The Internet vs. the Printing Press: A Clash of Great Inventions

Some argue that the invention of the internet is just as impactful as the invention of the printing press, a milestone reached over 500 years ago. However, I find it hard to agree, especially when considering the multitude of crucial strides we've made together from the 1400s until now. Is the internet really a larger, more transformative invention? Let's explore.

Steps Towards Modern Technology

To illustrate why the printing press may be greater, consider the thousands of inventions and discoveries that led us to the 2020s. From the invention of the printing press in 1440 to spreading literacy, discovering electric power, and creating electronic communication, each step built upon the last. The internet, while remarkable, is only one 'thing' that extends across the globe, and a personal printer that doesn't connect to the internet can still serve as a private printing press. Furthermore, the physical size of the internet is debatable, as a printer fits in a closet.

The Impact of the Printing Press

The printing press has had a long-lasting and profound impact on human civilization, especially in terms of literacy. From the early 15th century up to the year 2000, the printing press was the primary tool for disseminating information and knowledge. It enabled widespread literacy and paved the way for the emergence of mass communication. Since the 17th century, almost all education in the West depends on literacy, directly influenced by the printing press.

The Importance of Literacy

Without literacy, the concept of the internet would be vastly different. People would not be able to read, perform basic arithmetic, or even understand concepts like 'fonts' or 'letter types'. The way we interact with the internet is fundamentally based on the methods of organizing and indexing information as established by the printing press.

HTML and the Printing Press

HTML, the language of the web, organizes and arranges words and pictures on a page similarly to how the printing press does. Hyperlinking, indexing, and footnoting methods developed for print have been adapted for web content. However, there are still aspects of the internet that resemble the printing press, such as the use of Flash animations, which have come and gone. The addition of video is merely an extension of placing pictures on a page.

Google primarily indexes content in a manner similar to a traditional index in a printed book. However, we are just beginning to reach the point where Google can index pictures based on their content, rather than their tags alone. Imagine an internet without these printing press-derived features. Such an internet would be vastly different, with only a handful of people able to read and engage in basic arithmetic, and no understanding of modern concepts like 'fonts' or 'letter types'. Not to mention, the scale and scope of literacy and education would be severely limited.

The Internet: A Leap Forward

The internet is undoubtedly a significant advancement, but it is built upon the foundation of the printing press. It represents a leap forward in information dissemination, but not a replacement or a 'bigger' improvement. The printing press was a world-changing technology, and it remains so, even as we continue to navigate the digital age.

Conclusion

In the grand scheme of human technological and cultural development, the printing press is a pivotal invention that has profoundly impacted literacy and education, shaping the way we interact with information today. The internet, while revolutionary, is a continuation and expansion of that legacy, not a standalone replacement. Both the printing press and the internet are indispensable tools that have transformed the course of human history in unique and profound ways.