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, kegill@u.washington.edu, @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