CHAPTER 12: THE INFORMATION AGE:
GUTENBERG TO SOCIAL MEDIA THE GUTENBERG REVOLUTION
refers to the major changes in society
caused by the invention of the printing
JOHANNES GUTENBERG press by Johannes Gutenberg in the
a German blacksmith and publisher, 1440s.
revolutionized society by enabling the first
mass distribution of information through “The printing press was an important step
the printing press. towards the
democratization of knowledge."
GUTENBERG PRINCIPLE — Eisenstein (1969)
where the distribution of information
becomes possible, but expensive and yet CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE
institutionalized. ➢ Scientists could share their
discoveries more easily.
THE PRE-GUTENBERG WORLD ➢ Helped other scientists check and
In early times, books were created manully repeat experiments.
by hand. They were transcribed through clay, ➢ Speeded up the Scientific Revolution.
papyrus, wax, and parchment.
CONTRIBUTION TO TECHNOLOGY
➢ Led to better ways of making paper,
PRE-GUTENBERG WORLD & SCIENCE ink, and books.
➢ Knowledge was mostly based on ➢ Started the idea of mass production
ancient Greek, Roman, and of information.
medieval scholars. ➢ Inspired future inventions like
➢ Learning was preserved in newspapers, telegraphs, and the
handwritten manuscripts, often internet.
copied by monks in monasteries.
➢ Scientific progress was slow CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
because information was not widely ➢ More Voices Heard: Ordinary people
accessible. could express ideas.
➢ Spread of Knowledge: Books and
THE PRE-GUTENBERG WORLD & pamphlets spread ideas about
TECHNOLOGY science, politics, and religion.
➢ No printing press; books were ➢ Rise in Literacy: More people
handwritten, making them rare and learned to read.
expensive. ➢ Organized Distribution: Systems
➢ Communication was limited to were made to manage and control
verbal transmission, letters, and the spread of information.
handwritten scrolls.
➢ Technological innovations were THE POST-GUTENBERG WORLD
small scale, often in agriculture and In this times, the dispersal of information
craftsmanship. took a long time through the printing
press. In 1920, radio broadcasting was
THE PRE-GUTENBERG WORLD & introduced, marking a significant leap in
SOCIETY communication speed. It allowed information
➢ Education was limited to the elite, to spread more quickly and reach wider
clergy, and scholars. audiences.
➢ Knowledge spread slowly and was
controlled by institutions like the According to Stacy (2008), the development
Church and royal courts. of the internet led to two major expansions:
➢ Social hierarchy and tradition ➢ Uploading and downloading
strongly influenced who could different forms of media—such as
access or share information.
images, videos, and audio —became FIRST REVOLUTION (MID-19TH
possible with internet access. CENTURY)
➢ Spreading and publishing Inventions: Telegraph, Telephone, and
information became much easier due Radio.
to various online tools. Improved communication for business,
government, military, and foreign affairs.
POST-GUTENBERG WORLD & SCIENCE
➢ Growth of scientific research during SECOND REVOLUTION (MID-20TH
the Renaissance and Scientific CENTURY)
Revolution. Inventions: Television, Early Computers,
➢ Spread of medical, astronomical, and and Satellites. Faster communication, longer
engineering knowledge. reach, cost savings, industrial and
government progress.
POST-GUTENBERG WORLD &
TECHNOLOGY THIRD REVOLUTION (1980S–PRESENT)
➢ Printing press improved and mass "The Knowledge Revolution”
book production became common. Inventions: Internet, Mobile technology, and
➢ Telegraph and telephone sped up Advanced IT. Changed politics, economics,
long-distance communication. culture, and how knowledge is created and
➢ Radio and early television enabled shared.
real-time mass media
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA
POST-GUTENBERG WORLD & SOCIETY IMPACT TO SCIENCE
➢ Literacy rates increased worldwide. Public Engagement: Scientists can easily
➢ Newspapers became primary share what they discover with people online,
information source. which helps others understand science
➢ Mass media began shaping public better.
opinion. Networking: It lets researchers from
different parts of the world connect,
THE INFORMATION AGE exchange ideas, and even work together.
Humans have always needed to Faster Sharing: Research results can
communicate and exchange information to spread quicker compared to waiting for
share warnings, instructions, comfort, and journals or conferences.
encouragement within a community. In the More Visibility: Posting about studies on
past, distance, time, and location made social media can help them reach more
communication slow and difficult. people and sometimes even get more
citations
EARLY COMMUNICATION METHODS Misinformation: Wrong or fake science
Signals news can go viral, which makes people
➢ Clay or Stone Tablets doubt real science.
Written Oversimplification: Posts are usually short,
➢ Messages complicated topics can lose details and be
➢ Clay or Stone Tablets misunderstood.
Animals Harassment: Scientists online may
➢ Messenger experience hate or bullying when they share
➢ Horses and Pigeons their work.
Confusion in Trust: It’s harder for people to
THE THREE MODERN INFORMATION tell who’s a real expert and who isn’t, which
REVOLUTIONS (Washington, DC, Office can make science less
of the Assistant Secretary of Defense trustworthy.
(OASD) and the Center for Civil-Military
Relations (CCRP) 1997)
CONTRIBUTION TO TECHNOLOGY
➢ Creates devices like computers,
smartphones, satellites, and the
internet.
➢ Improves software, networks, and
data sharing.
➢ Builds a worldwide digital network
connecting billions of people.
➢ Changes industries with automation,
online shopping, and digital services.
CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY
➢ Saves time and money in messaging.
➢ Makes communication quick and
easy to understand.
➢ Improves business delivery from
producers to
➢ customers.
➢ Boosts the economy.
➢ Enhances government operations
locally and globally.
➢ Strengthens military coordination to
prevent conflicts.
➢ Enables instant global messaging
and connection.