Introduction
Information plays a key role in several processes in literally all parts of the globe. It is a part of existence that cannot be ignored, especially where growth and development are anticipated. Different states invest a lot of resources to ensure that information is available in a reliable form, to the right audience, at a convenient time, and as easily as possible. Information should be utilized by every organization in full capacity to realize its benefits (Solis & LePoire, 2020). Several platforms can be utilized for publishing information so that it is easily accessible to people who may need it. The history of information availability and distribution, its current condition, and the future implication follow a pattern and are interrelated.
Historical Development
Information availability and distribution have been resourceful to the world in several ways since its discovery. Improvement in human civilization and the ability to express oneself through writing was first experienced about five thousand years ago (Solis & LePoire, 2020). This development paved the way for better means of communication and ease of understanding among people. Acquisition of information further led to a need for an artificial means of scripting so that the information acquired could be passed down to generations. The invention of printing met the needs of thousands of people who wanted to express their opinions artificially. This invention led to the publishing of almost a million books in Europe. The point of access to these materials was a library, which provided storage of the result of human civilization. The printing presses and libraries provided a firm foundation for the current information availability and accessibility condition.
The Current Condition
It is currently easier and cheaper to find information on different online platforms than it was in the past. Technological innovations continue to improve both the quality of information and its accessibility (Solis & LePoire, 2020). The internet is very helpful in accessing information on digital media. The information accessed can be books, songs, movies, blogs, articles, journals, and any information that is available in its physical form. This means that libraries and printing presses decline in usage and marketability. Once a physical device is made available and a connection to the internet is established, one can access any kind of information from any location. The future of digital media as a source of information presents a lot of opportunities and challenges in the same measure.
The Future Implication
The availability of information and its online distribution presents a good deal of challenges for future consumers. Although the advancement continues to improve the quality of decision-making and answers different questions, it is also detrimental to human behavior and thinking patterns (Solis & LePoire, 2020). The knowledge of the availability of information online hinders the researcher from using their critical thinking skills to evaluate different life situations. Once an individual is presented with a challenge, the first thought that crosses the mind is to rush to an online platform and retrieve the answers that they presume are the correct ones. The implication is a lack of wisdom on the part of the researcher and even low confidence levels. Information evolution is key for changes experienced globally and overreliance on online information presents a future with low-quality updates of information. The advantages of online availability of information may outweigh its disadvantages, but it still requires a lot of caution as it may lead to a deterioration in the quality of human thinking patterns.
Conclusion
Information availability and distribution have gone through trends that only tend to make its access better. Since the discovery of writing and printing, there have been technological improvements that tend to curb the challenges experienced in previous ways of communication. The globe is currently reduced to a small space as information can be accessed from different parts of the world using the internet. This tends to eliminate the old ways, such as the libraries and print media, from the market economy. The future is promising in terms of data availability and distribution due to the numerous technological improvements being experienced globally. This may come with challenges in human behavior that need to be looked out for the better utility of information.
Reference
Solis, K., & LePoire, D. J. (2020). Big history trends in information processes. In: Korotayev A., LePoire D. (eds) The 21st-century singularity and global futures (pp. 145-161). Springer.