Book Review/Analysis - The Death of Distance

THE DEATH OF DISTANCE
How the Communications Revolution Will Change Our Lives


by Frances Cairncross
of the Ecnomist

Reviewed by Colleen Abt

I would define this book as entertaining and informative covering a variety of issues that is perfect for any business student and/or anyone interested the telecommunications field. It is an IDEAS book on how the Internet connects people to information, services, entertainment and how new technology is changing and distance is no longer a relevant factor in our lives.


Chapter 1 THE

3 communications fast –changing game changers

• Telephone - Invented in 1876


• Television – First transmission 1926


• Computer – Invented in 1940’s

Revolutionizing transformations for each since late 1980’s

The Telephone experienced astonishing increase in long-distance carrying capacity and development of mobility.

o Glass fibers (fiber-optic) carry digital signals could carry 3 million conversations
o Drastic fall in cost of computing power allow inexpensive long distance calling
· Mobile phones-one of the most important devices for communicating

o Can't live without a cell phone? (could literally save a life)
§ Mt. Everest-2 lost climbers reunite
§ September 11th – people found in rubble



Television revolutionized by transmitting in digital not analogue

o Result – compressed signals allowing far more channels to be transmitted via satellite, cable and over air
o TV united a nation with broadcast of JFK’s funeral



Networked Computer fastest evolving revolutions

§ Dramatic growth in computer power


Moore' Law - Named after Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, the world’s leading computer chip manufacturer describes a long-term trend in the history of computing hardware.

States computing power would double approximately every 2 years and become less expensive to produce

• Holds true for last 3 decades (see link below)


• Increased connectivity
  
  http://allthingsd.com/20110504/moores-law-is-alive-and-well-and-intel-will-prove-it-today/
  
  Chapter 4 THE INTERNET
  
  

The Internet is a Product of academic research and public funding (unlike other technologies not capital venture)

o Initially funded and used in 1960’s by the military (Dept of Defense)
o Designed by Paul Baran of Rand Corp. to withstand nuclear attack
Entered public sector in 1990’s

Available for anybody – no fees, licensing or permissions needed !!
o Nobody owns, maintains or regulates the Internet
o Used for entertainment, research, e-commerce, electronic mail and much more
Internet enables global business

Chapter 9 SOCIETY, CULTURE AND THE INDIVIDUAL

Factors like cost, convenience and culture will determine how technology will evolve

Societal effects
o New communities built in cyberspace changing the ways people socialize
o Make communication and access of information convenient for the masses

New communities (interest based) Email, Facebook, Twitter, Groupon
o Easier to bully and commit crimes



























































Cultural effects
o Narrow the gaps between rich and poor
o Infrastructure of cities will be different since more people work from home

Individual effects
o Individuals are skeptical of change but change is necessary for progress
o More people can work and be educated from home
o New jobs in computer fields including security

Reflection and Analysis
The Death of Distance discusses TRENDS based upon the belief that as countries become more intertwined with global economy the FREEDOM TO COMMUNICATE WILL PROMOTE PEACE. We have seen examples that this can become reality with the relatively peaceful recent revolution in Egypt. Facebook was the tool that was used to allow people to freely speak and organize the revolution. The globalization of communications makes our lives so much easier because it erases the geographic, language and other barriers that limited us from interacting with the world. Now we can think globally and act globally, literally. But remember, nothing is really free. Individuals should pay for these new freedoms by taking responsibility for their own lives and concentrate on being active members of society, working toward the COMMON GOOD.


As the technological revolution continues, shortcomings and negative impacts become more noticeable and limiting. One shortcoming is tracking capability. In emergencies it can be good but who knows what Big Brother is tracking through our electronic devices. Companies are also tracking our habits, our privacy is becoming harder to protect. Perhaps the most negative impact is that criminals can use these technologies to victimize innocent people. However, on the other hand, law enforcement can use the same technology against criminals to convict them. The Internet is like an unstoppable force that is a powerful tool allowing people from different countries and cultures to communicate learn and share. I agree with Caircross that these communications technologies benefits will far outweigh the negatives. Knowledge is power and the Internet enables people from all walks of life to obtain knowledge.

Read more about how technology is changing the world - Facebook/Egypt (click link below.)

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/02/21/egypt.internet.revolution/index.html

Questions to Consider

1) Considering the impact the Internet has recently had on government like its role in the successful overthrow of a dictator in Egypt- How will the death of distance continue to shape our society in the future in regards to politics?

2) Globalization of communications makes it harder to enforce laws. How can the Internet be regulated to protect world citizens against terrorism, child pornography, libel, taxation and other crimes that are easier to commit because of Internet?

3) Recently, Watson, supercomputer appeared the game show, Jeopardy. Do you think a computer will ever be a match for the human brain?

THANK YOU for taking the time to read my review and interpretation of The Death of Distance.