The dominant technology story on everyone’s screen this week has been cyber security and the PRISM scandal. There’s a high chance any data you’ve put online, including email, video, and Facebook posts, has gone through a filter and been analysed by government spy agencies.
This has come glaringly to light thanks to a young chap, Edward Snowden. Edward leaked to the world that the US National Security Agency (NSA) had been monitoring and looking at data from some of the biggest technology companies in the US.
These technology companies include Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Yahoo and Apple.
Now interestingly enough every one of these tech giants has denied being a willing volunteer. Apparently they didn’t freely hand over their databases and customer information to the NSA…hmmm.
Maybe they’re telling the truth. It’s certainly not the first and won’t be the last time government agencies have sequestered information without due process.
So although the world is up in arms about this complete invasion of privacy and the audacity of the NSA to use and abuse data, what impact has it had on everyone?
Do you now wake up in the morning fearful the email you sent last night with the Grumpy Cat Meme will land you in Guantanamo Bay? I doubt it.
And that’s where the doom and gloom pumped out by media outlets gets confused with the actual impact it has on people.
On a side note, considering the NSA is an almighty powerful government spy agency, you’d think they’d be capable of whacking together a slightly more compelling PowerPoint Presentation.
I’m more concerned they don’t have the skills to create an innovative PowerPoint than the fact they can monitor my Twitter account.
Imagine if the lead analyst on the PRISM project presented that PowerPoint to a Venture Capitalist to pitch the program. The VC’s would have laughed the analyst out of the room!
But NSA and bad PowerPoint’s aside there really isn’t any significant impact on how you live your life day to day. And to be honest, the NSA doesn’t care how many times you watch Gangnam Style on YouTube. And so what if it now knows your shoe size, waist size or hat size because you order clothes online?
Look, I’m not condoning what is going on, and there should be greater transparency as to where our online data goes. But really, there’s much better things to be concerned with in the tech world.
Here’s a perfect example. In the office the one thing that’s rocked our world this week has been the arrival our 3D Printer, the UP Mini.
Now we’ve talked about 3D printing and we’ve seen videos online and no doubt you’ve heard about it too. But what we weren’t prepared for was how mind blowing it really is when it’s happening right in front of you.
Overnight we went from publishers to manufacturers. It was like a goose had laid a golden egg in the office. There were literally 20 people huddled around this printer no bigger than a PC in awe of what was happening right before their eyes.
Take note; do not underestimate the power of being able to make something from nothing. We’re so pumped by the impact this will have on the world we’ve become unofficial 3D printer groupies.
Today we’re going to print off something very simple. A garden trowel. Now I know that might sound trivial. But think about it like this. It will cost us about 50 cents to make. Why is this important? Because I could go down to Bunnings and pick up the same strength garden trowel, but it would cost me $2.99.
Of course you won’t make up the value of the printer in garden trowels. But the beautiful thing about being able to make things is you can make anything you want, and the opportunities are astounding.
NASA is researching the ability to 3D print in space, doctors are 3D printing life saving devices for people, and scientists are 3D printing food from readily available ingredients. It is truly revolutionary.
The point we’re making here is you will often hear about great tech achievements and sometimes see things on video. But until you experience them first hand like we are, you don’t quite grasp how revolutionary it really is.
3D printing is just one thing that has got us so excited about the potential of new technology to change the world.
It’s not just the world-changing impact these technologies will have, but the revolutionary investment opportunities they also bring. So as these new tech opportunities continue to come we’re making sure you’re the first to know about them through our new tech investment service…Revolutionary Tech Investor.
As Kris mentioned at the top of today’s letter, we’ll send you more details about Revolutionary Tech Investor, including the results of my DNA analysis, soon. Look out for the special emails in your inbox.
Sam Volkering
Technology Analyst
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