Is what's past, Prologue?

Issue title: NFAIS Miles Conrad Memorial Lectures

Subtitle: 2003 Miles Conrad Memorial Lecture, February 25, 2003

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Molholm, Kurt N.

Affiliations: Administrator, Defense Technical Information Center, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Suite 1961, Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6218, USA

Abstract: A written language and a transportable recording medium were key elements in the advancement of humankind. Five thousand years ago the Sumerians, using their cuneiform system of writing, recorded business transactions as well as epic poetry on clay tablets. For the thousand of years that have followed we have improved upon our methods of communication with others and upon how we prepare, organize, store, and share our collective knowledge. Now the Internet and the World Wide Web application operating together are causing a fundamental change in the way we have done things for millennia. We are engulfed by this new environment that is, from an historical perspective, merely in its infancy. This paper presents twelve premises regarding the digital environment that are not only reminders of major changes that are occurring, but that also serve as “bumper stickers” for others to consider as they examine this new environment.

DOI: 10.3233/ISU-2004-24102

Journal: Information Services & Use, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 5-18, 2004