The New King of Brands
In an information and efficiency based era, the prevalence of technology continues to demonstrate itself in our everyday lives. We use technology for emailing, GPS, for communication, and for remembering people’s birthdays. Through the luxurious designs and appearances of such phones and technology, does one ever consider the problem that subtly exists? This shift in technology is evidenced by the fact that Apple has knocked Coca-Cola off No. 1 spot on Interbrand’s list of Best Global Brands. Apple’s estimated value is $98.3 billion which is a 28% leap from 2012 while Coca-Cola’s value rose by approximately 2% to 79.2 billion. Out of the top 10 most valuable brands, five of them operate in the technology industry. Startling? Definitely not, but this brings up the question of whether technology actually negatively affects us. Despite the global brands, Vancouver itself has boasted many enterprises based on technology. Technology is “…changing our behavior: how we buy, how we communicate with each other, even whether we speak with each other… [and] have literally changed the way we live our lives.” As a result of such sleek, lavish, and elegant design, we, as humans, have become a rather anti-social generation that lacks proper mannerisms and knowledge in networking and communicating face to face. Technology has allowed people in its respective sector to gain great financial rewards, but at what cost? It’s at the expense of a generation that lacks etiquette and confidence with face to face interaction. This is not to say that everyone lacks these qualities, but for the vast majority, people cannot function properly without technology as it has integrated itself into part of our identity.
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