#7Technology

Changes in communication technology, especially with computers, the internet and email, are swiftly impacting on many areas of our lives. For those who have access to these technologies, information in ever increasing quantities from all over the world is now available at the press of a button. Businesses can provide up-to-the-minute information about their products, and gauge consumer response via email. I asked for a pamphlet on watering systems in a shop recently, and was told to view the website. Contacting large numbers of group members by email is a massive boost to fundraising and social groups. The ability for anyone to publish their thoughts for all the world to see certainly makes "free speech" a reality. How to manage this information overload will become a problem in the near future.