Pearl Sriorathaikul 10D Industrial Revolution vs.

Digital Revolution The world has experienced significant changes caused by various revolutions, which include Agrarian (Agriculture), Industrial, and the current Digital revolution. These revolutions have introduced an absolute and massive change associated with several major historic inventions. Some of the changes include the radical change from the nomadic lifestyle society to settled agrarian society, the shift to an industrialized society from the feudal agrarian world, and change from mechanical and analog technologies to digital technology. Industrial and digital revolutions are the most remarkable as well as fundamental events in the history of civilization. They are important events characterized by significant changes in different aspects of the human race, and their effects have made an impact on various aspects of life. In addition, industrial and digital revolutions are held responsible for several political, social, and economic changes. It seems that innovations related with these revolutions, such as machines and computers improved individuals way of life and ways of performing their daily tasks. In addition to advancing peoples way of life, industrial and digital revolution share several similarities. Some of these similarities include high innovation, introduction of new gadgets, increased efficiency as well as effectiveness, and economic as well as social change. However, industrial revolution and digital revolution also contrasts in several aspects. This paper will compare and contrast the impacts of the industrial revolution to that of the digital revolution in order to determine which of these revolutions has had the greatest impact. Industrial revolution refers to the evolution and innovative manufacturing processes, which followed from 1760 throughout until 1840. This transition involved the shift from manual production to machines production, new iron production and chemical manufacturing processes, improved efficiency of waterpower, development of machine tools, and increased use of steam power. Moreover, Industrial revolution included introduction of other energy sources other than wood, which included coal and other bio-fuels. This revolution started in Britain and later spread to the United States and Western Europe. Industrial Revolution point toward a defining moment in human history because almost each feature of peoples way of life has been influenced. One of the major consequences related to industrial revolution is the exceptional sustained growth in income and population. It also led to increased productivity, mobility, economic growth, and paved way for globalization (Greenwood 6). Digital revolution can be defined as an ongoing process of political, economic, and social change caused by digital technology, which includes the internet and computers. It became an important event in the 1980s with the popularity of computers as well as other digital devices and the internet, which opened global communications. Digital revolution guarantees to bring about economic and social change by establishing an information community, in which generating, owning, manipulating, and distributing information becomes an important cultural as well as economic activity. This revolution is a continuous process in which digital innovations challenge the existing technologies and require individuals to adjust their lifestyles and traditions. Furthermore, digital revolution is fuelled

Pearl Sriorathaikul 10D by several technologies, which include computers, digital electronics, the Web, communications networks, and digitization (Parsons and Oja 4). In comparing and contrasting industrial and digital revolution, several aspects can be used such as the social and economic influence, time of occurrence, positive and negative effects, and contributions among others. Industrial and digital revolutions appear in different timelines with regard to their occurrence. As noted, industrial revolution occurred from 1760 to around 1840 while digital is an ongoing process that became an essential event in the 1980s. The start of the industrial revolution is associated with several innovations, which started in the second half of the 18th century. On the other hand, digital technology is linked with a number of significant innovations in the 20th century, including the invention of computers and the internet. It is important to note that industrial and digital revolutions occurred due to varying reasons. Industrial revolution occurred because of the invention of machines that replaced hand tools, and use of steam as well as other types of power, which decreased the number of human beings for labor. This revolution was also enabled by the operation of the factory system in various sectors, mainly the production sector. The invention of the wheel also played a significant role in industrial revolution. These inventions and changes enabled the increased use of machines in various processes that only relied on human labor. On the other hand, digital revolution is fueled by several technologies, including computers, digital electronics, the web, communications networks, and digitization. The introduction of transistors in 1947 facilitated the development of digital devices such as computers and electronic devices associated with digital revolution (Janalta Interactive Inc. para.4). Furthermore, the popularity of computers in 1980s marks some of the significant trends in digital revolution. Digitization also account for some apparent effects of digital revolution, particularly those associated with the conversion of photos, sound, numbers, video, and text into data that digital devices are able to process (Parsons and Oja 7). Industrial and digital revolutions are characterized by different social, economic, and political changes. Industrial revolution is linked to great effect on social aspects, including standards of living, housing, and availability of basic needs, worlds population, and labor conditions. In the context of standards of living, industrial revolution changed the condition in the societies because of increased production, which caused a decline in the prices of goods. Therefore, many people could afford basic goods like clothes as an example. It then caused a shift from the cottage industry to factory as the merchants gathered workers under one roof in order to produce various goods, such as cloths (Hackett para.14). On the other hand, digital revolution has influenced societies traditions and lifestyles by generating, manipulating, and distributing information. Different technologies including the internet and the web have enabled globalization, and people can share information regarding their culture, lifestyles, and political as well as economic issues. As a result, digital revolution has caused several effects, both positive and negative. The positive effects of digital revolution include easier communication, and more

Pearl Sriorathaikul 10D exposure of information. Economic contributions include outsourcing and globalization, which has changed how companies and individuals interact. In contrast, digital revolution is associated with several negative effects, which include privacy invasion, internet predators, information overload, increased immorality, media saturation, and social isolation. Some technologies, such as portable digital devices and computers are linked with decreased companies productivity since employees are likely to use these devices for personal use such as instant messaging, emailing, and playing computer games. Industrial revolution made considerable contributions in textile industry, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and transport sectors. In the transport sector, industrial revolution facilitated the advancement of canal, road, and rail transport through the introduction of steam engines. It also initiated agricultural improvements with the invention of machines, and advanced the manufacturing sector through factors of production as well as economies of scale. Industrialists such as those in the textile industry were able to produce goods fasters using machines (Charles 9). In contrast, digital revolution revolves round information technology, entrainment sector, communication, and telecommunication sectors. In Information Technology, digital revolution has introduced several fundamental innovations, including the web, the internet, and computers. In addition, it has initiated advancement in the communication sector through digital devices and technologies that support high visibility and high-speed connections such as wireless connections, online chatting, digital televisions and others (Parsons and Oja 9). Industrial and digital revolutions have a similarity in that they relatively improved the well-being of the society. Digital revolution initiated advancement of technology from mechanical devices and analog electronic to the digital technology. As noted, it resulted in easier communication, greater interconnectedness, and more exposure of information. Industrial revolution brought about new manufacturing processes and inventions that increased the efficiency and effectiveness of machines, which significantly increased productivity. It also improved peoples living standards, trade market, transportation, and other sectors. Industrial and digital revolutions are the most dramatic as well as radical events in the history of civilization. These significant events are characterized by significant changes in political, social, and economic aspects. As above-mentioned, digital revolution and industrial revolution, establish several similarities and disparities. One of the significant differences is that industrial revolution occurred from 1760 to around 1840 while digital revolution is an ongoing process that became an essential event in the 1980s. In addition, they have made different contributions in various sectors. An analysis of digital and industrial revolutions reveals that both are critical events. However, digital revolution has influenced the world or humanity the most, and it effects are yet to be fully felt. It is apparent that digital revolution is an ongoing process that has a high potential of bringing about significant changes in the future.

Pearl Sriorathaikul 10D Works Cited

Charles, More. Understanding the Industrial Revolution. London: Routledge, 2000. Print. Greenwood, Jeremy. The Third Industrial Revolution: Technology, Productivity, and Income Inequality. Washington, D.C.: American Enterprise Institute, 1997. Print. Hackett, Lewis. Industrial Revolution. 1992. <Web>. 29 February 2013 Janalta Interactive Inc. Digital Revolution. 2010. <Web>. 29 February 2013. Parsons, June Jamrich and Dan Oja. New Perspectives on Computer Concepts 2010, Brief. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.