Knowledge/ Information an Internet Symptomology
People started getting together and exploring the idea that there was going to be a revolution in technology which was going to change society drastically (Wozniak 1986 cited in Heap, Thomas et al 1995).
Success in just about any field has become impossible without information technology. In all economic sectors, it is apparently set to change everything that human beings do in advanced societies.
Individuals perceive such revolution from acquisition of personal computers, direct broadcasting by satellite, automated work or in the potential for push-button democracy. While differing over details, though many seem to agree that bringing together computing with telecommunications spells the start of a new age.
Initiation in the processes of information handling, transmission, storage and retrieval is the key to future prosperity and to qualitatively different ways of life. Failure to proceed in this direction carries dire consequences.
Modern information technologies bring great benefits but yet pose great problems. The benefits and problems are not new. It provides a sense of mixed blessings both pleasure and dismay.
What is of significance today is that information technologies have been and would continue to be powerful that their benefits and problems are unprecedented, involving us all on a global scale.
Information technology is seen to strengthen a great variety of communities of interest. Improved technology allows formation of many new, smaller communities of interest, and also allows existing, larger communities of interest power to attain a transnational character.
The high motivation of common interests, combined with ease of communication, allows such communities of interest and existing larger communities of interest the motivation to be extremely flexible and productive, thereby contributing more to scientific, technological and artistic progress in a greater number of areas than formal or governmental organisations do.
New electronic data bases provide selective access to the specific information that people need. Information technologies increasingly support service industries and contribute to the improvement of the quality of service. These technologies create enormous job opportunities in the area of software development and production. Information technologies make life more convenient and efficient by permitting people to oppose manual labour by promoting security and by providing everyday conveniences.
However, problems which have been and will be created by information technologies are multi-fold. Significant differences already exist in the amount of information available in different regions, and these differences could increase. In information-rich regions, the information supply is much larger than could be possibly consumed, yet in these regions, people have difficulty in obtaining precisely the information they need.
Some governments in the information-poor regions may be weary of new information and reluctant to promote certain types of communities of interest, despite the fact that remote access to information-rich regions can be made by means of low-cost terminals.
Information technology has promoted the dissemination of information but with the existence of economic, political, religious, ideological, educational and other factors, there are large differences among regions in the amount of information available.
The emergence of the internet as a communication and social interaction tool was initially met with great hopes for revitalising the flattering sense of community. However, the disadvantage to internet interaction and “virtual” social connections between people who may never meet in person becomes a social liability.
The greatest fear is that online social ties would substitute for real social bonds. The more we connect online, the more we abandon our neighbours and families, preferring online relationships for their greater degree of freedom. The online environment thereby becomes a change from people to technology.
“Cyberspace” is termed as a virtual reality, one regarded to designate the “substance” of the three-dimensional space protected by the computer as bits of information, rather than a physical territory.
Cyberspace is known to bring possibilities of connectivity and openness. It is a force in its own right, the uncanny autonomy of which threatens the sovereignty of the human race if not used with caution.
References
Heap, N., Thomas, R., Einon, G., Manson, R. And Mackay, H.
(1995) (ed.) Information Technology and Society.
London: Sage Publications
Inose, H. And Pierce, J. (1984) Information Technology and
Civilisation. New York: Freeman
Ryan, M. (1999) (ed.) Cyberspace Textuality.
USA: Indiana University Press
