Communication Technologies and Revolution - Essay Example

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND REVOLUTION Introduction There has been a heated debate concerning the new communication technologies. From one side, there is a view that the new communications technologies make revolutions, while others concur that revolutionaries use communications in new ways. However, it is apparent that the increasing availability of technological opportunities has provided hope regarding economic growth in both the developed and the developing countries due to the development of an information society (Bunch and Hellemans, 1993). Information and Communication Technology studies highlight that the use of new communication technologies have led to economic developments, social change and have provided opportunities for the youths to connect to other youths from a round the world through the social networks, something that was never there before (John, 2011). Indeed, many societies across the globe are now integrating these changes making it possible for societies to connect and relate with other societies. On the other hand, revolutionaries are now using communication technologies in new ways (Bunch and Hellemans, 1993). For instance, a mobile phone has been converted to many other functions, such as taking videos, pictures and even accessing the internet, apart from the ordinary communication function. This paper will therefore evaluate the debate, analyzing arguments from both sides. Do new communication technologies make revolutions? The changes in communication technologies have transformed societies significantly. It is postulated that the introduction of new communication technologies has brought the world closer (John, 2011). Indeed, it is argued that the new technologies have given rise to revolutions. For instance, the internet has connected the global world through social networks. It has facilitated the process of globalization. Global societies can now pass information across within a short time. In addition, new communication technologies have enabled the physical movement of work from the high cost labour areas to areas where the labour pools are considered both low cost and of high quality (John, 2011). New communication technologies are also viewed as a means of harmonizing traditional educational approaches. Some computer-assisted ways of education like the virtual library, distance learning, and the imperceptible college network have greatly enhanced the educational methodologies and improved access to scholarly materials throughout the world. In addition, research scientists can access and share information from the databases and laboratories. For instance, telemedicine is now used to solve health related problems across the world. It is also apparent that new technologies have resulted in increased production within organizations. Employees can be sourced from all over the world since the organization can acquire staff from any part of the world through the communication technologies. In addition, communication technologies identify investment opportunities around the world (John, 2011). The mobile phone is the most successful form of new technology that the universe has experienced according to researchers. This is because in the contemporary times people are embracing the mobile telephony technology and it is said that perhaps in the future people will be using the mobile phones almost exclusively. The mobile phones help people to communicate effectively around the globe. Mobile phones have had remarkable contributions to almost all people in all walks of life. Most remarkable is that mobile phones are a first means of communication and as a result it helps in saving time for other developments (Martin, 1999). In addition, this technology is a way out to emergencies. The user is able to communicate when in a fix such as when due to various reasons one will be late to attend a meeting or ones loved ones are able to contact one another in case of a problem that needs urgent attention . In addition it helps those in the business world in their transactions.  Business people are able to promote and market their products especially through the internet. In the discipline of environment, information and technology has significantly contributed to the expansion of people’s capabilities to comprehend as well as manage the ecological and physical processes. These systems include warning systems, disaster preparedness mechanisms, establishment of viable joint projects that would assist in mitigating or stopping the adverse effects which are as a result of national hazards such as desertification, water scarcity and pollution (Oleson,2000) Further, information and technology in the field of culture provides a great opportunity for the consistent promotion as well as the sharing of the non-physical and physical cultural heritages through the television, internet and radio. The computerized programs not only act as entertainment avenues but also avenues for sharing culture through cultural programs (Oleson, 2000). Moreover, the application of information and technology has enabled the introduction of e-commerce. Evidently, e-commerce has greatly enhanced the international trade between various nations. Business people are able to remain in touch with one another as well as with their clients. Moreover, those in business are able to identify possible markets for their produce as well as get the relevant feedback from their customers needed for them to help produce customer specific products and this way they are able to maintain an advantage over its competitors (Greenwood, 1997).   Do revolutionaries use communications technologies in new ways? It is also claimed that revolutionaries use communication technologies in new ways. For instance, during the ancient days, revolutionaries used the new communication technologies to incite people to engage into war activities. These technologies were basically aimed at enabling the process of communication within the societies, but revolutions identified these technologies as avenues they could use to incite people to engage in wars (Derry and Williams, 1993). For example, the American Revolutionary War was basically propelled by the use of pamphlets. The civil war was driven by the telegraph mechanism and in 1990s; the newspapers were used to provoke hatred, anger and war, and was considered a tool for propaganda. Research also documents that the radio played a significant role during the First World War. They were basically used in the battle fields and for overseas communications, and for sending live reports to the people’s homelands. The television was also considered a powerful tool for communication during the Vietnam War (McNeil, 1990). In the contemporary world however, war-zone cameras have taken the place of the television. It is therefore apparent that the communication technologies were turned into avenues that could be used to incite the community into warfare activities. It is also apparent that the revolutionaries have turned the mobile phones into many other uses (Derry and Williams, 1993). In the past phones were only used for communication (Klein, 2008). People used to make a single circuit the whole day by remaining in the open connection to keep the line open just in case it was need.  This however changed with the introduction of mobile phones. Apart form just the ordinary communication function; the contemporary mobile phones can as well be used to access the internet where greater opportunities lie for individuals. Mobile phones can also be used to track cars send and receive money as well as recording videos and taking pictures. Further, they can also help in banking and doing finances updates. Furthermore the mobile phones help people connect with the universe via internet from anywhere (Martin, 1999).  People can also play games, take pictures and listen to music especially when they are bored. It is therefore from the new communication technologies that revolutionaries explore the diverse function such gadgets can be turned to. The internet websites also provided the opportunity for the revolutionaries to invent the social networking sites such as face book, twitter and you tube, where people can communicate and interact with other people from around the world. Conclusion As discussed in the essay, new communication technologies make revolutions. They have contributed to significant changes in various disciplines which include; environment through the expansion of people’s capabilities to comprehend as well as manage the ecological and physical processes, globalization whereby it has allowed for societies to communicate across the globe effectively. In addition it has made it possible for physical movement of work from areas with high cost labor to areas with high quality and low cost labor pools. Further it has improved education. With the introduction of computers and the internet, students are able to access any important information about their education online. The teachers as well are able to communicate to their students through the internet for instance sending notes and assignments. In addition this form of technology has also enabled for students to study through long distance. Moreover in most education institutions, registration, booking of units as well as accommodation is online credits to new technologies. In the Culture has enabled people share and promote their cultures as well as cultural products through advertising on television, internet and radio. New communication technologies have also enabled the introduction of e-commerce. This has eased the lives of the contemporary society in that the transactions have been made so efficient and effective. E-commerce has greatly enhanced the international trade between various nations. Business people are able to remain in touch with one another as well as with their clients. Further through the mobile phones business people are able to do financial updates and business transactions without physical movements. This helps save time for other duties. References John, D, (2011). Technology and Revolution. Available at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380738,00.asp (Accessed on September 4, 2011). Bunch, Bryan and Hellemans, Alexander, (1993). The Timetables of Technology, New York: Simon and Schuster. Derry, Kingston and Williams, I., (1993). A Short History of Technology: From the Earliest Times to A.D. 1900. New York: Dover Publications. McNeil, Ian (1990). An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology. London: Routledge. Greenwood, Jeremy (1997). The Third Industrial Revolution: Technology, Productivity and Income Inequality New York: AEI Press. Martin, C, (1999). Does Communications Revolutions benefit women? Available at http://www.twnside.org.sg/title/1968.htm. (Accessed on September 4, 2011) Klein M., (2008). The Technological Revolution, available from http://www.fpri.org/footnotes/1318.200807.klein.techrevolution.html (Accessed September 5, 2011). Oleson, J. P., (2000). Technology and Change in History. London: Leiden. Read More