Recently, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge Mass. has developed a new social use for information systems in declining neighborhoods. The new technologies that are being developed are aimed at revitalizing our countries declining neighborhoods. The information systems help to target failing neighborhoods and help protect them from foreclosures and “home-flippers.” The new systems also help to develop plans for which type of public works would be most valued within a given region. Researchers here have developed new technologies which will enable them to restore urban areas which are in decay, and vitalize land values and overall quality of the areas. These new technologies have been very successful in facilitating revitalization, improving vacant lots, building on affordable housing initiatives, heading off foreclosures, or integrating neighborhood efforts into a larger regional framework.
I think that this is a much better use for technology innovation then simply increasing profits and productivity within a company. If more technologies such as these were being developed and implemented, it would go a very long way to help the economy, and thus booster businesses across the nation.
It was stated within the article that these new technologies that were developed were able to rehabilitate and renovate over 150 acres of abandoned lots into a vibrant neighborhood with affordable housing for its residents. This is the kind of progress that we need as a society, affordable housing which benefits everyone. We have come to a point in our society where we should at least be able to eliminate poverty within our own borders, and this new technology is the first step in doing so.
While technology is important to businesses for their day to day procedures, I believe that the focus of new technologies should be something that everyone can profit from, rather than solely a company which will only use it to cut costs. By using information systems to help the greater good, we become more productive and efficient as a society. By eliminating the poverty that exists in many regions across the United States of America, we are then as a nation more prepared to advance our society both socially and economically.
It is important to understand that technology is more then just a way to become more efficient in our day to day operations or even in the day to day operations as a company. Technology is a way for us to be more efficient and informed as a society, and thus affect both businesses and individuals. If we devote our energies to solving the separation of wealth within this country, all of our other problems will be less significant, and our workforce will be more capable then ever.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS130710+19-Mar-2008+PRN20080319
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The author of this blog gives readers a whole new outlook on advances in technology. There are more ways to use technology that help benefit our entire society rather than just an individual company. The blog discusses this new technology that revitalizes decaying neighborhoods, but what exactly is this technology? How does it eliminate poverty? How much does it cost? Although it has proven to be successful in Cambridge, MA, has it been used/been successful any where else across the nation?
This blog truly does represent another perspective on the uses of technology. It is no secret that we live in a constantly changing and evolving world where new technology is always being created and used, but most of the time, these changes just enhance competition. Technology has made our world a more competitive, and I believe in some cases, a lazy place. Businesses compete to get the edge on one another while people rely on new devices to help them get the job done with much less effort on their part. But, it is certainly refreshing to know that there is good in everything, including this technological age that we live in. We should focus more on how we can apply technology to get the competitive edge over some of the problems that plague our world. I don't understand why this concept hasn't been introduced earlier? or why is hasn't spread like wildfire? Has technology made us a more self centered group of people? I understand that the cost might be an issue in taking action, yet I believe that the government should fund such worthwhile and necessary movements. Technology has certainty helped make people's lives easier and it can and hopefully will transform the lives of those around us.
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