Technological world

Technology - you either love it or hate it. Do you know what is the difference between a technophobe and a technophile?A technophobe is someone who dislikes new technology, especially computers, and is not able to use it with confidenceA technophile is a person who is interested in modern technology and enjoys using it.Which are you?Read the text below. We live in the age of technology.Ninety per cent of all scientists who have ever lived are alive now. There is more microchip technology in the average car than there was in the First Apolo scpacecraft to take ten men to the moon. The electronic singing birthday card you can buy at any newsagent's is technically superior to all the computers on earth in 1950 put together. Global computing power is now greater than the combined intelligence of every human being on the planet. At least, that's the opinion of some of the world's leading scientists. Perhaps we should be asking the computers whatthey think. But that's just the point. Computers can't think. Artificial intelligence is a contradiction in terms. In the words of Pablo Picasso, "Computers are useless. They can only give you answers." Is the author of this text a techophobe or a technophile? Look at the following points of view. Try to complete them. a) Don't talk to me about technology ! I can't even programme the video.b) I'm never off mymobile. I couldn't do without it.c) My favourite toy is my digital camera. It's just great being able to preview what you print.d) I bought an electronic organiser the other day. It took me a week to work out how to use it!e) I'm a bit of a nerd. I actually write my own programs.f) I've got a thing about gadgets : Camcoders, Palmtops, anything small, quirky and mechanical that makes my life more fun. I spend a fortune on them!g) I hate all this electronic stuff: tiny keys, tiny screen . And half the time it doesn't work properly. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTSIn a time of rapid change, is there any point in trying to predict the future or do you agree with Scott Adams? Read his opinion below. There are many methods for predicting the future. For example, you can read horoscopes, tea leaves, tarot cards and crystal balls. Collectively, these methods are known as nutty methods. Oor you can put well- researched facts into sophisticated computer models, more commonly referred to a s a complete waste of time.Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert cartoonWhat develoopments do you expect to see over the next ten to twenty years in computers, communications, energy, medicine?Complete at least two of the following statements and write them in the part below called Discussion.a I think the biggest change will be in_.b I think the most exciting developments will be in _.c I think the predictions about _will turn out to be exaggerated.d I think the effects of _will be _ .e I think the main thing we have to worry about is _ . Look at the list of technological developments below. Do you know anything about them?*video-on-demand*robotic surgeons* cloning*smart clothing* microchip implants*genome project*bio-electric limb regeneration*zero point energy*cryogenics*genetic profiling*nanotechnology* chi kung medicine* ion propulsion*organic computers*virtual retinal display Listen to these 8 recordings. Try to guess what they are talking about, which topics mentioned above. Number 1 Number 2 Number 3 Number 4 Number 5 Number 6 Number 7 Number 8 Match the nubers of discussions to the topics. 1 zero point energy 2 smart clothing 3 genetic profiling 4 cloning 5 cryogenics 6 nanotechnology 7 genome project 8 chi kung medicine