Klaus Schwag – The Forth Industrial Revolution

This reading was interesting for me and took me out of my comfort zone. There were a few aspects that I have no knowledge of. Topics such as robotics, various new materials and biological mega-trends went straight over the top of my head. However, looking at platforms for business and income as well as human inequality.

Schwag looks over physical, digital and biological mega-trends. The physical megatrends such as robotics investigates how they can be integrated into society, potentially replacing household chores and mass production. My main issue with the growth in this industry is the limitation of human contact and interaction. This also joins in with inequality in terms of skilled labour, as labour is now decreasing in numbers of workers and only the best are getting the jobs. This could potentially raise unemployment rates and create social unrest. Schwag develops some ideas around wealth and the middle class, claiming those with middle class jobs will no longer be able to live a middle class lifestyle and education is becoming a luxury in both the US and UK.

However, technology is providing a myriad of platforms in which people can make money. For example, driving with uber and hosting air b’n’b. This relies on people having access to connected smart phones or devices. A lot of people don’t at the moment. The tipping point table shows the growth in populations having access to the Internet and personal devices. Technology is also empowering some people who are in dire situations, Schwag used the example of Syrian refugees using google maps and facebook to escape the country.

There are many advantages and disadvantages discussed in Schwag’s reading. But these are the points that appealed to me and where I am hoping to go in my career within the media industry.