CHAPTER 3 LESSON 1 THE INFORMATION AGE
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
• define Information Age;
• discuss the history of the Information Age; and
• understand the factors that need to be considered in checking website sources.
…INTRODUCTION
Our society has become very modern and advanced, with a lot of technology and
automation. We use data and technology in many parts of our lives, like how we
communicate, do business, and even how we take care of our health and the
environment. Information can be shared quickly and easily, and this has had a big impact
on society. We will talk about how technology has changed over time and how it has
affected different parts of society.
Life is accompanied by endless transmission of information that takes place within
and outside the human body. According to Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged
Dictionary, information is "knowledge communicated or obtained concerning a specific
fact or circumstance. Hence, information is a very important tool for survival.
The Information Age is defined as a "period starting in the last quarter of the 20th
century when information became effortlessly accessible through publications and the
management of information by computers and computer networks" ([Link],
n.d.). The means of conveying symbolic information (e.g., writing, math, other codes)
among humans has evolved with increasing speed. The Information Age is also. called
the Digital Age and the New Media Age because it was associated with the
development of computers.
According to James R. Messenger who proposed the Theory of the Information
Age in 1982, "the Information Age is a true new age based upon the interconnection of
computers via telecommunications, with these information systems operating on both a
real-time and as-needed basis. Furthermore, the primary factors driving this new age
forward are convenience and user-friendliness which, in turn, will create user
dependence."
HISTORY
the table below traces the history and emergence of the Information Age (United States
America History, n.d.
Table 1. Timeline of the Information Age
Year Event
3000 BC Sumerian writing system used pictographs to represent words
2900 BC Beginnings of Egyptian hieroglyphic writing
1300 BC Tortoise shell and oracle bone writing were used
500 BC Papyrus roll was used
220 BC Chinese small seal writing was developed
100 AD Book (parchment codex)
105 AD Woodblock printing and paper was invented by the Chinese
1455 Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press using movable metal
type
1755 Samuel Johnson's dictionary standardized English spelling
1802 • The Library of Congress was established
• Invention of the carbon arc lamp
1824 Research on the persistence of Vision published
1830s • First viable design for a digital computer
• Augusta Lady Byron writes the world's first computer program
1837 Invention of the telegraph in Great Britain and the United States
1861 Motion pictures were projected onto a screen
1876 Dewey Decimal system was introduced
1877 Eadweard Muybridge demonstrated high-speed photography
1899 First magnetic recordings were released
1902 Motion picture special effects were used
1906 Lee DeForest invented the electronic amplifying tube (triode)
1923 Television camera tube was invented by Zvorkyn
1926 First practical sound movie
1939 Regularly scheduled television broadcasting began in the
US
1940s Beginnings of information science as a discipline
1945 Vannevar Bush foresaw the invention of hypertext
1946 ENIAC computer was developed
1948 Birth of field-of-information theory proposed by Claude E.
Shannon
1957 Planar transistor was developed by Jean Hoerni
1958 First integrated circuit
1960s Library of Congress developed IC MARC (machine-readable code)
1969 UNIX operating system was developed, which could handle
multitasking
1971 Intel introduced the first microprocessor chip
1972 Optical laserdisc was developed by Philips and MCA format
1974 MCA and Philips agreed on a standard videodisc encoding format
1975 Altair Microcomputer Kit was released: first personal computer for the
public
1977 RadioShack introduced the first complete personal computer
Apple Macintosh computer was introduced
Mid 1980s Artificial intelligence was separated from information science
1987 Hypercard was developed by Bill Atkinson's recipe box metaphor
1991 Four hundred fifty complete works of literature on one CDROM were
released
January 1997 RSA (encryption and network security software) Internet security code
cracked for a 48-bit number
0
EVOLUTION OF MAN AND INFORMATION
As man evolved, information and its dissemination have also evolved in many ways.
Eventually, we no longer kept them to ourselves; instead, we shared them and
managed them in different means. Information got ahead of us. It started to grow at a
rate we were unprepared to handle.
Because of the abundance of information, it was difficult to collect and manage them
starting in the 1960s and 1970s. During the 1980s, real angst set in. Richard Wurman
called it "Information Anxiety." In the 1990s, information became the currency in the
business world. Information was the preferred medium of exchange and the information
managers served as information officers. In the present generation, there is no doubt that
information has turned out to be a commodity, an overdeveloped product, mass-
produced, and unspecialized. Soon, we become overloaded with it.
Different authors have diverse, contrasting ideas on the evolution of the Information Age.
Despite this, we can still say that information is a very important tool that helps improve
our way of life. “One thing is for sure, the Information Age will continue to move
forward and be far greater than our minds could imagine’’.
In his article "Truths of the Information Age" (n.d.), Robert Harris detailed some facts
about the Information Age.
1. Information must compete. There is a need for information to stand out and be
recognized in the increasing clutter.
• In today's digital age, with a constant stream of content bombarding users
on social media platforms, news websites, and other online sources,
information must compete for attention to be noticed.
2. Newer is equated with truer. We forget the truth that any fact or value can endure.
• Society often assumes that the latest information or news is the most
accurate or relevant, disregarding the enduring value of facts or principles.
3. Selection is a viewpoint. Choose multiple sources for your information if you want
to receive a more balanced view of reality.
• To gain a comprehensive understanding of a complex issue, it's essential to
consult diverse sources that may offer different perspectives and
viewpoints.
4. The media sells what the culture buys. In other words, information is driven by
cultural priorities.
• Media outlets tailor their content to align with prevailing cultural trends and
interests, shaping the information landscape according to societal
preferences.
5. The early word gets the perm. The first media channel to expose an issue often
defines the context, terms, and attitudes surrounding it.
• The initial coverage of a breaking news story sets the tone and influences
public perception, highlighting the significance of being the first to report on
an event.
6. You are what you eat and so is your brain. Do not conclude unless all ideas and
information are presented to you.
• It's important to critically evaluate information and consider multiple
viewpoints before forming opinions or making decisions, as the information
consumed can shape one's perspective.
7. Anything in great demand will be counterfeited. The demand for incredible
knowledge, scandals, and secrets is ever-present; hence, many events are
fabricated by tabloids, publicists, or other agents of information fraud.
• Tabloid newspapers often publish sensationalized stories or celebrity gossip
to cater to the public's appetite for scandal, even if the information lacks
credibility.
8. Ideas are seen as controversial. It is almost certainly impossible to make any
assertion that will not find some supporters and some detractors.
• Controversial topics such as politics or religion often elicit strong opinions
and provoke debates, highlighting the subjective nature of ideas and
viewpoints.
9. Undead information walks ever on. Rumors, lies, disinformation, and gossip
never truly die down. They persist and continue to circulate.
• False information or urban legends can persistently resurface and spread
through social media platforms, despite efforts to debunk them, illustrating
the challenge of combating misinformation.
10. Media presence creates the story. People behave much differently from the way
they would if being filmed when the media are present, especially film news or
television media.
• Public figures may alter their behavior or speech when aware of media
scrutiny, shaping the narrative surrounding their actions or statements.
11. The medium selects the message. Television is mainly pictorial, partially aural,
and slightly textual, so visual stories are emphasized: fires, chases, and disasters.
• Television news often prioritizes visually compelling stories that can be
easily conveyed through images, such as dramatic events or emergencies.
12. The whole truth is a pursuit. The information that reaches us is usually selected,
verbally charged, filtered, slanted, and sometimes, fabricated. What is neglected
is often even more important than what is included.
• News coverage may focus on certain aspects of a story while overlooking
others, leading to a partial understanding of events and highlighting the
importance of seeking comprehensive information.
COMPUTER
Computers are among the most important contributions of advances in the Information
Age to society. A computer is an electronic device that stores and processes data
(information). It runs on a program that contains the exact, step-by-step directions to solve
a problem (UShistory. org, 2017).
TYPES OF COMPUTER
Computers are associated with numerous terms and descriptions.
Most people suggest the dimensions, intended use, or the computer's power. While the
term "computer" can apply to virtually any device that has a microprocessor in it, most
people think of a computer as a device that receives input from the user through a mouse
(hand-guided directions tool) or keyboard, processes it in some fashion, and presents the
result on a screen.
1. Personal Computer (PC)
It is a single-user instrument. PCs were first known as microcomputers since they were
complete computers but built on a smaller scale than the enormous systems operated by
most businesses
2. Desktop Computer
It is described as a PC that is not designed for portability. The assumption with a desktop
is that it will be set up in a permanent spot. A workstation is simply a desktop computer
that has a more powerful processor, additional memory, and enhanced capabilities for
performing a special group of tasks, such as 3D graphics or game development. Most
desktops offer more storage, power, and versatility than their portable versions
([Link], 2017).
3. Laptops
These are portable computers that integrate the essentials of a desktop computer in a
battery-powered package, which are somewhat larger than a typical hardcover book.
They are commonly called notebooks.
4. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
These are tightly integrated computers that usually have no keyboards but rely on a touch
screen for user input. PDAs are typically smaller than a paperback, lightweight, and
battery-powered ([Link], 2017).
5. Server
It refers to a computer that has been improved to provide network services to other
computers. Servers usually boast powerful processors, tons of memory, and large hard
drives ([Link], 2017).
6. Mainframes
These are huge computer systems that can fill an entire room. They are used especially
by large firms to describe the large, expensive machines that process millions of
transactions every day. The term "mainframe" has been replaced by enterprise server.
Although some supercomputers are single computer systems, most comprise multiple,
high-performance, parallel computers working as a single system ([Link], 2017).
Servers: Servers are commonly used in various computing environments, including small
businesses, data centers, cloud computing platforms, and web hosting services.
Mainframes: Mainframes are typically found in large enterprises, financial institutions,
government agencies, and other organizations with demanding computing needs. They
are used for critical business operations that require high levels of reliability, security, and
processing power.
[Link] Computers
They involve materials that are usually integrated into cell phones, watches, and other
small objects or places. They perform common computer applications such as databases,
email, multimedia, and schedulers ([Link], 2017).
THE WORLD WIDE WEB (INTERNET)
Several historians trace the origin of the Internet to Claude E.
Shannon, an American Mathematician who was considered as the "Father of Information
Theory." He worked at Bell Laboratories and at age 32, he published a paper proposing
that information can be quantitatively encoded as a sequence of ones and zeroes.
The Internet is a worldwide system of interconnected networks that facilitate data
transmission among innumerable computers. It was developed during the 1970s by the
Department of Defense. In case of an attack, military advisers suggested the advantage
of being able to operate on one computer from another terminal. In the early days, the
Internet was used mainly by scientists to communicate with other scientists. The
Internet remained under government control until 1984 (Rouse, 2014).
One early problem faced by Internet users was speed. Phone lines could only transmit
information at a limited rate. The development of fiber-optic cables allowed for billions of
bits of information to be received every minute. Companies like Intel developed faster
microprocessors so personal computers could process incoming signals at a more rapid
rate ([Link], 2017).
Sergey Brin and Larry Page, directors of a Stanford research project, built a search
engine that listed results to reflect page popularity when they determined that the most
popular result would frequently be the most usable. After talking with family, friends, and
other investors into contributing $1 million, the researchers launched their company in
1998.
Google is now the world's most popular search engine, accepting more than 200 million
queries daily.
Electronic mail, or email, was a suitable way to send a message to fellow workers,
business partners, or friends. Messages could be sent and received at the convenience
of the individual. A letter that took several days to arrive could be read in minutes.
The current Information Age has spawned its breed of wealthy influential brokers, from
Microsoft's Bill Gates to Apple's Steve Jobs to Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg.
APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTERS IN SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
Bioinformatics is the application of information technology to store, organize, and
analyze vast amounts of biological data which is available in the form of sequences and
structures of proteins--the building blocks of organisms and nucleic acids-the information
carrier (Madan, n.d.).
Example:
One example of bioinformatics application is in genomics, specifically in genome
sequencing and analysis. With the advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies
(such as Next-Generation Sequencing), vast amounts of genomic data can be generated
rapidly and cost-effectively. Bioinformatics tools and algorithms are then used to process,
analyze, and interpret these genomic sequences.
For instance, bioinformatics methods are employed to:
1. Assemble raw sequencing reads into complete genomes.
2. Identify genes and regulatory elements within genomes.
3. Compare genomes between different species to study evolutionary relationships.
4. Analyze genetic variations (such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) to
understand their association with diseases or traits.
5. Predict the structure and function of proteins encoded by genes identified in
genomic sequences.
Overall, bioinformatics plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of biological
systems, from the molecular level to the ecosystem level, and contributes to various fields
such as medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental science.
In plant biotechnology, bioinformatics is found to be useful in the areas of identifying
disease-resistance genes and designing plants with high nutritional value (Madan, n.d.).
HOW TO CHECK THE RELIABILITY OF WEB SOURCES
The Internet contains a vast collection of highly valuable information but it may also
contain unreliable, biased information that mislead people. The following guidelines can
help us check the reliability of the web sources that we gather. It is noteworthy to consider
and apply the following guidelines to avoid misinformation. (Lee College Library, n.d.)
1. Who is the author of the article/site?
• How to find out?
Look for an "About" or "More About the Author" link at the top, bottom,
or sidebar of the webpage. Some pages will have a corporate author
rather than a single person as an author. If no information about the
author(s) of the page is provided, be suspicious.
✓ Does the author provide his or her credentials?
✓ What type of expertise does he or she have on the subject he
or she is writing about? Does he or she indicate what his or
her education is?
✓ What type of experience does he or she have? Should you
trust his or her knowledge of the subject?
Try searching on the Internet for information about the author.
✓ What kinds of websites are associated with the author's
name? Is he or she affiliated with any educational institution?
✓ Do commercial sites come up? Do the websites associated
with the author give you any clues to particular biases the
author might have?
2. Who published the site?
• How to find out?
✓ Look at the domain name of the website that will tell you who is
hosting the site. For instance, the Lee College Library website is:
[Link] library. The domain name is "[Link]." This tells
you that the library website is hosted by Lee College.
✓ Search the domain name at http:/ /[Link]/. The site provides
information about the owners of registered domain names. What is
the organization's main purpose? Check the organization's main
website, if it has one. Is it educational? Commercial? Is it a reputable
organization?
✓ Do not ignore the suffix on the domain name (the three-letter part
that comes after the "»). The suffix is usually (but not always)
descriptive of what type of entity hosts the website. Keep in mind that
it is possible for sites to obtain suffixes that are misleading. Here are
some examples:
.edu = educational
.com = commercial
.mil = military
.gov = government
.org = nonprofit
3. What is the main purpose of the site? Why did the author write it and why did the
publisher post it?
• To sell a product?
• As a personal hobby?
• As public service?
• To further scholarship on a topic?
• To provide general information on a topic?
• To persuade you of a particular point of view?
4. Who is the intended audience?
• Scholars or the general public?
• Which age group is it written for?
• Is it aimed at people from a particular geographic area?
• Is it aimed at members of a particular profession or with specific training?
5. What is the quality of information provided on the website?
• Timeliness: When was the website first published? Is it regularly updated? Check
for dates at the bottom of each page on the site.
• Does the author cite sources? Just as in print sources, web sources that cite their
sources are considered more reliable.
• What type of other sites does the website link to? Are they reputable sites?
• What types of sites link to the website you are evaluating? Is the website being
cited by others?
Examples of Useful and Reliable Web Sources
1. AFA e-Newsletter (Alzheimer's Foundation of America newsletter)
2. American Memory - the Library of Congress historical digital collection.
3. [Link] Great Books Online - a collection of free e-books including fiction,
nonfiction, references, and verses.
4. Chronicling America - search and view pages from American newspapers from 1880-
1922.
5. Cyber Bullying - a free collection of e-books from ebrary plus additional reports and
documents to help better understand, prevent and take action against this growing
concern.
6. Drug information websites:
• National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus
• [Link]
• PDRhealth
7. Global Gateway: World Culture & Resources (from the Library of Congress)
8. Google Books
9. [Link]
10. History sites with primary documents:
• AMDOCS: Documents for the study of American history
• Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy (Yale Law School)
• Internet Modern History Sourcebook: Colonial Latin America
• Teacher Oz's Kingdom of History
11. Illinois Digital Archives - the Illinois State Library working with libraries, museums, and
historical societies in Illinois provides this collection of materials related to Illinois history.
12. Internet Archive - a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital
form.
13. Internet Archive for CARLI digitized resources
14. Internet Public Library
15. ipl2 - a merger of Librarians' Internet Index and Internet Public Library. Special interest
may include the "Literary Criticisms" page which can be found after clicking on the
"Special Collections" link.
16. Librarians' Internet Index
17. Making of America - a digital library of primary sources in American social history.
18. Maps - from the University of Texas at Austin collection.
Includes historical and thematic maps.
19. NationMaster - a massive central data source and a handy way to graphically compare
nations. It is a vast compilation of data from such sources as the CIA World Factbook,
UN, and OECD.
20. Nursing sites:
• AHRQ ([Link])
• National Guidelines Clearinghouse ([Link])
• PubMed ([Link])
21. Project Gutenberg - the first and largest single collection of free electronic books with
currently over 20,000 e-books available.
22. Shmoop - literature, US history, and poetry information written primarily by PhD and
masters students from top universities like Stanford, Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale.
23. StateMaster - a unique statistical database which allows you to research and compare
a multitude of different data on US states using various primary sources such as the US
Census Bureau, the FBI, and the National Center for Educational Statistics. It uses
visualization technology like pie charts, maps, graphs, and scatter plots to provide data.
24. Virtual Reference - selected web resources compiled by the Library of Congress.
One can also visit the university library and seek help from librarians as they are
knowledgeable and the library has a rich collection of online library resources that are
very useful for academic and research purposes.
SUMMARY
Nowadays, information can be shared or transferred quickly. People are becoming more
interested in sharing information about themselves. Various aspects of our society are
also being influenced by the Information Age especially communication, economics,
industry, health, and the environment. The rapid upgrade of information poses both
positive and negative impacts on our society. Therefore, we need to carefully check our
motives before disseminating information and we also need to verify information before
believing them and using and sharing them. We should share information that could help
improve our lives and others.