The liberating power of the internet
Television was part of the communications revolution in the last century
We live in an age of rapid technological change: children today are growing up in a digital world that is very different even to that of ten years ago. Such changes always bring uncertainty, but I believe that in the twenty-first century, we have the chance to see the lot of humankind improved dramatically: for example, by bio-technology and e-communications.
The past century also had its fair share of communications revolutions. At the coronation in 1953, the market for television sets 'took off' because we all wanted to stand on our own orange box and 'see' that spectacle. That event powerfully illustrated how television is by a desire for entertainment more than information.
Entertainment is a powerful impetus - but not as powerful as that given by inter-communication. What excites me about the internet is that it provides all of us with the possibility of sharing and discussing facts which have not (or not all) been dressed up or doctored by those interested in governing (serving?) us. It is this libertarian aspect which will fuel internet growth on a global basis and have, I think, a more profound effect on our lives than television.
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