By LAUREN SEARS
Staff Writer
The Chief Technology Officer of the Hearst Corporation gave students and faculty a sneak peek into the future of technology. Philip Wiser spoke at the event, “It’s a Mobile, Global World,” on Wednesday, Feb. 26 in the
Touhey Forum.
Wiser is considered a pioneer in the online music industry. He built the first online music distribution platform, and he currently leads technology and digital
product strategies at Hearst.
The topics discussed at the lecture included the impact and challenges of living and working in a world without location and time restrictions, and the fast changing technologies that make this possible. “It’s a Mobile, Global
World” was a Q&A format that was moderated by Times Union Editor Rex Smith.
The lecture also included a guest panel: Dr. Kathleen Crowley, Saint Rose professor of psychology; Vera Dordick, co-owner of Tangible Development, a
Guilderland consulting firm; and Olena Sadovnik, a Fulbright student from Ukraine in the graduate communications program at Saint Rose, who added their thoughts on the impacts and challenges that mobile technology has on business, education, and international affairs.
Smith asked Wiser, “Does the recent digital interconnectedness interfere with our human connectedness?” Wiser answered, “Everything will be in the cloud
in the next 20 years. …and I don’t think the government can keep up with the pace of change.”
The lecture allowed audience members to hear different perspectives and opinions about the future of technology.
“Allowing different perspectives to give their viewpoints and having Wiser elaborate on those perspectives was very interesting,” sophomore Chris Crucetti
said. “I am not sure I would say the lecture inspired me, but it certainly
informed me and I would say that it excited me to hear about all the amazing technological advances that Wiser predicts could happen in the not-so-distant
future.”
“It’s a Mobile, Global World” featured an interactive live Twitter feed. Audience members could tweet along with the lecture by using the #mobileglobal.
Junior Ashley Sweet enjoyed this feature. “That was awesome. It made the presentation feel more relatable and was very appropriate for the topic of mobile global,” said Sweet, who is a communications major. “If it’s an option it should be used more often.”
Another audience member also had similar remarks.
“I liked the Twitter stream because I honestly think it helped me pay attention more,” junior Kacey O’Brien said. “I don’t really remember the panel discussion. I only remember the part about the Ukraine, and Twitter Philip Wiser has helped.”
Wiser also pulled out a pair of Google Glass. He believes that Google Glass and products like that will be the social norm in 20 years. The audience was fascinated by Google Glass. In fact, a Saint Rose communication student
and Professor Mary Alice Molgard were both allowed to try on the Google Glass once the event ended.
“I attended the event because it was required for a class, but it turned out to be a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. The most enjoyable part was the Google Glass. I was so excited that I got to try them on,” O’Brien said. “My favorite part of the Google Glass was that it tricks your brain into thinking you see a full screen, but really the screen is no bigger than a
postage stamp. I also got to take a picture of Phil Wiser with the Google Glass which was very different than taking a picture with a normal camera.”
COM 417 students also recorded “It’s a Mobile, Global World.” One COM 417 student was particularly engaged during this event. “I really enjoyed the entire event, especially when Wiser pulled out the Google Glass,” Monica Santiago said. “I’ve never seen a pair in real life. It was amazing to talk and learn about thoughts on what’s to come in the future of technology.”
Santiago is a senior who ultimately wants to be in television production. “I loved it so much. The experience of setting everything up, and breaking down wasn’t bad at all. We recorded the event and it was an amazing experience. The
hands-on experience definitely did help me—anything and everything to buildup my knowledge of the industry. This is what I would love to do ultimately in
my life so every little bit helps,” Santiago said.
“It’s A Mobile, Global World” was a part of the William Randolph Hearst Lecture on Innovation in Communications series at Saint Rose.
