Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
As humans, we spend a lot of time thinking
about the future. We might think about this
on an individual level, and wonder what
will happen to us and our families, or we
might consider the fate of the human race
as a whole. In the last thirty years, there
has been a revolution occurring under our
noses that will influence the future to a
huge extent. We have embraced the recent
technological advances that have brought
us the Internet, laptops, smartphones and
many other things that we now rely on
for our modern lives, but where are these
advances taking us?
The amount of data collected by all our
fancy new electronic devices is huge.
So huge that it is inconceivable to most.
This data is not just hidden away in a
supercomputer somewhere unknown, but it
could be used too. There are people who
are becoming increasingly concerned that
this data could be used against us, and
that too not just in the case of a computer
hack. Advertising companies can also
pay for access to our data and use this to
target their advertising campaigns.
If you spend time online looking at pictures of
nice cars, or jewellery, or even ancient
stone carvings, advertisers can alter what
you see so that they can try to sell you
products related to what they know you
like. You may think this is marvellous
and something that will help you in life,
making your searches more fruitful and
the decisions you make, easier. You maybe
right. However, they can also ensure you
spend more on things, as they know you
will buy them whatever the price. This is
something we need to monitor.
The power of this data is not limited
to targeted advertising and our ability
to create data is increasing. In fact, we
seem to really enjoy creating data. At the
moment, there is increasing popularity of
devices that monitor us and our physical
activity and health levels. These are worn
like watches and can help us keep fit by
giving us prompts to move or increase
our exercise levels.
It might be the last
days of the fitness instructors! The devices
are connected to the Internet and help us
monitor our health over time, creating a
lot of data. In some cases, they can help us
lose weight and avoid medical conditions
in the future. As such, these devices have
the potential to save lives. However, we
must remain vigilant and make sure the
data collected is not taken advantage of
and not used to our detriment.
What does the author think is marvellous?
ATargeted advertising
BHow technology can help our daily life
CGetting help in decision making
DAll of these