For many, a long-distance hike on the 2,650+ mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is the adventure of a lifetime. The federally designated National Scenic Trail passes through 48 Wilderness Areas in California, Washington, and Oregon on its way from Mexico to Canada. The trail experience on the PCT has been changing rapidly over the last 20 years due to two main factors: a four-fold increase in hikers attempting the whole trail each season; and hikers’ rapid adoption of digital technology like smartphones, GPS, and satellite messengers. Through a literature review and accompanying hiker survey, this study aimed to determine how these two factors have combined to alter the trail experience. Despite increased traffic on the trail, hikers appear to still be able to find ample solitude and a feeling of escape from society, and they reported being more likely to form lasting friendships as part of a “trail family”. However, increased traffic has altered many of the sensitive natural landscapes along the trail, contributed to the retirement of some iconic “trail angels” and led to increased conflict between subcultures within the community. Digital technology usage, particularly the use of smartphones and GPS-capable mapping apps, seems to be linked to decreased feelings of solitude, self-sufficiency, and escape. However, digital devices have helped democratize long-distance hiking by simplifying the logistics of long-distance hikes. Users of the devices also did not report reduced feelings of freedom or challenge from their hikes. Moreover, device users still felt that they were disconnecting with technology when hiking on the trail. Acknowledging both positive and negative effects of the changing trail experience, hikers can make more informed decisions about how to mitigate the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts on the aspects of the trail experience they care the most about.

Phoenix Police officers are required to wear Body-Worn Cameras while out on patrol and must have the cameras turned on when interacting with the public. The Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Policy was initially established as a means of accruing evidence and increasing police accountability when in the presence of the public. However, BWC technology has the ability to perform many other useful functions. The information provided by the cameras could be used to reduce the paperwork done by police officers while on duty, thus allowing them to spend more time taking calls from dispatch. The versatility of the body-worn camera and its components also make it an ideal pairing for an electrocardiograph (ECG) device to aid in the health of officers and law enforcement retention.

This study investigates the impact of technology and social media on religious practices and beliefs concerning death and the afterlife. As the concept of a "Digital Afterlife" becomes more prevalent, questions surrounding its compatibility with religious belief systems and implications on privacy arise. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the issue, prompting social media platforms to develop digital wills, although their usage remains limited. This research seeks to explore how the Information Age is shaping the concept of the afterlife, its alignment with major religious belief systems, and perceptions of the digital afterlife across various societal groups. Furthermore, the study examines the role of social media in redefining religious values, norms, and boundaries, highlighting the importance of engaging in an ongoing conversation about the complex and evolving intersection of religion, technology, and death.

Since its introduction, the use of technology has been rapidly expanding and has been integrated into almost every aspect of daily life. Alongside this growth, there has been an increasingly urgent movement for sustainability and to fight climate change. Because technology is so prevalent in society today, it is important to understand how the use of technology relates to sustainability and climate change. While technology has been beneficial to society, it requires vast amounts of energy to power, which causes significant environmental degradation. On the other hand, technology also has provided useful in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. This can be seen in areas such as efficient transportation and logistics systems and smart cities. Thus, technology has the potential to positively impact the environment, but its negative effects must also be reduced. Technology companies also play a large role in the reduction of carbon emissions, as they provide much of the services and technology that we use today. Companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have all made commitments to sustainability, and it is important that they are held accountable to these commitments. Additionally, as new technologies emerge, their environmental impact must also be calculated. The findings of this thesis show that the main negative impacts of technology come from its energy use and its life cycle, while the main positive impacts come from its indirect effect on production processes, systems, and industries. In the long-term, these indirect positive effects are expected to increase, but the energy demands of technology will also increase. Therefore, managing the energy demands of technology while also allowing for increased efficiency and reductions in carbon emissions is the main challenge that companies face regarding sustainability.