Abstract
The idea for this lecture is “Looking at a Complex Puzzle” from different viewpoints, including changes resulting from the passage of time. The title gives anchor-positions to each single word and question mark – and offers the possibility of combining two, three or all four words. It is not only “Technology Development”, but also mankind's fantasy that is driving us. Most of the developments for our reality and environment have already been described years or even decades ago. We are moving towards an “Information Society”, but do we not already have more than one type of “Society” on this planet?
The advantages of broadband communication with regard to education, knowledge formation and economical development are obvious, but not everyone has access to it or can use it. Last century during the 1950's, then United States' President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, initiated the “Atoms for Peace” Program. Worldwide networking was initiated with advanced information exchange. Is it now possible to set up a worldwide “Read, Write, Calculate and Think” Program?
Assuming that information is important for mankind, we see a large number of players taking action, but we must understand that no individual player can do everything alone. It is together that they create a totally “New World” for legal and regulatory developments. The difficulties of harmonization are clearly shown by the lack of results from the Global Business Dialog: We are not ready! And although we are not able to look into future, we are certain of the following: The character of the information society under development is unknown, and the future information complex needs steady careful observation and improvement whenever and wherever possible.