Critical Investigation proposal

To what extent and why is wearable technology specifically Google glass creating more threats and concerns in society?

Angle-

With the growing market of wearable technology has led to lots of concerns in society as well as on a national scale. Moral panic is an example of a theory that links to this topic, the reason is because some wearable technology products have been shown to be a massive concern e.g. Google glass. This is an example of a product that has faced a massive amount of moral panic within society due to threats/ concerns that had been raised by the media. This had led to many fears and had presented wearable technology but more aimed at Google glass.

Hypothesis-

i believe that wearable technology is a benefit to society rather then a threat/ concern. I also think that new technology is presented in a negative manor due to current issues in regards to hacking and privacy concerns. 

Linked production piece-

• Documentary looking into Google glass
• Trailer of a film in regards to wearable technology

MIGRAIN-

The narrative of the video is showing how Google glass can be integrated in to daily life, the fact that it’s being used in sky diving also suggests that Google glass is rugged and strong. The video shows people putting on the glass which gives the general public a first time view to see what the product looks like. The video continues by showing POV( point of view shots) shots of the sky divers setting up and getting ready for the jump. As the narrative continues it shows the POV shot of the driver in free fall showing the potential of the device. This helps people to be able to think of the product possibilities of the product however at this point the google glass is still generic as the video suggests that only videos can be recorded. The song used in the video is call we were promised Jetpacks which suggests that Google are showing they have introduced something new that audiences will “fall for” which is created through the chorus of the song. The song starts of slow as there is a build up to the main scene of where the actors jump out of the helicopter and once they have jumped the music then speeds up and volume of the music also increases.

The genre of the video is advertisement/ informative as the video helps introduce and promote the Google product. Iconic features throughout this video is the first view of the video but also the Google logo which is a well know brand and helps audiences to be able to establish the brand straight away.

The media institution is Google, and is commercial brand which suggests that this brand is selling something rather than informing the audience. The audience for the product seems that is aimed as middle-aged professionals based on the people that are used, however the product is not limited to one age, gender or race of people it is designed for everyone. Although the name Google glass suggest that it aimed at people who were glasses this is a misconception as the Google glass has no glass lenses but only a rectangle prism which is placed in front of the right eye.

SHEP-

• Social-
• Historical- Google started onn march 1998, in 2003 Google brought blogger and in 2012 was the first look at Google Glass and later in 2013 was then released for the public to be able to be brought.
• Economical-
  

  US$ 59.825 billion (2013) [4]  US$ 50.175 billion (2012) [4]
  Operating income	US$ 13.966 billion (2013) [4]  US$ 12.76 billion (2012) [4]
  Net income	US$ 12.92 billion (2013) [4]  US$ 10.737 billion (2012) [4]
  Total assets	US$ 110.92 billion (2013) [5]  US$ 93.798 billion (2012) [4]
  Total equity	US$ 87.309 billion (2013) [5]  US$ 71.715 billion (2012)

• Political-

Issues/ Debates-

• Moral panic- the reason this theory links to my topic is because Google glass had created a problem, in this case a product that can be seen as threatening amongst society.
• Media technology and the digital revolution - changing technologies in the 21st century- this links to my topic because Google glass is the first of smart glasses that allow for computer like functionality, it is also the first stages of this type of technology and has started a new range of wearable technology.
   
• Human interest- the reason i feel that this would apply is because Google glass has created a massive concern in regards to peoples everyday lives by using this technology. for instance Google glass can be access by Google at any given time without warning.
• Media imperialism- the reason i believe this connects is because Google is using technology such as Google glass for surveillance amongst society. it allows sensitive information that would not be able to be found with previous types of research method in order to find information that would can be used by third party companies. it also can also be used against society my people and be used to suppress people. although media imperialism is aimed at weaker countries it can be argued that Google is a puppet used by larger organisation such as FBI in order to find information about society which i believe to be the equivalent of weaker countries.
• Ownership and control- this connects to my topic because it can be seen that although Google are providing a product, it can be argued that the product is controlled by Google and although paid for by the customer the product and its functionality is controlled and regulated by Google. For instance Google glass can be accessed and controlled by Google, suggesting that Google has the control of audiences and technology.

Theories-

• Moral panic- the reason this theory links to my topic is because Google glass had created a problem, in this case a product that can be seen as threatening amongst society.

Research plans

Media Texts-

• Film- enemy of the state
• Film- I Robot

Other media texts-
TV Documentaries -

• The internet must go(2013)
• Hackers world: anonymous investigation (2012)
• phreaked out (2014)

Academic texts/Books-

Internet links

At least FIVE from Media Guardian or Guardian Culture or another newspaper website-http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/06/google-glass-technology-smart-eyewear-camera-privacy

This article talks about if Google glass is something people would actually wear but it is suitable to wear, this can be due to the health concerns associated and also the size and weight which can cause pain for a person. however as the produce is from Google it can be seen as fashionable and different to wear it but can also be associated with status and wealth by having Google glass.

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/01/google-glass-banned-in-uk-cinemas

concerns have already been raised in regards to the camera in Google glass and therefore privacy has become a concern in cinemas which has lead to a ban, not only have this been a concern in cinemas but also during exams and in general as pictures of anyone can be taken.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/04/google-glass-sony-smart-eyeglass-android-wear

Competition has been growing with manufactures such as Sony stepping up by introducing new glasses which are similar to Google glass, this suggests that more and more manufactures will be introducing new products this means that consumers will have more and choice and this means that manufactures will be ensuring to try and be the best.

http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/media-network-blog/2014/jul/31/wearable-technology-revolution-dead-cost

This article talks about how Google glass has been the start of wearable technology which had lead to massive rise in wearable technology, such as smart watches as well smart glasses. This means that there will be a significant rise in the amount of technology in the next wear years.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/07/ofcom-children-digital-technology-better-than-adults

This article talks about how technology has changed how kids react with it but also how it had led to them being more it literate compared adults. this also means that children will be leading in the industry and therefore wearable technology can only become a norm in the future but will also have more choice and options.


At least FIVE from university websites/academic papers online. Use Google Scholar as a starting point-

Doctors among early adopters of  Google glass (http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2013/09/30/cmaj.109-4607.short)

Any other relevant sites/articles - the more the better-