Questioning Whether the Internet of Things is a Good Idea
Andrew: Um, so my friend just moved into a brand new apartment and the place is incredibly hi-tech. It looks like it’s from some sort of TV series.
Andrew: Um, and he’s really happy. He’s a bit of a geek, and the whole house is connected, and the whole house is online. Like, everything; fridge, oven, the works.
Andrew: He can control it all from his phone. Um, personally, I’m not sure that’s a great idea.
Andrew: For example, one of the things he can control is his burglar alarm. He’s got security cameras set up and if- and if the alarm goes off, he can open his phone and get a visual of what’s happening in his house.
Andrew: I can see it being useful in an emergency, um, and I guess it’s better than relying on cameras in the neighbourhood, but also, I don’t think it’s that safe.
Andrew: It can’t be that difficult to hack into the system, um, and then his burglar alarm is just not safe at all. In fact, he could lose control of his entire house. Imagine how weird that would be.
Vocabulary
brand new – (expression) completely new; never used or owned before, “She was so excited to drive her brand new car home from the dealership.”
incredibly – extremely or to a very great degree, “The weather today is incredibly hot, so make sure to drink plenty of water.”
hi-tech – using the most advanced, modern, and complex electronic technology available, “The modern hospital is full of hi-tech equipment to help patients heal faster.”
some sort of – (idiom) a type or kind of something that is not completely clear, exact, or easy to describe, “I heard a strange noise outside that sounded like some sort of animal.”
a bit of a – (idiom) a phrase used to mean “slightly,” “partly,” or “to some small degree,” “Finding the right house turned out to be a bit of a challenge for the young couple.”
geek – (informal) a person who is intensely interested in and knowledgeable about computers, technology, or a specific niche subject, “He is such a computer geek that he builds his own laptops for fun.”
connected – (technology context) linked together electronically or via the internet to share data automatically, “Our smart TV, speakers, and lights are all connected to the home network.”
the works – (idiom) everything that is available, possible, or related to a specific situation or package; the complete amount, “We ordered a large pizza with extra cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, and the works.”
personally – used to introduce your own private opinion, viewpoint, or belief, “Personally, I prefer reading physical books rather than reading on a digital screen.”
burglar alarm – (expression) an electronic security system that makes a loud warning noise if someone tries to break into a building illegally, “The burglar alarm frightened the thieves away before they could steal anything.”
security cameras – (expression) video cameras used to watch over, record, and protect a place from crime or unwanted visitors, “The shop owner installed security cameras near the cash register.”
set up – (phrasal verb) built, arranged, or installed in a specific place so that it is ready for use, “The IT department helped the new employee get her computer and desk set up.”
goes off – (phrasal verb) starts to ring, explode, or make a sudden loud noise (like an alarm or a timer), “My morning alarm clock goes off at exactly six o’clock every day.”
get a visual – (idiom) to be able to see something clearly with your own eyes, or to see a live image of it on a screen, “The pilot flew lower to get a visual of the landing track through the thick fog.”
emergency – a dangerous, serious, or unexpected situation that requires immediate help or action, “You should only call the police or fire department if there is a real emergency.”
relying on – (phrasal verb) depending on, trusting, or counting on someone or something to help you or work correctly, “The team is relying on their best player to score a goal during the final match.”
hack into – (phrasal verb) to gain unauthorized, illegal entry into a computer system, network, or smart device, “Cybercriminals often try to hack into bank accounts to steal money.”
lose control of – (expression) to no longer have the power, ability, or authority to direct, guide, or manage something safely, “The driver started to lose control of the car when it hit the slippery patch of ice.”
weird – very strange, unusual, bizarre, or unexpected, “It felt really weird to walk into the completely empty school building on a Sunday afternoon.”