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Module 8

The Information Age

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Trace the stages o of technological history;
2. Explain how technology leads human being to extinction; and
3. Discuss possibilities of human displacement due to technological advancement.

Introduction

As the year progresses the existence of human and its role in this world has
been questioned as humans become more aggressive in developing technologies. The
desire of having a technological world may remove the roles of humans in society ,
making men useless and dispensable.

Lesson 1 : Why Does the Future not need us?

Brief History of technology

According to Schultz (2016), there are four stages of technology. These are:

1. Proto-technology
Focuses on the time when early tools developed before civilization.
2. Classical technology
The rise of agricultural technologies and establishment of communities.
3. Modern technology
This fueled by science concepts and principles which date back about 500
years ago.
4. Post-modern technology
Replaces naturally occurring products with technologically developed
ones. Some of the major post modern technologies include gasoline,
synthetic fertilizers, plastics, PVC and many others.

Technology-driven Extinction and Displacement

Human beings will have the tendency to become extinct either gradually or
suddenly. Two scenarios exists for the gradual extinction of humans.

1. The usual course of life as individual age and replaced by other species more
adapted to the changing world.
2. The disappearance of ecological niche due to abrupt changes man has inflicted
to the ecosystem
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The following are some of the modern technological advancement , the impact of
its implementation and the possible threats to extinction.

1. Ozone layer depletion through chlorofluorocarbons

Chlorofluorocarbon-is a type of nontoxic, nonflammable organic
compounds used to
make plastic foam and are thought to cause depletion of the ozone layer. Ozone
layer protects the planet from ultra violet radiation from the sun. Nations have
come together and assured the public that the use of CFC will be banned as
stipulated in the Montreal Protocol.

2. Usage of fossil fuel leading to global warming and climate change

The increase of heat will cause drastic weather and climate phenomenon
across the regions of the globe. The most recent extinction occurred during
Permian period which was caused by rapid increase of terrestrial and ocean
surface temperature. In 2014, Kolbert clarified that this scenario was caused by
the presence of carbon based greenhouse gases in the atmosphere originating
from melting permafrost.

3. Nuclear war and nuclear contamination

Nuclear reactors have been used in different industries as a source of
energy in spite of Of contamination when they malfunction. Accounts from the
United States Nuclear Energy Institute and Nuclear Regulatory Commission
revealed that in 1986, the fourth major accident happened in Chernobyl nuclear
power facility in Ukraine causing death and leaving thousands
of people exposed to harmful radiations.

4. Plastics
Plastics were regarded as one of the most versatile and useful products
as they were non-toxic to man but later they found toxic to the environment as
they do not enter natural process of recycling.

5. Petroleum –based fertilizer

Petroleum-based fertilizer are non-toxic especially when they are used
solely to increase crop yield and income. However the continuous use of fertilizer
pollute rivers and other bodies of water. The components of fertilizers cause
eutrophication that results to oxygen depletion, cloudiness and foul smell of the
bodies of water.

6. Habitat destruction
Land alternation, deforestation and some agricultural practices contributed
to global warming. Disrupting the natural way how the ecosystem affect human
survival.
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Summing Up

Stages of technology according to Schultz (2016) are proto-technology, classical,

modern and post modern technology. The use of technology gas greatly affect the
living style of human race as most of them develop to improve life of human being. On
the other hand, the developments have cause effect in the environment which could
lead of human in the brink of extinction. Some of the modern technologies that has a
possible threats to extinction are the following :using fossil fuel, pertroleum-based
fertilizer , plastics and many others.

What Have You Learned

A. Fill up the table below

Modern Technological Positive side Negative Effect to humanity

Advancement and environment
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

B. Answer the following :

1. Discuss the different technological stages.
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2. Name a technology which had gone through all the stages. Discuss what had
been evolved in the said technology throughout the stages.
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Lesson 2 : Information Age

The Information age started around 1970’s and up to now. This is also known as
Computer Age, Digital Age or New media Age. In this era, people could access
information and knowledge easily.

What is information?

Information- knowledge communicated or obtained concerning specific fact or

circumstances.

Information Age
A period starting in the last quarter of the 20 th century. Typically described by the
change from the traditional industry to an economy based information computerization.

What are the influences of the past on the Information technology?

 Renaissance
- Invention and changed literature
 Scientific Revolution
- Scientists which paved the way for modern tools and invention
 Industrial Revolution
- Had profound effect on the social, economic , and cultural condition of the
world.

History of Information Age

 Pre-Gutenberg World
 Gutenberg Revolution
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 Post-Gutenberg World
 Rise of Digital Age

Who is Johannes Gutenberg?

Johannes Gutenberg a German publisher who introduced “movable type

printing” in Europe. He established the Gutenberg era which is responsible for shaping
the nature of society.

Pre-Gutenberg World
The information was being spread using print out material, books were written
and produced by hand. They were made in the surfaces of clay, wax and papyrus.
Information was only relayed to other through a word-of-mouth channels.(Stacey,2008)j

Gutenberg Revolution

Began with the introduction of printing. Gutenberg principle existed in such away
that could be passed to individual but the access was very expensive. Most of the book
that were first printed were that of religious texts of medieval period.

Post-Gutenberg World
This period can be described as the emergence of the internet and the worldwide
web. All forms of media instruments enabled the people to publish or spread the
information. Such as video, audio and images.

Rise of Digital Age

The following are the modern technologies and social media platform that are
readily available to pass information from one individual to another.

 Computers
Charles Babbage, an English mechanical engineer who discovered the
computer which were designed for mathematical calculations.
 Internet
Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn created the internet. The internet was mostly
used by scientists to communicate with other scientists.
 World Wide Web
Sir Tim Berners-Lee a British computer scientist, started in the 1990’s
basically for commercial purposes. Today, with the use of the internet ,
one can access the following in the social media.
 Electronic Mail or E-mail
V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai, an Indian born American Scientist claimed the
discovery of E-mail. He started building the system in 1978 when he was
14 years old. Communication was made faster and easier through E-mail.

 Facebook
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Mark Zuckerberg, a computer programmer who first launched the website

in February 4, [Link] is a social networking website where
people could contact one another and meet online to share thoughts,
ideas, photos and videos.
 Twitter
Created in March 2006 by Norah Glass, Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and
Evan [Link] is a networking website where people post and
interact with messages or tweets. One of the most visited website and is
considered as “SMS of the Internet”.( Hughes and Hans, 2017)
 Messenger
Developed as Facebook Chat in2008 but changed its messaging service
in 2010. A messaging service and software application.
 Youtube
The largest online destination and third most visited [Link] website
makes itsway through the social media via tandem of Chad Harley and
Steve Chen.

 Google
Larry Page and Sergey Brin developed Google as a research paper in
[Link] is now the most used search engine in the worldwide
[Link] offers a wide variety of features beyond searching of
[Link] is one of the great competitors of Google.
 Instagram
Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger created the Instagram in October of
[Link] is a user friendly app and can be used to enhance and
give style to your photo.

Summing up
The evolution of technology has made us realize that modernization of
information and communication process have become the power behind social
evolution.

Assessment

What Have You Learned

I. Match Column A with Column B. Write your answer before the number.
Column A Column B

[Link] used search engine in the worldwide [Link] Age

web

2. Computer programmer who first launched B. Charles Babbage

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the website in February 4, 2004

3. Created the Instagram in October of 2010 C. Kevin Systrom and Mike
Krieger
4. An Indian born American Scientist claimed D. Johannes Gutenberg
the discovery of E-mail. He started building
the system in 1978 when he was 14 years old.
5. British computer scientist who discovered [Link]
the World Wide Web.
6. The people behind the creation of internet. F. Post- Gutenberg World
7. An English mechanical engineer who G. Mark Zuckerberg
discovered the computers which were
designed for mathematical calculations.

8. The period of human history typically H. Sir Tim Berners-Lee

described by the change from traditional
industry to an economy based on information.
9. A German blacksmith and publisher who I. Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn
introduced “movable type printing “ in Europe.
10. This era can be described as the J. V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai
emergence of the internet and the worldwide
web.

II. Answer the following :

1. Discuss in chronological order how the information age has come to existence?
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2.  How has the Information Age affected society?

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Reflection
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Write an essay about the impact of information technology in human, school,

family and in society.
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Assignment
Read the  stunning article "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us" by Bill Joy. Write
a reflection paper .

References

Hodges, A. and Hofstadler, D. (n.D) Alan Turing: The Enigma

Joy,B. (2000) Why the future doesn’t need us. Retrieved from
[Link]

Rodriguez, S.(1996) Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political and Social

Events Shaping Their Development

Stacy, R. (2008) Gutenberg and the Social Media revolution: an investigation of the

world where itcosts nothing to distribute information

Zakaria, W.F.A.W.(2012) AlvinToffler:Knowledge and Change in Future

[Link] Journal of Islamic Thought.1: 54-61

Websites

[Link]

[Link]