addressing the issue, and I totally respect that. Don’t you wish more tech leaders fought wealth inequality?
Jun 29, 2018 | Computer technology, Entertainment
So cloud computing lets us share computer/online resources with minimum efforts.? It also lets us store information. In computer repair, we get inquires of cloud computing all the time. Since 2006, tech companies saw this and ran with it. However, now, tech companies team up with Hollywood, for the cloud.
First of all, Google announced they’re building a cloud region in Los Angeles. They did this to better focus on video streaming and IT support for designers and artists. Then there is Microsoft, who already had a cloud region there. Not only that, but they’re chasing after the Hollywood entertainment venues. They compete for the industry’s business at a time when many consumers turn to streaming services like Netflix and You Tube Red.
This is a crazy time for Hollywood. Content is becoming more diverse. Consumers are becoming more demanding and sophisticated. And people want their entertainment fix five minutes ago. This is where cloud comes in. Maybe this is why tech giants are trying to either buy up or team up with Hollywood companies. For example, Microsoft got Avere Systems, a top cloud tech firm. Around the same time, Google got Anvato, a rising media platform. Both Microsoft and Google did this to lure Hollywood to their side.
On the surface, this looks more like more corporate takeover. And part of it is. But then again, that’s the way of our world today, whether we like or not. So this time, let me look at the good this can offer. For us, tech companies team up with Hollywood could give us more diversity in entertainment. Thus, we can all watch something we can enjoy. It could also mean good news for entertainers and leaders. These clouds can open up more jobs for actors and others. It can open up more jobs for other markets too, from writers to make-up artists to caterers. What other good can this do?
Jun 28, 2018 | General
So this week, we hear a lot about civility. Incidents involving Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders and an 8-year-old California girl selling water show how uncivil our country is right now. But it seems Google wants to change that. Google keeps employees in check.
Google leaders warn their employees to be nice, especially while using bulletin boards. Because in the past, some employees used these boards for rude, inappropriate and bullying conduct. However, new guidelines are out. It talks about what is appropriate behavior and what isn’t. Also, if they break these rules, they can fire suspension, demotion, or even termination. On the surface, it sounds like common sense. Basically, the new rules insists Google workers treat each other with dignity, equality and respect, no matter what their background.
But wait. Is Google trying to overcome it’s own scandal here? Back in 2013, a scathing report hinted that Google’s workplace was immature. Then came 2017. James Damore wrote on a bulletin board his thoughts on men being better suited to be engineers than woman. This caused so much national outrage that it cost Damore his job. However, some say Damore’s firing was political. Some say they targeted Damore because he is a conservative in an liberal environment. The debate goes on to this day.
I respect what Google is doing. Every human being deserves a safe and functioning work environment, whether it’s computer repair, IT support, or anything else. Yes, I support Google on this. On the surface, this sounds really good. But let’s dig a little deeper. The rules seem pretty straight forward, the stuff our parents taught us. But does it stop there? If I worked at Google, and openly supported a political figure nobody liked, would my job be in danger? Or if I supported an unpopular social or political issue, what would happen? That’s my concern. Google keeps employees in check. Is it about safety? Or is it about control?
Jun 27, 2018 | Computer technology
So in New York City, Google calls a small meeting. It’s just a few Google leaders and journalists at a Manhattan Thai restaurant. The meeting may be small and private, but this meeting affects us all. Google Duplex conference: How will consumers react?
The Google Duplex is a new system you can use to make reservations. Maybe I shouldn’t say new because it’s still in the making. They’re telling people just enough to hopefully wet their appetite. First, they played an example of Google Duplex playing a joke by making a hair salon appointment. That joke got a few laughs, but it caught journalists’ attention. This is real.
The Google Duplex Conference also studied it’s language. It looked at the way it says phrases like ‘um’ and ‘mh-hm’. For example, a person makes a dinner reservation for a party of five. The AI could say, “um…five”. This could make the Google Duplex sound more human, which is a plus. Or, it could make it sound like it doesn’t know what it’s doing. Then there are legal loopholes. In some states, like here in Massachusetts, home to our computer service shop, there is a ‘two party consent’ law. Google records a voice and sends it to a data center, without consent. How will Google tackle this issue?
Here is another one: Will people or businesses be freaked out by Duplex? I think now. Because for years, whenever we talked to a customer service center, we often talk a robot first. So yes, we are prime and ready for Google Duplex. We don’t know when this will be ready for the public. But my guess would be sooner than later. The conference seemed to have gone fairly well. However, I fear this Duplex will widen the gap between human interactions, if it were not wide enough already. I also feel this will give more IT service AI more power over us. What do you think of this Google Duplex conference?
Jun 26, 2018 | Computer technology
So, remember when I talked about a robot restaurant near our Boston computer service shop? Now, I have another to report. Introducing Creator Restaurant: Where robots flip burgers.
The Creator Restaurant is in San Francisco, and the owner’s name is Alex Vardakostas. So he grew up in the burger business. As a teenager, Alex V flipped around 400 burgers a day. For years, he dreamed about making a product and mundane job better, but didn’t know where to start. Alex V is also a robot builder and fanatic. So he combined his two passions and founded Creator Restaurant.
The robots do everything. They cut the buns and cook the burger. They also put the sauce, seasoning and vegetables on the bun. The robots even grind and cut the beef patty to match every bite to texture. These burgers only cost six dollars, and that’s without fries and a drink. But from the demonstration I saw, there are enough vegetables on the burger that they alone can make a side order. It would be good to have to a drink to wash it down, though. But the interviewer asked a more important question: about jobs. How will this affect jobs at a time when so many worry about losing jobs to robots?
Alex V answered by boasting about his ‘good sized’ staff. He pays them $16 an hour, which is significantly more than the $11.00 minimum wage in California. He also gives his employees a ‘five percent’ time. That means he gives them 5% off the clock to read, relax, or do something constructive. We used to call it break time. I do admire how Alex V treats his employees. But he kind of eluded the question that plagues much of the IT service community, and Creator Restaurant. Will these jobs, robots and institutions take our jobs and threaten life as we know it?
