RAMIDO, Angel Mae CLOHS – H141

Information Age

1.Trace the development of the information age

THE STONE AGE

This was the prehistoric period during where stone was widely used to make implements with a
sharp edge, a point or a percussion surfaces. Stones were carved and shaped for different
purposes, one of which was to provide information. In those days, stones were carved as symbols
on the walls and other places to provide information.

THE IRON AGE

The Iron Age was a time in early human history whenpeople began to use tools and weapons
made of iron. The Iron Age started and ended at different times indifferent places. In this age,
tools were mainly made of iron and steel. Tools like hoes and cutlasses were made for agricultural
and war. For the first time villages were fortified, warfare was conducted on horseback and in
horse-drawn chariots, and alphabetic writing based on the Phoenician script became widespread.
This period witnessed many changes in society, including different agricultural practices,
religious beliefs and artistic styles.

THE MIDDLE AGES

This age experienced a major technological advances, which includes themanufacturing of gun
powder, mechanical clock, measuring instruments like the barometer and thermometer,
building techniques and the gearing system. Horses were also used more efficiently during this
period. Feather or quill pens were important writing tool in this age (used by craftsmen and
artists to create beautiful calligraphy and manuscripts.

THE INDUSTRIAL AGE

The Industrial Revolution, which took place from the 18th to 19th centuries, was a period during
which, rural societies in Europe and America became industrial and urban. Prior to the Industrial
Revolution, which began in Britain in the late1700's, manufacturing was done in people’s home,
using hand tools or basic machines. Industrialization marked a shift to powered, special-purpose
hand tools or basic machines. Industrialization marked a shift to powered, special-purpose
machinery, factories and mass production. The iron and textile industries, along with the
development of the steam engine, played central roles in the Industrial Revolution, which also
saw improved systems of transportation, communication and banking. While industrialization
brought about an increased volume and variety of manufactured goods and an improved
standard of living for some it also resulted in often grim employment and living conditions for
the poor and working classes. This period replaced an economy based on manual labor with one
dominated by industry and machine manufacture. The development of metal machine tools
further helped the increase of manufacture of more production machines for manufacturing in
other industries.

ELECTRONIC AGE

The Information Age (also known asthe Computer Age, Digital Age, or New Media Age) is a
period in human history characterized by the shift from traditional industry that the industrial
revolution brought through industrialization, to an economy based on information computerized
on. The onset of the Information Age is associated with the Digital Revolution, just as the
Industrial Revolution marked the onset of the Industrial Age. We are presently in electronic age
where modern technologies are used. In this age, a vast number of electronic equipment
are used, including televisions, radio, video cameras and computers. This covers the period from
the advent of personal computer to the development of internet. Computer is now
acknowledged as the most important part of human existence. It is one of the tools needed for
success and progress today.

2. Discusses its impact on society

Computers, the Internet, and other digital technology are highly powerful tools. As such they
have considerable potential for both helping and damaging communities embracing them. The
Internet, for example, has been used to make companies more effective, to enhance education
and to build online meeting places for people separated by great distances; This has provided a
new platform for fraud , theft, privacy invasions and the dissemination of pornography and hate
speech.

The information age has brought many new inventions and innovations to life. Several
communication services have developed such as texting, email , and social media, and the world
has not been the same since then. People are learning new languages easier and many books
have been translated into different languages, so that people around the world can be educated
more. The Information Age, however, is not all well. There are people in the world who believe
they are able to live their whole life on the Internet. Huge criminal organizations often rely on
breaking into government systems and obtaining sensitive information to maintain their
lifestyles. Jobs have also become simpler and some jobs can even be done from your own home
comfort. The Information Age is also known as the Age of Entrepreneurship. Today entrepreneurs
can start and run a business with greater ease than ever before. This also impacts our work ethic
by distracting us and causing us to lose interest in our job. This period of time has produced a
shortage of jobs and made many jobs obsolete, as machines are now being used to do the work
previously performed by humans.

3.illustrates how the social media and the information age have impacted our lives individually
and the society as a whole

The Information Age has changed people, technology , science, economy , culture and even
people's way of thinking. The Internet is perhaps the Information Age's most influential
invention. The Internet's changed the way people do it all. This has made us lazier but it still
makes the population smarter to a large extent. The Information Age has increased the power of
the developed nations. With online businesses out there being among the most successful and
economically stimulating businesses, economies are getting more from them and keeping our
world turning. People are becoming more sophisticated and more educated because of issues
such as the computer and the Internet. This period of time has reshaped the governments,
introducing new technologies every day. Governments may now have militaries more
sophisticated and efficient. New laws needed to be put in place because of issues like the Internet
to stop hacking, piracy and identity theft.