Planning and Forecasting - Forecasting and Predictions

Concepts of forecasting and predictions in a business or innovation context

Technology has long been humans’ partner for many years, reshaping our every live aspect. Yet, the need to forecast technological change and its impact have only recently been realized by managers working in public and private organizations as to how it affects their activities. We see a variation of forecasts such as Economic, Market, Financial and more. Technology forecasting seems to be finding the same footing as other known forecasts, and therefore, industry leaders ought to engage in futuring to withstand the technological wind of change.

Forecast Innovation

Many predictions from science fiction movies we have watched have made their way into our everyday lives far from what was only viewed as unreal. These life-altering technological innovations have simplified life for many around the globe while causing more significant concerns to our societies. Today, Hollywood can be credited for its sci-fi movies that have inspired and influenced many infamous predictions that indeed came true.

3D Printers 

Star Trek was one of the first movies that showcased what a 3D printer was.  In this 21^st century, they are used to create an array of highly customized objects at low cost with other endless applications, including jewelry, footwear, airplane, automotive and replacement body parts, veterinary and medical prosthetics (Chase & LaPorte, 2018). Unfortunately, like every new technology, there is human reliance and how they use it. In 2013, we saw a rise in the use of 3D printing to create firearms. This has raised concerns about these guns’ legal, safety, and capability issues; however, regulations are yet to enter the legal system to protect citizens.

In December 2012, a self-described anarchist and law student Cody Wilson posted free software and instructions on making plastic gun parts and a functional gun using a three-dimensional (3D) printer on the internet. During a widely covered demonstration by the media, Wilson fired a single bullet from a 3D-printed gun and posted online computer numerical code details that directed the printing (Jacobs & Haberman, 2017). He believed it was every human’s right to own a gun if they wanted to. We can see that the two forces behind the success of 3D printing in the context of printing firearms are technological and societal. 

Forces

The technological aspect is two-faceted; technological advances leading to 3D technology and availability and accessibility of the internet, allowing anyone to post anything online. The societal part concerns the second amendment to the constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms for personal self-protection in the home (Spitzer, 2017).

Summary

Technology advances bring lots of benefits, such as innovation that has its own cascading benefits, convenience, and a lot more. Unfortunately, every new technology depends on humans and how they use it. Though the 3D printing technology was something to imagine decades ago, today, the infamous 3D gun printing has brought about legal, safety, and capability issues. We must tread carefully with such products as this is a perfect example of how technology can cause harm to us humans and our societies.

References

 

Chase, R. J., & LaPorte, G. (2018). The next generation of crime tools and challenges: 3D printing. NIJ J, 279, 49-57. 

 

Jacobs, J. B., & Haberman, A. (2017). 3D-PRINTED FIREARMS, DO-IT-YOURSELF GUNS, & THE SECOND AMENDMENT [Article]. Law & Contemporary Problems, 80(2), 129-147. https://coloradotech.idm.oclc.org/login?qurl=https%3a%2f%2fsearch.ebscohost.com%2flogin.aspx%3fdirect%3dtrue%26db%3da9h%26AN%3d123059304%26site%3dehost-live%26scope%3dsite%26custid%3Dns214714

 

Spitzer, R. J. (2017). GUN LAW HISTORY IN THE UNITED STATES AND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS [Article]. Law & Contemporary Problems, 80(2), 55-83. https://coloradotech.idm.oclc.org/login?qurl=https%3a%2f%2fsearch.ebscohost.com%2flogin.aspx%3fdirect%3dtrue%26db%3da9h%26AN%3d123059327%26site%3dehost-live%26scope%3dsite%26custid%3Dns214714