The Digital Society
The digital society
Since 2012 I have focused on the digital society and its effect on school systems, the role of individuals, and the influence of artificial intelligence. My latest book is Knowledge Capital in the Digital Society. ( See Review in Insight Magazine.).
See also:
Data privacy
From 1980 to 1984, I was among the leading privacy advocates in the US, and in 1983 I was asked to testify in Congress. During this time, I gave over one-hundred presentations to health administrators, clinicians, and privacy professionals, often at odds with patients who saw advantages to their information being shared, I understood how critical data protection methods are and became a critical contributor to its setup. I believe a new approach to data protection and privacy is still needed.
Information society
I first became involved in designing and installing information storage and retrieval systems in 1964, when the embryonic information society gathered speed with paper-based and mechanical information storage and retrieval systems. Starting with the design of a flow diagram for all forms in a 200-bed hospital, I soon became involved in installing national systems for churches, governments, insurance industries, manufacturing, banking and others, each involving millions of file folders and cards. At a private dinner in the 1980s, I met Konrad Zuse, one of the key inventors of computer systems,. He recognized the importance of digital information systems and AI.
Key Points
Information is the key element for life on the planet.
Information (correct, false, or misleading) governs all decisions, not just by humans but also by all living beings on this planet, leading to survival or death for animals and plants, to actions and wars for humans.
Much of the information we receive is distorted to varying degrees. Lies rule the world. The internet exposes the range of alternative perceptions and ideologies and offers people the option to choose according to their belief system. More symmetry is needed among governmental, organizational, and corporate communications. The need to research sources and the validity of information will become increasingly important in the future.
A new system of data protection is needed.
The introduction of belief in supernatural forces (gods) enabled the creation of communities and led to culture. Without religion, culture and civilizations could not have developed. Yet in an enlightened world, religion is just one of the many belief systems..
Ideologies have a life similar to that of biological life.
Ideologies and other forms of information are like viruses, searching for carriers to spread their message.
Ideologies also seek ways to expand and defend themselves.
Personal ideologies lead us to embrace information that fits our belief system and to reject what does not fit.
Human life has four historical stages.
Development of early human intelligence and tools.
Dominance on the planet, through agriculture that enabled cities and culture.
The industrial age.
The emerging smart era, which demands new ways of information management through artificial intelligence, evolving work forms, and social behavior.