The first ‘networked era’ followed the introduction of the…
““The first ‘networked era’ followed the introduction of the printing press to Europe in the late fifteenth century and lasted until the end of the eighteenth century. The second –our own time –dates from the 1970s, though I argue that the technological revolution we associate with Silicon Valley was more a consequence than a cause of a crisis of hierarchical institutions. The intervening period, from the late 1790s until the late 1960s, saw the opposite trend: hierarchical institutions re-established their control and successfully shut down or co-opted networks. The zenith of hierarchically organized power was in fact the mid-twentieth century –the era of totalitarian regimes and total war.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
History shows two major networked eras: the printing press era and the modern digital era, with a middle period dominated by hierarchical powers that suppressed networks.
In simple terms: Two big network periods: printing press and digital age; middle era saw hierarchies dominate.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how power structures shape technology adoption.
Themes
history
technology
power
society
politics
Mood
analytical
critical
historical
Type
academic
historical
analysis
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy making
- media analysis
- education
- strategic planning
Key Concepts
Network theory
hierarchy
institutional change
information diffusion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do hierarchies both enable and restrict innovation?
- What modern parallels exist to past network suppression?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex causes, ignoring regional variations.