Technology and society: which of the following scenarios is least likely to occur in the near future, considering technical, social, and policy constraints?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: the presidential election will be done by pushing buttons at home

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Predicting technology adoption requires more than technical feasibility; social acceptance, policy, equity, and security constraints matter. Some ideas sound plausible but face steep barriers that make them unlikely in the near term.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • “Near future” refers to short-to-medium time horizons, not several decades out.
  • Consider legal, cybersecurity, access, and inclusivity constraints.
  • Assume typical democratic processes and labor market dynamics.


Concept / Approach:
Nationwide remote voting “by pushing buttons at home” implies internet voting for high-stakes elections. Despite pilot projects, widespread adoption faces unresolved challenges: ballot secrecy, end-to-end verifiability, coercion resistance, device malware, digital divide, and public trust. By contrast, public debate about information-assistance programs is plausible; hybrid/remote work has grown but will not eliminate workplaces entirely; and automation’s labor impacts are ongoing and contested but plausible in the near term.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Evaluate each option against current constraints.Identify remote home voting for presidential elections as facing the greatest security and policy barriers.Acknowledge that the other scenarios are already present or being debated.Select the least likely near-term outcome.


Verification / Alternative check:
Election-security communities and risk-limiting audit advocates highlight open issues with internet voting. Meanwhile, remote work, automation, and information-assistance debates continue to expand.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Information-assistance program debate: Politically plausible and recurring.
  • Traditional workplace disappearance: Overstated; however, hybrid work increased—still more plausible than nationwide home-button presidential voting.
  • Automation impacts: Already observable in many sectors.


Common Pitfalls:
Equating technical possibility with policy readiness; ignoring coercion and verifiability problems in remote voting.



Final Answer:
the presidential election will be done by pushing buttons at home

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