The General cleared his throat and leaned forward onto the podium.
“In the 1440s the Printing Press was invented. It was the first time in Accepted History where collections of documents, such as books, manuscripts, The Bible, or agricultural guides could be copied quickly and distributed. It was the beginning of Mass Communication. That is, it was the beginning of communication to masses of people through a medium not limited by immediate, spacial proximity.
“These printed documents could be made in abundance and travel far away from their source, all while maintaining the information they held. This technology would give rise to the sporadic city transcript, and later, the newspaper, journal, magazine and novel, the intellectual weathervanes of the educated.
“The Printing Press changed the world, Cadets. It was the spark that enflamed the Renaissance and fed the First Industrial Revolution. Another invention would be needed to send Mass Communications to its next level.
“In the 1800s, Electrical Telegraphy became common. Symbolic code could be sent through copper wire and interpreted by Receivers. These, Receivers, at first people and later mechanical devices, decrypted the code back into common language. No longer would printed documents need to endure long physical journeys from their origin. Now, information could be sent through wire instantly, deciphered on sight, and delivered to the appropriate audiences at far away locations.
“In 1920, the first radio broadcast of News occurred. Not long after this, radio broadcasts of music and sporting events became common. Radio Receivers would be made available at affordable prices. The birth of 'Entertainment Programming' would erupt, and Radio shows would begin their reign over the cultural landscape. Families would sit and enjoy an evening of communal listening. Bars and clubs would play the nightly boxing matches and daily baseball games along with what pack of cigarettes to buy. Automobiles would become the property of the common man, and radio receivers would be installed in every one of them.
“Cadets, some of the greatest moments of my life were spent blasting down a desert highway at night, listening to whatever sounds my car’s radio could pick-up out of the aether. It was a freedom so great and a joy so pure, I can hardly describe it.”
The General looked at the stage floor in thought. The Cadets watched the old General, waiting for him to continue.
“The power of Motion Pictures would not be fully realized until the 1950s, long after the invention of The Television. TVs were initially expensive, incredibly bulky, and had minuscule screens. As the viewing experience increased in enjoyability, however, the Television would eventually dethrone radio as the dominant force in our culture. Nightly news programs would inform the public more thoroughly. Entertainment Programming, once held back by the limitations of radio, could now charge forward into new territory. Talk shows sprang forth, giving context to what was deemed important to give context to. Variety shows, sitcoms, cartoons, all would become dominant forces over social norms, all of it providing an experience never-before-seen inside a living room.
“By the mid 1960s, Television over took Radio as the cultural Mecca, but Radio never strayed too far behind. The reason was simple? A Television requires Direct Attention, time spent viewing the device. Whereas, Radio, is experienced atmospherically. When combined, the two media are formidable, providing powerful tools of social influence. I suggest thinking of them in this manner: The Television is like a surgeons scalpel. Whereas, The Radio, is like a medication. Both have their value and place. Does that make sense to any of you?…”
The General scanned the auditorium. The Cadets sat still, watching and listening. Few gave any thought to the analogy. The General continued.
“Satellite relays in the 1960s and 1970s allowed radio and television broadcasts to truly go global, to be heard and viewed from anywhere on the planet at the same time. This major milestone in Mass Communication was finally accomplished. One source could now communicate with all regions of the globe at once. Decades would pass before the next major invention, The Internet, would push Mass Communications to its next level.
“The Public Internet began in the 1990s, in America. It was built on an established infrastructure of phone lines that made the initial experience cumbersome. Existing lines were ill-equipped for the data transfer needed, and to compensate, fiberoptic cable began filling the void and stitching the landscape. Image boards and chatrooms sprouted exponentially. The beginnings of online commerce began, especially commerce of the illegal variety. Law enforcement agencies scrambled to catch up in this new digital era. It was the Wild West, and it still is to some degree.
“What is more important to understand is that the behavior of individuals online could be recorded and quantified. There were, and are, no secrets online, Cadets. Users are recorded, with or without their consent, and Data, the New Gold of the New Gold Rush, was, and is, the pursuit.
Seeing the limitations of at-home, desktop data collection, technology companies began investing large sums of money into venture capitalism. Few could see it, but those who could, knew that Personal Data was The Gold, so resources were allocated for the production of new devices that would allow for easier and more dynamic access to this commodity. This gave birth to Smartphones and Tablets. Resources were also vested into heightening the enjoyment of the online experience. It was understood from the beginning, that the longer people stayed online, the greater the amount of data could be collected from them.
“Online gathering places spawned. These Social Media Platforms encouraged user-to-user interaction and generated Cults of Personality to follow and adore, or follow and hate. All of this occurred while platforms required its users to divulge personal information, identifying characteristics, even physical locations. To this day, these platforms continue this practice. They record mouse clicks and comments, track purchases and shopping habits, target users with questionnaires and polls, employ tactics designed to glean political leanings, religious beliefs, moral boundaries, even intellectual capability.”
The General scanned the auditorium. The Cadets were all paying attention. Several Cadets were nodding their heads as if they already knew what the General was lecturing about. The General continued.
“I have brought us up to the present day with concern for Mass Communications. I appreciate your patience.”
The General smiled.
“I’ll give a few words on what the future holds. It might be interesting to you…”
The General cleared his throat.
“The next step in the climb of Mass Communications involves the uplinking of the human mind directly into the communication apparatus. No device interference, no punching keys and giving passwords, a simple consent of the mind, or maybe No Consent at all, just direct access into a river of information… This technology is being developed right now, Cadets. There are real world, living exhibits that prove the concept. It is not science fiction. It is not a movie. It is the next step.”
The General gave a brief sigh.
“Now, I want you to ask yourself this question, ‘Why is this old man giving a Mass Communications history lesson in the first lecture of a course that is supposed to be about Psychological Warfare?…
“The reason is this. It is because you need to understand some things. You need to understand that one day you will need to make a choice. This choice could decide the future of our species. You will need to choose which side you will be on. You will need to choose what you will be fighting for. I know this might sound stark, but it is true. I don't know when that day will be, but it is coming. It is coming, and it will be your choice. So, I want you to understand some things.