Keeping Track of Technology

     In an age of faster, slimmer, and smarter technological devices, it seems as if the boundary between the technology of science fiction and spy movies and that of reality is shrinking.  As examined in The Economist article “Chips off the old block,” one current manifestation of improved technology is child-tracking devices.  Between smartphone tracking apps and programs and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, the knowledge of a child’s whereabouts is now more accessible to parents than ever before.  Despite their benefits, however, the devices also pose dangerous consequences, for the programs can easily be used to provide information to mal-intentioned individuals, for instance, in cases of domestic violence. 

     This article began with an anecdote of a father walking his small son to the bus stop that was immediately relatable to for the audience (any person interested in current technological controversies).  The anecdote, however, ended with a less-relatable twist; that the father could also use a robot, linked to a beacon in the boy’s backpack, and/or a video-streaming smartphone to ensure his son made it onto the bus.  This story quickly hooked the audience and caused them to question where the story could possibly be leading.  It appealed enough to the audience’s cultural memory to allow them to make associations between technology they were familiar with from science fiction movies and that mentioned in the story, subsequently conjuring up images of robots and drones at a typical bus stop scene in their heads.  This highlights the anecdote’s employment of hyperbole in explaining the father’s ability to use “a football-sized drone, hovering several meters off the ground” (53) to track his son. 

     Nevertheless, the anecdote created a smooth transition to many existing tracking devices and places where they are used, which in turn shifted to a discussion of potential problems with the devices.  These possible misuses include eavesdropping capabilities and thus decreased privacy, and using the devices to track spouses in addition to children.  A “They say, I say” argument became evident in this section of the article, as the author effectively used what “Critics say” (53), what “Some survivors of domestic violence say” (54), and what “Others fear” (54) to explain the aforementioned reservations with the technologies.  At the same time, the author was able to make their own stance appear neutral for the audience, enhancing the article’s apparent objectivity and credibility (ethos). 

     As technology continues to expand into various facets of life, so do the controversies associated with its usage.  This article explored fairly objectively one such controversy, and thus does fulfill its purpose of informing readers of the benefits and drawbacks of current child-tracking devices.