The Information Revolution and Ireland : Prospects and Challenges

Lee Komito explores the implications of information and communications technologies for social and cultural change, placing contemporary technologies in an historical context and discussing global social and cultural change.

This book focuses on issues arising from the technological revolution that we are all experiencing. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or definitive discussion of the digital revolution or the Information Society, nor does it proclaim or denounce the new Information Society. However, whether there is a new economic, political and social order emerging or not, and whether the new order is beneficial or detrimental to citizens, all agree that significant changes are taking place. Often it seems as though we are all bystanders, watching change take place but having very little participation in the process. The central issue in this book is that technology, including the new information and communications technology linked with the Information Society, is not a force external to society and beyond the control of society; it is an integral part of society. Komito does not try to predict the future; his aim is to encourage individuals to contribute to policy choices so that the society that emerges is one that citizens desire rather than one that is not of their making or choosing. He encourages discussion and thought rather than proclaiming conclusions. By using Irish examples the book will be of especial value on Information Studies courses for Irish students but by dealing with global issues in a highly readable way, this book will be applicable to courses elsewhere.