History and Evolution of the Digital Age Kathy E. Gill 13 January 2009

What is “technology”? 1: technical language; 2a: applied science b: a technical method of achieving a practical purpose 3: a totality of the means employed to provide objects necessary for human sustenance and comfort

Technology, Simply Put Knowledge used to solve problems and extend human potential. Knowledge used to solve problems and extend human potential. Technology is about enabling change and amplifying its direction. Technology is about enabling change and amplifying its direction.

Communication A process in which participants create and share information with one another in order to reach mutual understanding (Rogers, 1995). A process in which participants create and share information with one another in order to reach mutual understanding (Rogers, 1995). Two forms: mediated and face- to-face Two forms: mediated and face- to-face

An Evolution Caves in France / Buildings Caves in France / Buildings Paper and charcoal/ink Paper and charcoal/ink Printing Press Printing Press Telegraph et al (radio, television) Telegraph et al (radio, television) Computer mediated communications Computer mediated communications

So, what is new?

1. Scarcity

2. Distance

"This is the age of telegrams. The public is accustomed to the consideration of facts in the briefest terms.” The Science Record for 1873 The Science Record for 1873 The Science Record for 1873

Paradox Pre-voice telephony – we transferred “data” (eg, wire transfers of money) Pre-voice telephony – we transferred “data” (eg, wire transfers of money) Digital age – our “voice” is now “data” (zeros- and-ones) Digital age – our “voice” is now “data” (zeros- and-ones)

DIGITAL AGE PROGRESSION

Digital Age “Information Era”

Innovations

Zuse Z3 replica on display at Deutsches Museum in Munich Atanasoff–Berry Computer replica at 1st floor of Durham Center, Iowa State University The First Operational Digital Computer (1971) World Wide Web (1989) Webcams (1990s, mainstreamed 2000s) Online Games (1990s, mainstreamed early 2000s) Broadband (mainstreamed 2000s) Wireless Networking (early 2000s) Wireless Headphones (early 2000s) Bluetooth (early-to-mid 2000s) late 1970s 1990s

Technology eases human life…

Issue relating to digital age

Technology create climate change

Global Warming Causes: Carbon Dioxide from Power Plants Carbon Dioxide from Power Plants Carbon Dioxide Emitted from Cars Carbon Dioxide Emitted from Cars Carbon Dioxide from Airplanes Carbon Dioxide from Airplanes Carbon Dioxide from Buildings Carbon Dioxide from Buildings

Can technology stop climate change?

George Bush before heading to Gleneagles and the G8 summit. Instead, he declared, new technologies would suffice to save the environment. “But what sort of technology does he have in mind?”

Some of the projects favoured by the Bush administration are highly speculative, with potential applications many decades away. There are plans to change the reflectivity of the Earth, by placing giant reflective shields in orbit, or injecting shiny particles into the atmosphere. There are plans to change the reflectivity of the Earth, by placing giant reflective shields in orbit, or injecting shiny particles into the atmosphere. -While it might reflect energy from the sun back into space, it is difficult to predict what effect it would have on the atmosphere and global climate.

Other speculative options, such as placing huge carbon extractor fans near cities, have also been proposed. Other speculative options, such as placing huge carbon extractor fans near cities, have also been proposed. Other promising developments, such as the capture of carbon from power plants and its sequestration deep underground, or improvements in the efficiency of fossil fuel power plants,. Other promising developments, such as the capture of carbon from power plants and its sequestration deep underground, or improvements in the efficiency of fossil fuel power plants,.

According to Davies, all of these options should be part of our long term fight against climate change. But we need measures to cut emissions now. "It is a problem which is here with us now."

Development of new technologies can only be a part of a comprehensive approach to climate change, Davies argues. We need to make more efficient use of current technology, to provide up to half of the 60-70% reduction in emissions needed in the next few decades. More prosaically, we need to change our behaviour, too.

Technology damage the climate, and human accustomed with technology. Abusing the technology are also abusing our nature. During this critical period of human history, healing the damage of industrial civilization is the task of our generation. Our response depends on the conscious evolution of our species and this response could very well save this unique blue planet for future generations. The changes is within our hands.