The information superhighway: the golden spike of the 21st century. (25th February 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chong, P. Pete; DeVries, Peter D.; Van DenHoek, Anne
• Is Part Of: International journal of innovation and learning. Volume 2:Number 3(2005)
• Page Start: 223
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2005-02-25
• Subjects: information superhighway -- internet -- railroad -- historical analogy -- innovation -- learning -- railways -- internet -- world wide web -- networking; Knowledge management -- Periodicals; Learning -- Periodicals; Diffusion of innovations -- Periodicals; 006.33
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-8197

Abstract

The railroad played an important part in our history. It weakened aristocracy, changed geography and populations of cities, and led to an organised stock market. The modern world took shape in a shockingly short time: stock markets were formalised, time zones were created, trade multiplied and cities expanded. Railroads caused a sudden and marvellous change in perceptions of time and space. What was quick was now slow; what was distant was now near. Does this sound familiar? There are many striking similarities between the effects of the information superhighway and the effects of the railway system when it was implemented in the nineteenth century. This article investigates how the "new" system parallels the "old" - is the information superhighway a high tech "railroad"?