Blown+to+Bits+Chap.+1+Reflections

**Chapter One** **Digital Explosion** Information about each one of us is stored in computers all over the world. The information is stored in “bits”. These bits are steering the events of our lives. The author stated that this digital explosion can be compared to the invention of the printing press. The printing press made books available to all people and created people’s need to learn. The digital explosion has changed the world.
 * Blown to Bits**

The author shares seven truths about bits and refers to them as “koans” because they are paradoxes. One discusses the perfection of computers and being able to make perfect copies. He uses the example of dubbing the cassette. We all did it and the more we dubbed a song the worse the song sounded. But we didn’t care; we were just happy to have the song. Now when thing are copied, the copies are perfect and not of lesser quality. I had never thought of it in that sense before. This seems it would increase plagiarism, but according to Tapscott, that hasn’t been the case. Songs continue to be downloaded by record numbers using digital tools. Information is growing exponentially as is the worldwide data storage. The new inventions are available more quickly because of the processing power. An example is the voice recognition software. I “invented” this in college because I knew it would be quicker to “tell” the computer what I wanted it to type rather than actually type the information in word by word. Had I had the Internet of today at my fingertips like this generation, maybe I would have created the software to make this “invention” a reality. Of course, today there are software programs that allow you to “tell” verbally the information you want the computer to enter.

It was interesting to read that in order to keep our information private we should not enroll in loyalty cards so we are paying extra to keep our buying habits private. The information stored about one person is not quickly or easily deleted. Numerous data storage systems contain the information about each person and can track a person down quickly if needed.

I take some comfort in knowing there is a computer somewhere analyzing the social patterns of American citizens. I consider this a protection against what could become another terrorist attack. Other people consider this an invasion of privacy.

We know that technology is going to bring about social change, and I believe it will be a positive experience.