Rola komputeryzacji w rozwoju cywilizacji.

The development of printing was almost as important as the development of the alphabet itself. Suddenly it was possible to spread information and ideas much more cheaply and quickly than before. It was the beginning of an explosion of information that has completely changed the face of the world. The figures speak for themselves. In 1500 only about 100 new books were produced in Europe each year. By 1950, 12 000 were produced each year. By 1965 it was 160 000. Today the world produces a thousand new books every 24 hours.

This extraordinary flood of printed words is bringing serious problems. Already scientists, doctor and politicians find it very difficult to keep up with all new facts and ideas they should know. Students may soon find that much what they have learned in some subjects is out of date by the time they leave school and university. What can we do about this?

Here are some of the changes that scientists think could happen during our lives.

Every house will have its own computer linked to a central information bank. If you want to know anything, you ask the computer in seconds. We’ll all have mini-computers and use them as extra memories. Computers will become very important in schools, too. Students will spend much less time learning facts, and much more time learning where to find them. We’ll have giant TV screens the size of a wall and we’ll buy records and tapes which play pictures as well as sounds. When we can put on a record of our favourite film, TV show or football match and watch it life size on the living room wall, will we still want to read books?