Information Society - Essay Example

Introduction Today’s society is frequently labeled the Information Society due to the increase of information workers and the ease in which information is shared. As society has moved away from an Industrial Society, businesses increasingly focus on the organization and categorization of information, as a means of producing a final product or service to be offered at a price. This change has also altered the way in which members of society perceive themselves, choose careers and interact with each other. Workers in the information society are often called information or knowledge workers, though much debate exists regarding just which workers fall under this category. Frank Webster (2002, p. 8-9) categorizes the five approaches as “technological, economic, occupational, spatial, and social.” These approaches are thought to be the most important in explaining how the information society has shaped, since the decline of industry in the 1970’s Theoretical Approaches Technological Technology is often thought of in terms of tools, devices or products that are created to make conducting business and going about everyday life easier, faster or otherwise better. The introduction of computers has had a huge impact. They not only allow us to communicate with each other remotely, share information and socialize. They also diagnose vehicular failure and call for assistance, diagnose disease, measure particles in the air and help design the most efficient and cost effective infrastructure. Webster (2002, p. 10) describes the introduction of technology to society in somewhat harsh terms as “a new order…being forced upon an unsuspecting world.” He refers to the telecommunications industry, which allows us the connect our computers to the internet and converse with wireless phones. From the other side of the argument, it can be said that those who have introduced technology have simply responded to unmet needs of society. It is unlikely that Steve Jobs or Bill Gates will think of promoting their products in terms of forcing them. Technology is often described in terms of innovators and adopters. Innovators are those whose ideas of what technology can be actually follow through on their visions. Adopters are those who use and embrace the results of those visions. Often it is the comments, needs and interest that push or inspire the innovators. According the McKay (2001, p. 68), “the desire to be modern is nothing new-the discourse of progress has been with us for a long time.” What McKay implies is that society has expectations of change and new technological advances. Economic Economics are a serious consideration in the information age. Many technologies that allow society to communicate and share information come with a hefty price tag. Others are available in a broad range of models, price, and features. Cellular devices, computers, cars and digital audio/video devices are just a few examples. Many of these devices are affordable to the less affluent, though the poorest citizens may still face challenges in obtaining them. “Information has always been a valuable asset to those who possess it” (Brandscomb, 1994). As the information society increasingly relies on technologies and devises to transfer information, theses modes of acquiring information increasingly become the standard for sharing information, it puts those without access to the devices and technologies at a disadvantage in two ways. First, technology and the sharing and discovery of theory and concept are increasingly presented in a digital format via computer networks. Those who are able to utilize these methods of information, through research, investigation, and study possess an advantage in that they can attain knowledge and information more quickly than those who cannot. Second, those who possess the knowledge and tools to organize and process information are able to profit from it, while those who are not able to possess the knowledge and tools are automatically placed at an economic disadvantage. Not only are the unable to acquire the knowledge and skills, they are unable to utilize it. While many in the information society are able to make a living and profit from the introduction of technologies and tools, there are those who are unable. Occupational Approach As industrial or manual jobs are replaced by white collar and service jobs, information becomes the raw material which is required to produce the output. “In western Europe, Japan, and North America, over 70% of the workforce is now found in the service sector of society, and white collar jobs are now the majority.” (Webster, 2002, p.14). This statistic suggests that much of the global workforce has been retrained, has acquired skills through education, or will likely receive training or education in how to manage data and process it as information. Additionally, IDC (2007) reports a total of “35.2 billion IT jobs globally,” in 2007. Statistics indicate a growing need for education and training efforts to focus on managing information. The results of labor can be viewed as the organization and application of information into sensible, meaningful products or outputs that are generated are used to generate revenue. Daniel Bell (1973), said to be one of the most influential post-industrial theorists, supports the assertion that workers in the information society are the most valuable tool. Without the ability off information workers to make sense, the information and technology itself are meaningless. Spatial Spatial theory focuses on accessibility and the ability to participate in the functions that are important in society. Information, or the work involving information then relies on the ability to access the tools necessary to support such work. Education is an important part of gaining knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the information society’s workforce. “Since the 1990’s, the inequality regarding the living conditions in different geographical areas have increased. This has spatial relevance since it partly has to do with accessibility to important functions in society, such as education, labor market and service” (Legby, 2008, p. 12). Those who live in close proximity to educational institutions and information jobs then are at an advantage in securing and maintaining employment. Even when geographic location is not a challenge in accessing work in the information society, those institutions which are relied upon to provide training and knowledge may do a poor jobs. “A recent study by the Center for Public Resources indicates there is a serious gap between the skills that high school graduates bring to a job and the skills that employers need, but the schools, however, don’t seem to recognize them” (Groff, 1983, p. 5). Groff’s statement is likely to be applicable today in many school districts. Funding relies on property tax and those schools in poorer districts may not have funding for tools of the information society. Cultural Cultural norms are shaped by the information society to the extent that knowing what others think or feel, and how they behave is made easier and faster. The devices and technology that allow members of society to communicate with each other over a broader distance and through a wider variety of medium may have greater influence. However, those various forms of media that allow for this also permit the information society to use creativity and imagination to create additional uses. YouTube and MySpace are some examples. Before these social networking sites came along, personal information was considered just that, personal and only to be shared with the closest of friends. “For establishing and alternative to global information capitalism, self-organizing political projects are needed that have alternative goals, practices and structures, in order to transcend these very structures and create a new global space” (Fuchs, 2008). Mostly young adults and teens have taken technology, such as video and internet, and created a socially place acceptable to share philosophies, political views, successes, failures, losses and grief. Fuchs describes information society and culture as a circle, both shaping and affecting each other. The information society shapes culture, in terms of what is acceptable, while also setting limits. For instance, Job Seekers are cautioned as to what content should be posted on social networking sites, as employers may consider them unfavorably. Culture affects the information society, by sharing new thoughts, ideas and uses and presenting what is possible in the future. Though distinct and separate approaches or theories, the five influences of the information society presented by Webster can be linked and affect each other. Technology affects culture. Culture affects technology in how it can be utilized. The two most critical influences, spatial and economic, present the greatest challenge in providing opportunity for participation in the information society. Participation is becoming increasingly important, as statistics indicate, for economic stability and a sense of belonging. References Branscom, A. (1994). The Economics of information. Keynote Address, 1994 ASIS annual Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia. Bell, D. (1973) [in Duff, A. (1998). Daniel Bell’s theory of information society. Journal of Information Science. 24,6. IDC (2007). Global spending on information technology will create 7.1m new jobs and 100,000 new businesses over the next 4 years; Study finds 14.7m jobs created by Microsoft and its Ecosystem. Retrieved November 12, 2009 from http://www.finfacts.com/irelandbusinessnews/publish/article_1011557.shtml. Fuchs, C. (2008). Internet and Society: Social theory in the information age. Series 8. New York: Routledge. Groff, W. (1983). The Economic and social impacts of the transition from the industrial society to a computer literate, high technology, information society. Colliquium, “Impact of the increasing service/manufacturing industries ratio.” Legby, A. (2008). What knowledge can a spatial approach add to the understanding of segregation. Conference Architectural Inquiries. Retrieved November 12, 2009 from http://tintin.arch.chalmers.se/aktuellt/PDFs/Legeby_What%20knowledge%20can%20a%20spatial%20approach%20add.pdf McKay, H. (2001). Investigating the information society. London: Routledge. Webster, F. (2002). Theories of the information society. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge. Read More