The main benefit of the growth of technological innovation in New York City is more employment opportunities. “New York City’s tech sector employed 117,147 people in 2014, a 71 percent increase from a decade earlier (68,571).” It is obviously important to the city’s economy, but I also think that the growth of technological innovation also adds to the city’s diversity. There are so many jobs that fall under the “tech sector.” Internet Publishing and Broadcasting, Web Search Portals industry, Electronic Shopping, Software Publishing, Computer Systems Design, and Computer Manufacturing are only some subsectors under the “tech sector.” The growth of technological innovation definitely adds to functional diversity, which we mentioned in class last week, is the idea that someone can walk into a restaurant in New York City and everyone is doing something different. The tech sector contributes to this because it is such a larger umbrella that includes so many subsectors of related but different jobs that use technology.
Another benefit of the advancement of technology in New York City is a shift in reliance from the finance sector to the technological sector. New York City still does heavily rely on the finance sector, but with the rise and development of the tech sector, I definitely foresee a shifting in reliance to the tech sector in New York City’s future. This is a benefit because the city should not be so dependent on one sector because if the sector crashes or has a recession, so will the city. We mentioned this idea in class as well when we mentioned what happened in 2008. However, technology, especially Internet based technology, has a way of keeping people connected to each other and to the world. Technology has the ability to give people voices to share their opinions and express ideas. I mentioned in my last post that being aware of issues in a society and possible solutions is an important part of being a member of a functional democracy. Well, technology enables this because it can bring attention to modern issues and people can write and publish their ideas and possible solutions online. However, I do believe that technology does come drawbacks and its potential might not the reality, or that it can be a dangerous slope with consequences.
I think disagreement on these benefits is definitely possible. One could argue that the tech sector will eventually run out of job opportunities or that the only people that can work in the tech sector are those that can afford some college education or intensive courses that prepare for specific jobs. In addition, even though Steve Blank, Maria Gotsch, and Maria Torres-Springer and I believe that the growth of technological innovation has contributed to diversity in New York City, one could argue that Silicon Valley, a relatively homogeneous hub, is a leader in technological innovation without much diversity. One could also disagree with New York City being less reliant on one sector, but is instead shifting reliance in a way that is still unhealthy to the city’s economy. What if New York City becomes just as reliant on the tech sector as it is now on the finance sector?
A negative of the growth of technological innovation is that not everyone has access to it. Only those that can afford technology are able to take advantage of it and only those that can afford proper education and intensive courses are those that can contribute to its innovation. In addition, New York City can become reliant on technology in more than one way. Mr. Tynan-Connelly said, “The city has the largest budget it ever had. But the homeless are still suffering while working-class families, including my students, struggle to find affordable housing and child care. Where are the benefits from the boom that are accruing to the whole city?” He was talking about San Francisco becoming a hub for the wealthy since only the wealthy are able to take advantage and rely on the innovation of technology. In addition, private technology companies can possibly contribute as a “pressure from above” if they gain too much power, in the sense that too many people rely on their services or products.
Another excellent analysis, Crystal! I especially appreciate that you integrate each new assignment with what you have written in earlier posts and what we have discussed in class. The tech sector by itself will not even out inequalities even if its leaders are thoughtful entrepreneurs. Indeed, with civic tech, they propose that society should be improved from OUTSIDE of government. Maybe true, but problematic.