Human society has often been characterized by epic shifts in how we approach and utilize our thoughts and environment. Often titled by broad categories, they signify both the cause and effect of these changes. For instance, “Age of Enlightenment” or “Age of Reason”, is used to define an historic period, especially 18th century Western Europe, when religious, social and philosophical matters were exposed to critical thinking of what is “right” and what is “wrong.” Secular and faith-based institutions began to develop systematic rationale for philosophical approaches to life. In such a time – past or present – dictates of tradition and dogma are exposed to discussion, interpretation and rebuttal.
The “Industrial Revolution” of the late 1700s and early 1800s was a transition from ubiquitous hand labor to machines and manufacturing processes. Affecting almost every aspect of daily life, the effect on businesses and consumers caused a massive economic shift in society. Although some industrial employment was negatively affected, it adjusted to not only absorb the existing workforce, but expanded exponentially, providing new opportunities for the working class. Although work conditions were in many cases abysmal, union power rose from the plight of those subjected to abuse.
More recently and directly affecting current generations, the “Information Age” aka “Computer Age”, “Digital Age” or “New Media Age” has revolutionized the manner and character of information received by the vast majority of inhabitants on our planet. Expansion of library capacity was calculated in 1945 to double every 16 years. With the advent of personal computers and technological advancement, Moore’s law (1965) addressed the computing power of transistors to double every two years. Now superseded by the rapid escalation of computing and delivery capacity, information storage and exchange has expanded exponentially with a rapidity unmatched by any previous period of human history.
The challenge of this rapid growth and flow of information is how to manage it. While earlier societal changes changed materials and conservation of energy through labor-saving devices, the current movement is immediate, global and less sensitive to capital investment. Use of internet connections through blogs and social media outlets is relatively inexpensive and easy. As a consequence, all information, without regard to reason, reliability or fact has not only a seat at the table, but in some cases, sits at the head of it.
The challenge is how to preserve the freedom to receive the flood of information flowing through the taps of our computers, phones and devices and make sense of it. An old adage heard by many children and adolescents from mothers and fathers for generations… “If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?” still applies. And the affirmative (and combative) answer is often the same as well.
In some cases, jumping from the cliff may be a vital necessity or simply a minor impediment and well worth the risk. However, in others, a practical assessment is in order. While information is the key ingredient to make a proper judgement, its source and context that may alter the response. In this world of competing and conflicting media outlets with few mandated controls, it is a wise move to look before you leap off the cliff.
Media literacy is critical skill for everyone in these days of unrestrained access and dissemination of information. Critical analysis to determine the accuracy, credibility and bias is essential to separate increasingly distorted material available through media outlets. It is incumbent on each of us to not only guard our own integrity through vigilance, but encourage other sources of influence – schools, clubs, organizations – to support media literacy as well.
“Information is not knowledge”
-Albert Einstein
