Winston’s suggestion that the Information Age began when we first harnessed electricity is suspect. Why go back only as far as the invention of the telegraph? Indeed, is the start of the technical evolution, using Winston’s own theory, in any way tied to technology of any kind? Was it not mandated by man’s first urge to communicate with someone else?
What Winston seems to be discussing is the tendency for society to communicate in a way that best supports the culture in which we live. When the needs of society change, our communication tools change, mandating scientific and technological breakthroughs to support the innovation of those tools.
Prehistoric man sought shelter in caves, leaving behind drawings on walls to share the story of his experiences in that place. Undoubtedly, like today’s communicators, he did so sometimes to inform, other times to entertain, and occasionally for simple artistic expression. His communication tools? Rocks and walls. Today rocks and walls are replaced by keyboards and cameras; but the motivation to share our stories with each other remains the same.
If technological advances are, as Winston suggests, based on seismic cultural activity, then what’s next? What social upheavals are happening today to create the development of tomorrow’s technology?
Certainly VoIP is one of those technological advances, but will it give the telephony industry the kind of shake-up that the Economist suggests? If cell phones are becoming the new home phone and command such a significant market share, and business shies away from VoIP as it now exists, with it’s reliance on electricity, then where is the cultural shift to support the Economist reading of the crystal ball?
Thoreau’s assessment of new technology as man’s “pretty toys” seems much too glib and short-sighted. Our connectedness through digital media now affords individuals the opportunity to build community in a world that frequently feels sorely disconnected. The danger, of course, is that we use those same digital tools — iPod playlists, personalized home pages and and a short list of friends on MySpace — to create a digital cocoon serving only to narrow our world.
Nine Lives 
Hi Bonnie,
You raise a good point in your reflections that underscores one of Winston’s key points. Science and technology may produce discoveries and products but if society is not ready to support these discoveries, if the community does not have a reason to need the technology, it will languish.
So, that is really a prime question that we need to answer today as students of communication, what science and technology will be meaningful and compelling for those around us? VOIP is certainly one technology that seems to hold promise as a dominant technology. How will it play out? And what spinoffs will it produce?
I also like your point about digital cocoons. Do I have blinders on that only allow me to see my own world and those who agree with me? Can I expand my perspective and join the broader community that is being provided by this network? Great questions. I’m looking forward to discussing them.
Thanks.
Mark
I had not thought about looking back to the caveman era when thinking about the motives and tools of communication. Why can’t the “technology” of that era be sticks and stones? Or even a method of sorts? I liked your analogy of rocks and walls to keyboards and cameras. Check out Wikipedia’s definition of technology. It is not as tech-y as one might think.
To answer your question about what social upheavals are occurring today that are affecting tomorrow’s technology, I think one area/industry where we will see significant changes in the future is with news reporting and journalism. The introduction of YouTube and blogging has greatly transformed this industry. Bloggers are in the spotlight now more than ever and they are not subject to the same standards and expectations as professional reporters. This has caused much debate within the journalism professional. Even CNN is using YouTube clips as part of their information dissemination.
It is recognized that the Information Age, as we know it, began with the invention of the printing press.
Cave men or women doodling on their walls at home was hardly an exercise in mass communication.