The Information Age. That is what writers and analysts have labeled the concluding years of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century.
Throughout the time-line of history every great era has been given a name to identify the major achievement or advance in progress that marks that time period.
Some that come to mind are the Ice Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, the Industrial Age and now the Information Age.
I don’t know if the people of the time knew what age they were in or did future historians name it for them? Nevertheless, a great advance in the progress of man was achieved.
Thanks to the Ice Age we can grab a cold beer anytime we wish. Wasn’t ice invented during the Ice Age?
We the people of the Information Age know it’s the Information Age. We don’t have to wait for future historians to give it a name.
Why? Because with all the information available to us and all the leisure time we have to reflect on it, we know what to call it. Back in the other ages, they were so busy progressing that they didn’t have time to think about what they were called.
The micro-chip and the computer have revolutionized the way information is disseminated. Arguably we could make a case that the computer and not fire or the wheel has been responsible for the greatest advancement for mankind.
Not too many years ago the library, whether it was the town library, the university library or the Library of Congress, was the place where we got our information.
With a library card, you were able to tap into the world of knowledge. Now we have the world’s knowledge virtually at our finger tips.
Now all we need to access the world of information is a keyboard, a mouse, a computer and an Internet connection. We can do it at anytime and from anywhere.
We have really come a long way in a relatively short span of time in the overall time-line of history.
Everyone knows the saying: “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. Well what about a lot of knowledge? Is that catastrophic?
I don’t think so.
The proof is that we live longer and better. Our children are brighter earlier. As a result, the world is a much smaller place. We are no longer an unrelated society of strangers; but a global society of real people.
By virtue of information and communication, we know what is going on anywhere in the world, instantly.
Information and communication have impacted every aspect of our lives.
We now fight our wars on prime time TV. We know what is happening as it happens.
We no longer separate work and home. Now we can work at home and be as productive.
We no longer have to check our messages. Now we take our telephone everywhere we go. Always in-touch and never out of reach.
There is a downside to the Information Age, if you choose to make it a downside. There is so much information available and it is easily accessible to so many people. Therefore, the competition for our very existence is much keener.
You will have to stay on top of your game or you will be left behind. No longer can you coast and wait for things to happen. You have to learn all the can and make things happen.
When all is said and done, because of today’s technology and the fact that it is available to virtually everyone you have to be the master of your own destiny. There are more opportunities available than ever before. But you have to be willing and able to take advantage of them.
Don’t be left behind. Make the Information Age work for you. Go out and grab your share of the future.
About the Author —- Jim Capobianco, the author of “10 Steps to Your Own Home-Based Business”, has been self-employed for over 30 years, both on and off line. At his web site and in his newsletter, he shares his experience and expertise when it comes to owning your own business. Come pay a visit at: http://www.cap-tech.com