Chapter 1: Reading Response
Satellite imaging technology is typically used to capture detailed photographs of the earth
and its different parts. In the video titled “The Cow Jumped Over the Moon,” it is stated that the
satellite imaging technology is also used to film vegetation environments and to monitor borders
between countries as well as monitoring and locating other countries’ resources. When it comes
to mapping applications to weather sites, I interact and use satellite imaging almost every single
day. I use the weather app every morning to plan my outfits accordingly and I use Waze or
Google Maps to get around unfamiliar places in the shortest amount of time possible. This video
was very eye-opening for me because it was a reminder of how advanced technology is and the
possibilities it creates, as well as the issues it creates. I use satellite imaging technology everyday
and often don’t even think about the possibility of not having access to it in my day-to-day life.
Although it’s important to acknowledge the positive impacts of today’s technology, I
believe it’s more important to acknowledge the disadvantage others have in which they do not
have access to the same information. As stated in the film, the issue that arises with this
technology is that there’s a big possibility that people will start charging for the data it provides.
This is a potential issue because less developed countries, such as the cattle ranchers in this film,
will most likely not be able to afford the data they have recently become dependent on. The
cattle ranchers/herdsmen of the Kamb village depended on the photos from the satellite to find
pasture and water to survive and grow their community. If the day comes that they have to pay
for them, it’s going to lead to an issue of power because the wealthier, industrialized, and
technologically advanced countries will be able to exploit the less developed country and profit
off of their land and resources. This is saddening to hear because people of less developed
countries such as the Kamb village are only looking to use land to use for farming and resources
to survive, while selfish advanced countries will interfere with their resources and ultimately
leave them at a major disadvantage.
