Monday, September 3, 2007

Outline of the Chapter 1 :Following the Historical Paths of Global Communication

A. Geographical Space: A Barrier to Communication
a. The myth of the concept of physical space.
i. “Geography of space” vs. “geography of experience”
What was once the “geography of space” has become nowadays “geography of experience”;the revolution in mass media has provided the opportunity for people to exchange ideas, discover other civilizations, etc.
ii. Role of communication technologies in transforming human interactions
Technologies are cultural metaphors for prevailing social and cultural conditions”.
b. Conditions for communication over far distances in early cultures.
i. Ancient world was full of mythical images.
The ancient world was full of spirits, animism, etc
ii. The importance of the “age of discovery”
Explorers started discovering the unknown world.
c. Communication strategies used to improve welfare and trade.
i. The raise of innovations such as; the movable metal type and the magnetic compass needle.
ii. Scientific experiments opened the door for social improvement.
B. Geography and the Mythical World
a. Mythical believes in the worldview of ancient cultures.
i. The word mantic in the Greek culture
Mantic: ideas, mythical and supernatural, coming from people from somewhere beyond the immediate world.
ii. The presence of images in old cultures.
b. Geographic myths according to ancient civilizations.
i. The believes in fiction characters that were fought.
ii. The fear from foreign lands and unknown places.
c. Travel myths based on the perception of ancient cultures.
i. Prester John’s tales were repeated in music and poetry throughout Europe.
ii. Prester was seen as a ruler of a land inhabited by men with horns, along with giant creatures.
C. Ancient Encounters of Societies and Cultures
The physical world seen by ancient cultures.
The role of Alexander the Great in stretching the geographical boundaries of the European worldview
The repair of the library of Alexandria.
D. Global Explorers:
Migrants, Holy People, MerchantsMigration in ancient pre-agrarian societies in Europe.
The movement from a nomadic life to a stable one thanks to the improvement of farming techniques.
The European desire to explore the worldE.
Mapmakers in the Medieval WorldMaps as a valuable key to discover the unknown world.
i. Maps were considered as state secrete.
ii. The information on the maps reflected the mapmaker’s background.Maps served many purposes in ancient times.
i. The use of maps in maritime navigation and religious pilgrimages.
ii. The use of maps in military and administrative stuff.
Maps as an intellectual tool of the most educated in ancient Greece and Rome.
i. Travelers and military leaders used maps.
ii. Maps were used among the Greeks as objects for meditation.
Nowadays, google earth used by political activists,terrorists,etc Similarities between the past & the presence regarding the use of maps.
F. Inventors:
Signals and SemaphoresInformation technologies as solutions to immediate problems.
The visual signal system (heliograph) adopted in by Roman rulers.Reliability and speed of delivery through the medieval postal systems were good.
G. The Printing Press, Literacy, and the Knowledge explosion
Clerics as literate people engaged in writing.
i. Drafting legal documents
ii. Drafting letters for official dispatches.
The circulation of religious and diplomatic correspondence as an ancient practice.
i. Change in literature, philosophy and law.
ii. Easy access to printed pressThe appearance of printing presses.
i. People are encouraged to read
ii. The reformation of European institutions.
H. Scientists and International Networks
Technology innovation in travel and the essential role of international science.
The first standardization of a code of science.
The adoption of a global time system.
I. The International Electric Revolution
Steam power increased the speed of travel
The introduction of telegraph
The innovation of telephone as a communication tool.

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