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Is Technology Going To Far? A Video That Will Cause You To Ponder

By Tarris Rogers

Real Estate Agent with Cascade Sotheby's International Realty

November 10, 2009 11:04 AM

I'll admit it. I am a technology junkie. I love gizmo's and gadgets. However as much as I might love and even embrace technology there's always been a blinking red light in the back of my mind that has caused me to pause now and again and ponder whether or not all our technological advances are really as beneficial as we might want to believe.

Then I saw the following video today that gave me that queasy feeling you get when you know you've just made a wrong turn and don't know where you are.

In many ways when it comes to Technology, you might say we have already passed the point of no return. What surprises that lie ahead will likely affect most of the people on this planet.

If I could offer any advice on the use of technology it would be this; when it comes to your professional life, technology is opening new doors that allow even a brand new agent to get exposure in a way that was unheard of just 10 years ago. Social Media and other online mediums can help people to get to know us and bond with us on a level that could greatly impact our financial welfare for the better.

When it comes to our private life, I would say to keep it exactly that...private. This also hold true for our clients. We owe our clients respect for their private lives. As real estate industry experts we are placed into a position of trust by our clients. We typically know more about our clients personal lives than sometimes their personal friends do.

For that reason, before we tweet, blog, facebook, youtube or use a myriad other online methods for displaying our clients homes and stories, we need to step back and think about what we might be putting out there about both us and our clients that will stay in cyberspace forever.

As a final thought, I am reminded of a Latin phrase I learned in high school while taking Business Law:

Caveat emptor...(buyer beware)

What are your thoughts on this?

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Bob Jakowinicz

National Realty Centers Livonia--Bob Jakowinicz - Livonia, MI

Michigan Real Estate Agent-- MI Real Adventures

Tarris, I agree to keep your personal life private. Technology is not only growing really fast it seems to be picking up speed. We do still need to be trained properly to do our jobs but I think this may only be the beginning of what social media can do.

Nov 10, 2009 11:08 AM

Tarris Rogers

Cascade Sotheby's International Realty - Bend, OR

Bend Oregon Real Estate

You're right, technology seems to be accelerating at a pace that leaves us breathless in trying to keep up. I've come to the point where I am looking long and hard at anything I choose to incorporate into my business to determine whether the return is worth the time and effort. Your thoughts on all this being the beginning for social media is spot on. Thanks for your comment.

Nov 10, 2009 11:14 AM

Elizabeth Bolton

RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA

Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Tarris ~ I used to fear Bill Gates' planned takeover of the world - nowadays I really do find the Big G's overarching stranglehold on so many things - particularly search - very unsettling. When so much of business relies on internet traffic why we are allowing one company to dominate search is beyond me. Admittedly they do a number of things very well so I've given up my shunning but I still am very worried about the larger picture.

Nov 10, 2009 12:29 PM

John Thomas

E3 Green HOMES - Boulder, CO

EcoBroker, MSEE, MBA

Like you, I am a sucker for gadgets too, technology gadgets that is. But for me it is a form of entertainment. When it comes to business, it's important to think about the desired outcome of any given task and ask how the technology can help achieve that. It's very easy to follow the technology down a meaningless and time-consuming road to no where...

Nov 10, 2009 12:37 PM

Greg VanLaere

Danville, IN

Just when I have it all figured out... There is a new app for that!

Nov 10, 2009 12:52 PM

Anthony Ebright - NMLSR ID #247647 Purchase and Refinance Mortgages

FHA, VA, Conforming, Jumbo - Wells Fargo Home Mortgage - Santa Rosa, CA

Tarris, I have to admit, technology is a double edge sword. In our industry, I feel we have to stay connected with it, but we also have to balance this evolving world with personal privacy. I'm still trying to find that balance. I worry that the younger generation has completely embraced this new connectivity without any concerns about privacy.

Nov 10, 2009 02:43 PM

Elizabeth - I understand what you're saying. I use many Google tools and they have been very helpful to me. But as you point out, at what point should the line be drawn? I remember when Bill Gates made the uber mistake of dismissing the Internet as something that would not play that big of a role in all of our lives. He sure learned his lesson on that one. Google seems to be to the world what Microsoft once was.

John - I think that's a great philosophy to work by. We really do need to examine the tangible benefits of whatever technology we choose to embrace.

Greg - And it never seems to end!

Anthony - I agree with your sentiments. My generation (I'm 40) was the first generation to be raised with the computer, so it's been a natural progression for me through the years as technology has expanded, however I too have seen this new generation of young people who don't seem to care a bit about privacy concerns and that worries me.

Nov 10, 2009 05:49 PM

DeAnna Troupe

Learn Small Business - Stone Mountain, GA

Tarris,

You've raised some interesting points. I do think it's a good idea to be cautious about the information that you post online. You certainly should only post publicly information that will help your clients get the sale. I'm still not sure exactly where the line should be drawn between privacy and transparency. I think that line is different for each person.

Nov 11, 2009 07:47 AM

DeAnna - You bring up a good point. The line may be different for everyone. Like you said, that line seems to be confusing for a lot of people. It definately deserves some serious consideration on our part.

Nov 12, 2009 04:29 AM

Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807

HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ

Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Tarris - Kinda eerie and creepie. It does make you think about all that information floating around the information highway, forever.

Nov 13, 2009 01:04 PM

Troy, I know what you mean, it did the same for me. Forever is a long time. Thanks for your comment.

Nov 13, 2009 03:46 PM

Golden Sunshine

Rock Of Ages - Dalton, NY

Hello
(Lisadokie@yahoo.com)My name is Lisa Dokie, i saw your profile today and became interested in you,i will also like to know you more,and if you can send an email to my email address,i will give you my pictures here is my email address(Lisadokie@yahoo.com) I believe we can move from here! Awaiting for your mail to my email address above , Remember the distance or age or color does not matter but love matters a lot in life, i will be waiting to hear from you soon.
Yours
Lisa

Jul 25, 2011 10:36 AM

Is Technology Going To Far? A Video That Will Cause You To Ponder

Caveat emptor...(buyer beware)

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