By any measure, society—US society in particular—is now in some phase of what is being called the information revolution. This “third wave,” a term introduced by Alvin Toffler, follows the industrial revolution of the 18th century and the agricultural revolution of 10 000 years ago, and is resulting in phenomenal social, cultural and economic transformations. It is changing the ways in which people spend their time at work and at play, and the ways in which they live their lives in general. Inevitably, it will lead to major geopolitical upheavals. This revolution, as were the two previous ones, is technology based, with the seeds being planted over a long period.

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