COM546 : History and Evolution of the Digital
AgeKathy 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.
• 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).
• Two forms: mediated and face-to-face
An Evolution• Caves in France• Paper and charcoal/ink• Printing Press• Telegraph et al (radio, television)• Computer mediated
communications
So, what is new?
1. Scarcity1. 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
Paradox• Pre-voice telephony – we
transferred “data” (eg, wire transfers of money)
• Digital age – our “voice” is now “data” (zeros-and-ones)
Credits
• Presentation by Kathy E. Gill, [email protected], @kegill CC share-and-share alike, non-commercial use
• Images• “Three” : http://www.irasperipheralvisions.com/images/number-
3.jpg• “Reflection”:
http://csem.flinders.edu.au/courses/Computing/DigitalMedia.jpg• “Earth” – NASA• Clock, Tap - iStockPhoto