>>So can I conclude that you yourself have seen NO REAL EVIDENCE of a genuine "information economy" (locally or from reading/viewing of developments elsewhere) and that as far as you're concerned it remains at this point a viable concept that has yet to materialize?
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>I think there are several aspects that have to be analyzed separately.
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>Are more and more companies using computers to process large amounts of information? Accessing lots of information over the Internet? Actually using this information? Spending money (and human resources) on all this? Let's say, compared with some decades ago. I think the answer is definitely "yes".
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>Does this translate into more jobs - in total? Probably not. That's what I mean with a "change in emphasis" - compared with 100 years ago, companies are probably spending more money on information - but less on some other things.
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>Now, the fact that some computer programmers are jobless may simply mean that there have been overly optimistic estimates in this sense.

Hilmar;

There are many examples of changes in the job market throughout time. Take the last hundred years as an example and specifically, the first 30 years. There were thousands of pianists and organists employed by movie theaters throughout the United States. They played background music for silent movies.

One day the “talkies” were introduced and overnight all the musicians were fired from movie theaters.

People make education and career decisions every day. Only thirteen percent of the people with college degrees in this country work in his/her career field. A mistake is to think that anything will remain the same. Be ready for change at all times as we are surrounded by it. Be content that you will do your best. I have no control over the world so I have to feel satisfied that I am doing my best.

The first job my father’s father had was as a Blacksmith. When Grandpa John was young he joined the United States Calvary, and was a Blacksmith. By the way the Calvary became the Army Tank Corp. No Blacksmith’s were needed for tanks. Grandpa John finished his Army days and became a cowboy, and then a lumber truck driver.

My mothers father also had many different careers – dairy ranching, lumber, painting, construction, chauffeur, and finally as a member of the San Francisco Public Works Department.

Both of my grandfathers worked from about 1900 to 1965. They enjoyed the Great Depression as did so many and were able to survive. Somehow humanity has come this far with change always at the horizon or engulfing us.

I hope humanity is able to continue to survive and seem skeptical about our abilities. In part this may be because of “too much information” and media hype about all the impending dooms that we are about to experience.

As each year passes it seems everything is accelerated including the pace of life and impending doom.

Tom