Misunderstanding Media

The 1980s saw constant reports of an information revolution. This book first published in 1986 challenges this view. It argues that the information revolution is an illusion a rhetorical gambit an expression of profound historical ignorance and a movement dedicated to purveying misunderstanding and disseminating disinformation. In this historically based attack on the information revolution Professor Winston takes a had look at the four central information technologies â telephones television computers and satellites. He describes how these technologies were created and diffused showing that instead of revolution we just have âbusiness as usualâ. He formulates a âlawâ of the suppression of radical potential â a law which states that new telecommunication technologies are introduced into society only insofar as their disruptive potential is contained. Despite the so-called information revolution the major institutions of society remain unchanged and most of us remain in total ignorance of the history of technology. . Language: English