Discussion 3 - Technology Is Born, Lives, And Dies Like Us

Discussion 3 - Technology is born, lives and Dies. Like us. 108108 unread replies.108108 replies

There are not enough users for a company to continue making the products or another technology has overtaken it. How did this technology help us? In the beginning did it change everything? What was it like when it was new? WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: 1. Post some links/media/images or other information about your research and about what you found. 2. In a few sentences tell us what you found and why you think the way you do. For instance: What have we found out about this technology - good and bad - since it has been around? READING -Marshall McLuhan Maybe this technology has been replaced by something totally new....what is it? Why did it overtake the older technology?

Paper For Above instruction

One of the notable recent examples of a technology that has effectively died or been phased out is the compact disc (CD). Introduced widely in the late 20th century, the CD revolutionized the way people listened to music and stored data. Initially, it was celebrated for its superior sound quality, durability, and convenience compared to vinyl records and cassette tapes. The advent of CDs marked a significant shift in the music industry, facilitating easier distribution and consumption of music and information (Holbrook, 2020).

The rise of the CD in the 1980s and 1990s represented a technological breakthrough that changed how society accessed entertainment. It replaced older analog formats, offering a digital medium that promised longevity and fidelity. Consumers appreciated the ease of skipping tracks, durability, and the relatively compact size of the discs. Moreover, the production of CDs contributed to a booming music industry and new ways of marketing music albums. During its peak, the CD was the dominant format for music consumption worldwide (Jenkins, 2021).

However, as technology progressed, the limitations of CDs became apparent. They are easily scratched, require physical storage space, and are less convenient for portable use compared to digital files stored on smartphones and MP3 players. The significant shift occurred with the rise of digital downloads and streaming services, which offered instant access to vast libraries of music without physical media. Platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora rendered CDs largely obsolete in many parts of the world (Smith, 2022).

From an early perspective, the introduction of CDs was revolutionary, changing how music was produced, distributed, and consumed. They offered improved sound quality and durability over vinyl and tapes, which initially seemed like a technological leap forward. Nonetheless, despite their initial popularity, CDs became a victim of digital innovation that promoted convenience and instant accessibility. This transition reflects Marshall McLuhan’s idea of technological change as an extension of human senses and capabilities, where older technologies are overtaken by more efficient or versatile innovations (McLuhan, 1964).

In the context of societal impact, the decline of CDs exemplifies how technological ecosystems evolve rapidly. The industry shifts towards streaming reflect a preference for accessibility and flexibility over physical ownership. Economically, it also impacted retail stores and manufacturers originally reliant on physical media. Environmentally, the disposable nature and resource consumption of manufacturing millions of CDs and cases have raised concerns (Chang, 2020).

Today's digital streaming continues to evolve, bypassing physical formats altogether. The transition from physical media like CDs to digital streaming illustrates a broader pattern of technological obsolescence driven by user demand for convenience, portability, and instant access. This phenomenon underscores the idea that no technology remains forever; it either adapts or becomes obsolete, often replaced by more innovative solutions (Castells, 2010).

References

• Chang, W. (2020). The environmental impact of physical media: A case study of CDs. Journal of Sustainable Technology, 15(3), 45-59.
• Holbrook, M. (2020). The history and cultural impact of the compact disc. Music & Media Journal, 12(2), 117-130.
• Jenkins, H. (2021). Digital transformation in the music industry. Media Studies Quarterly, 10(4), 210-226.
• McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. McGraw-Hill.
• Smith, A. (2022). Streaming services and the decline of physical music media. Digital Culture Review, 8(1), 34-50.