Information Age Overview

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Questions and Answers

What factors did James R. Messenger cite as central to the advancement of the Information Age?

Convenience and user-friendliness are central factors driving the advancement of the Information Age.

How did Richard Wurman characterize the state of information during the 1980s?

Richard Wurman characterized it as 'INFORMATION ANXIETY' due to society's unpreparedness, the abundance of information, and the shift towards sharing information.

In what way did the perception of information change during the 1990s?

In the 1990s, information became regarded as the currency in the business world, making it a preferred medium of exchange.

What limitations did technology aim to address in the context of information exchange?

Technology aimed to address limitations of distance, time, and location in the exchange of information. Signup and view all the answers

What were the historical milestones that facilitated the start of the information revolution?

The invention of language, writing, and printing were historical milestones that facilitated the start of the information revolution. Signup and view all the answers

What innovations characterized the First Information Revolution, and how did they impact communication over long distances?

The First Information Revolution was characterized by the telegraph, telephone, and radio, which greatly enhanced communication over long distances by allowing real-time transmission of information. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the significance of Samuel Morse's contributions to communication technology.

Samuel Morse developed the first operational telegraph model, which revolutionized long-distance communication and was crucial during the American Civil War for military coordination. Signup and view all the answers

How did Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone differ from the telegraph?

The telephone differed from the telegraph by transmitting sound waves, allowing for two-way voice communication rather than just coded messages. Signup and view all the answers

What role did radios play after their invention and how did they impact the military and broadcasting industries?

Radios revolutionized communication by allowing for the transmission of voice and music, significantly impacting military operations during World Wars and leading to the development of broadcasting industries. Signup and view all the answers

What advancements defined the Second Information Revolution, and how did they differ from the First?

The Second Information Revolution was defined by the television, early computers, and satellites, which further advanced communication by introducing visual media and digital technology. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Information Age

Period starting in the late 20th century, characterized by readily available information through publications and computer networks. Also known as the Digital Age or New Media Age.
Proposed by James R. Messenger (1982) as a true new age due to interconnected computers and telecommunications, with real-time and as-needed operation. Convenience and user-friendliness drive this, leading to user dependence.
Richard Wurman (1980s) termed it "Information Anxiety" due to information overload, difficulty in collecting and managing it, and sharing rather than keeping information private.
Information became a commodity in the 1990s, with information managers acting as information officers.
Information is now an overdeveloped, mass-produced, and unspecialized product, still crucial for improving quality of life.

First Information Revolution

Aimed at overcoming communication limitations from mid-19th century to the 1950s.
Began with the telegraph, developed by Samuel Morse, enabling wider communication.
Used extensively during the American Civil War.
Followed by the telephone (Alexander Graham Bell, 1876), enabling sound transmission, affecting businesses, military, and international relations.
The radio, invented by Guglielmo Marconi, allowed voice and music transmission. Marconi's early radio only used Morse code, then Reginald Fessenden invented voice transmission.
Widely used during and after the world wars.

Second Information Revolution

Spanning from the 1950s-1980s.
Television inventions, further communication enhancements.
Early computers development, driven by military and industrial needs. Increased processing power from vacuum tubes to transistors, integrated circuits for increased speed, size and reliability
Satellites were developed for global communication. Sputnik 1 (1957) was the first artificial satellite and started the space age.
SYNCOM III, was the first civilian telecommunications satellite (1964)
INTELSAT 1 (1965) was the first commercial satellite.

Third Information Revolution

Technologies from the previous revolutions paved the way for the Third Revolution.
Key technologies include advanced semiconductors, advanced computers, fiber optics, cellular technologies, satellite technology, advanced networking, improved human-computer interaction, and digital transmission/compression.
Increased global connectivity, convenience, online communities, and easier access to information.

Impacts of the Information Age

Positive Impacts: Enhanced connectivity, greater conveniences (online shopping, etc.), creation of online communities, and wider information accessibility.
Negative Impacts: Misinformation, illegal activities, widening "Digital Divide" which refers to a lack of access to technology & skills, affecting human productivity and human interaction.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of the Information Age, a period marked by the rise of digital communication and information accessibility. This quiz delves into its historical context, the challenges of information overload, and the transition to information as a commodity.