The Evolution of Communication Technology

The transformations brought about by smartphones in the last 15 years mirror the revolutionary effects of the printing press nearly 600 years prior.

In 1439, Johannes Gutenberg introduced the printing press, and in 2007, the first iPhone made its debut. Both innovations significantly altered the power dynamics of their eras, and smartphones are only beginning to unveil their full potential.

Printing presses enabled a wider distribution of printed materials, which in turn fostered greater literacy. With increased access to information and education, the general populace could engage more freely with ideas and narratives that once remained confined to the elite.

Can you see the similarities yet?

Prior to the invention of the printing press, manuscripts were laboriously copied by hand, primarily by monks. The Catholic Church wielded immense influence in Western society, leading to widespread illiteracy among those outside the clergy. Consequently, the majority could not read the Bible or other texts, relying solely on what they were told—there was no "googling" information available.

For centuries, people largely accepted the narratives presented to them by those in authority. Although the grip of power was not as absolute as during the age of mass illiteracy, skepticism was still limited.

Fast forward to about 15 years ago, when individuals began carrying video cameras with them everywhere. This shift has resulted in profound changes, particularly visible in the realm of racial justice.

Many white individuals, myself included, previously had no reason to question police claims regarding shootings of Black individuals, believing the official narratives without doubt. However, the advent of video recording changed this perception dramatically, revealing truths that contradicted the accounts provided by law enforcement.

This awakening was no surprise to many in the Black community, but it was a revelation to countless others, including myself. The availability of video evidence has made society more receptive to discussions about racial injustice than it might have been otherwise.

As a former print journalist for three decades, I can confidently say that if I were still in the industry today, my newsroom would have adapted its approach to covering police-related news.

Smartphones have empowered people not just to document events, but also to share their recordings widely. We can now witness police actions that would have previously required physical presence, as well as a multitude of other events like political speeches, public misdeeds, and even natural disasters.

While traditional media outlets have their limitations—such as a finite number of reporters—ordinary citizens equipped with smartphones are omnipresent. In 2022, "YouTubers uploaded around 720,000 hours of new video content each day," according to Earthweb.

Things have undeniably changed.

Imagine how differently the events of September 11, 2001, would have been reported had everyone possessed a smartphone. The immediacy of video footage from soldiers in conflict zones is now a reality.

While much of the video content is trivial and some is even hazardous propaganda, a significant portion is invaluable. In essence, we now have billions of informal reporters contributing to the narrative.

Though these citizen journalists may lack formal training and could possess personal biases, the sheer volume of video evidence has catalyzed societal shifts in ways we are still trying to comprehend.

The ability to read and write transformed the world, and the capability to record and share video is doing so once again.

As someone who has a passion for reading and writing, I find great value in articulating my thoughts to the world, despite no longer operating within a newsroom. I have a preference for the written word and don't typically engage with videos.

Yet, it would be foolish to overlook the significant influence that the democratization of video is currently exerting on society.

About Michelle Teheux

I am a copywriter, proofreader, and editor based in central Illinois. Connect with me on Twitter or LinkedIn.

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The first video titled "Life Before iPhone - First there was Simon" delves into the evolution of mobile technology, highlighting the precursors to the smartphone era and how they set the stage for the revolutionary changes we experience today.

The second video, "The Smartphone Era Is Over | PAINFULLY HONEST TECH," provides an insightful critique of current trends in smartphone technology and its implications for society.