The world has witnessed a rapid technological advancement in the last few decades owing to a breed of innovative individuals who are tapping into technological opportunities. Almost every other sector has adopted digitized technological solutions as a way of increasing efficiency and in turn productivity. The modern technologies seem to be informed by Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report (2002) that predicted futuristic technologies. The film concentrates on the year 2054 where a specialized police department would apprehend criminals through Precogs that would provide preknowledge. The police would rely on driverless cars, multi-touch interfaces, insect robots, and retina scanners to enhance their operations. At the time of the release, the film appeared fictional and futuristic but 18 years later most of these technologies have been realized. The paper will focus on these emerging technologies, accuracy of their predictions, their status, and how they can be applied by Cosmetology instructors.
The Process of Prediction
Minority Report is a futuristic and fictional film that created technologies that could help the police to deal with crimes even before they happen. The police use Precogs, specialized mutated humans who are capable of receiving future visions that help them to visualize crimes (Molen, 2002). In this case, the police would stop murdered before they act and in this way, zero rate murders and at the same time imprison would-be murders. The prediction appears accurate most of the time but one of the Precogs named Agatha tends to present a different vision that the other two thus creating a ‘minority report’ or an alternate future (Edwards, 2017). The film predicts that there would be autonomous cars that could be driven manually or remotely to arrest criminals. Spielberg film predicts the possibility of having insect robots that can be sent on dangerous environments to spy on criminal activities. The film predicts iris recognition that allows law enforcement officers to track criminals and in this way enhance national security.
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Analysis of Minority Reports Technologies
Computer-Guided Cars
Minority Report predicts the possibility of there being computer-guided or autonomous cars that do not require a human driver. Anderton, a member of the PreCrime, a unit in the Justice Department uses remotely driven vehicles to override criminals and bring them into custody. Minority Report depicts driverless cars that can travel up, down, or over the highway, accelerate, decorate, brake and change lanes and avoid obstacles with so much ease. This technology appears fictional but automotive manufactures have been conducting extensive research in autonomous driving. In 2008, General Motors developed the “Tahoe Boss”, a self-driving prototype. Google developed Waymo, a self-driving vehicle prototype in 2009 paving the way for other companies to do so as well as legislation regulating manufacturing and testing. Tesla and General Motors promised to roll out autonomous ‘robotaxis’ by 2020 and the world is waiting to see if they will do so (Piper, 2020). Autonomous vehicles would be applicable to my career as a cosmetology instructor as they would save me a lot of tie enabling me to multi-task. I would be teaching my class, while I send the car out on errands to fetch supplies or to deliver documents to the faculty. In the same manner I would sit at the back sit and create lecture notes while in the car maneuvers the highway.
Personalized Advertising
Minority Report envisages the possibility of personalized ads that targeted customers that used the products advertised on the billboards. The interactive advertisements seem to use facial recognition to promote products and services depending on the customer’s preferences. At one point in the film Anderton was fleeing the PreCrime Force and an American Express advert says “It looks like you need an escape, and Blue can take you there" (Molen, 2002). Targeted advertising has become a reality with companies doing all they can to increase sales and in turn generate more revenue. Companies such as NEC and IBM are developing billboards with ha capability to recognize passersby and advertise customer specific interests (Murali, 2020). The same case applies to social media sites where companies establishes ones preferences depending on the sites one visits. This technology would apply in my career considering that the cosmetology industry is dynamic with new products getting into the market. The billboards would call me out by name and outline the products that I would recommend to my students to enhance their efficiency.
Gesture-Based Computing
Minority Report establishes the possibility of operating computers through gestures as opposed to touching on the keys. John Anderton could be seen manipulating the Justice Department Interface to search for right suspect. Gesture- based computing is not a new technology since Crain (2019) notes that it dates back to 50 years when it was developed for military fighter aircraft. There has been improvement to the original versions with Google launching Pixel 4 that has built-in gesture controls that are based radar technology. This technology would apply to my career as a cosmetology instructor as it would change how I teach my students. Instead of pressing the keys, I would just pull, pinch and swipe texts, and pictures to make them more visible and meaningful. This technology would make the learning experience to be easier and more interesting.
Voice-Controlled Homes
Minority Report presents the possibility of controlling ones home through voice where Anderton turns the wall screen on in a simple command. This action points to the concept of home automation, which has become a common place. Amazon and Google have been at the frontline of improved security in homes by creating Amazon Echo and Google Home. Loughrey (2017) asserts that these innovations allow homeowners to link their devices to obtain a central control for homes. These technologies allow individuals to turn lights, play music, and even lock doors. This technology appeals to me, as they would improve the security of my office and home when I am away from these places. The office and my house hold important documents related to cosmetology coursework, faculty information and other important appliances. Being able to control the office and the home would allow me to concentrate on imparting skills onto my students.
Personal Interest
The film has allowed me to rethink about modern technologies especially those that are involved with digital advertising. The film seems to indicate that the success of any technology depends on how the people accept these technologies and incorporate them in their lives. In as much as the film was set in the distant 2054, most of these technologies have come to live and they have improved our lives. The best part about these technologies is the billboards that recognize customers based on their profiles and demographics. I cannot imagine, a billboard calling out my name among the crowd and advising me to buy a product or try out a service.
Conclusion
Minority Report could be futuristic and fictional film that establishes the possibility of averting crimes, but it has modern feel. Most of The technologies depicted in the film such as driverless cars and interactive billboards appear to be out of this world if ones in 2002. Fast forward, most of these technologies have become practical with companies around the world working hard to improve digital experience. Today one can anticipate sitting in a driverless car and navigate busy highways. These technologies would revolutionize how individual conduct their daily businesses. The technologies would improve my career as a cosmetology instructor, as it would make it easier, fun, practical, and more effective.
References
Crain, K. (2019, November 4). Union explores gesture-based computing. Union . Retrieved from https://union’s/articles/gesture-based-technology
Edwards, A. (2017). Big data, predictive machines, and security: The Minority Report . In M. R. McGuire and T. J. Holt (Eds.). The Routledge handbook of technology, crime, and justice (pp. 451-461). New York: Routledge.
Loughrey, C. (2017, June 25). Minority Report: 6 predictions that came true, 15 years on. Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/minority-report-15th-anniversary-predictive-policing-gesture-based-computing-facial-and-optical-a7807666.html
Molen, G. R. (Producer), & Spielberg, S. (Director) (2002). Minority Report [Motion Picture]. United States of America: 20 th Century Fox.
Murali, K. J. (2020). 42 Mondays: On emerging technologies for policing . New Delhi: Notion Press
Piper, K. (2020, February 28). It is 2020. Where are our self-driving cars? Vox. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2020/2/14/21063487/self-driving-cars-autonomous-vehicles-waymo-cruise-uber
