Featured in Five is a monthly section where we pose five questions to a Computing Reviews featured reviewer. Here are the responses from our current featured reviewer, Phoram Mehta (PayPal, San Jose, CA).
Q: What is the most important thing that's happened in computing in the past 10 years?
A: There have been a lot of notable technological advancements that qualify, but the one that strikes me as the most revolutionary is eCommerce/mCommerce. Rarely do we see examples where technology has successfully been able to: transform a concept from the physical world so closely, make it simpler and easier, and create new avenues of commerce in underdeveloped regions (for example, M-Pesa in Kenya). Unlike other computing advancements that have solved a specific problem, mCommerce has had a huge impact on the lives of millions of people. With technical pioneers continuing to research and develop tools and techniques like NFC, identity services, and advanced smartphone electronic payments, it seems to me like the most important development of this decade.
Q: By the end of your career, where do you think computer science will have taken us? What are you working on that might contribute toward that?
A: Computer science has slowly but surely been changing every facet of people's lives. In the last few decades, it has changed the workplace, communications (some aspects), and commerce. Now, in addition to continuing to change these areas, it is also entering people's private lives by way of social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), the living room experience (WiFi, Apple iPad, Google TV, Amazon Kindle, etc.), and transportation.
In the next few decades, I fully expect science and technology to continue to advance and have a major impact on our everyday lives. As an information security professional, I hope to continue to do my part in enabling such transformations in the business world by helping build technologies, products, and processes that empower people to use them in a secure manner.
Q: Who is your favorite historical figure? Why?
A: Gautam Buddha. History to me provides documentation about situations and the consequences of the choices people dealing with them made. Of all the fields of study available, history teaches one more than any other about how to lead a life. Gautam Buddha's experiences, choices, and teachings in general are the most inspiring and relevant to me.
Q: If you weren't working in the computer science field, what would you be doing instead?
A: I would be a veterinarian. I love animals, and that's what I'd be doing today if it weren't for me scoring higher grades in math than biology in my final high school tests where you have to choose your field of further studies.
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
A: Ghazals and Bollywood sound tracks.
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Click here to learn more about Phoram Mehta, and here to read one of his recent reviews.
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