The Birth of Journalism

I've never really appreciated just how important the printing press is to modern society. The foundations of all our understanding of the world around us, which effectively govern the way in which we live, derive from the birth of such a simple, but groundbreaking concept; standardized copying.

It can be no surprise that so few advancements were made in society during the Dark Ages, when there was no means of transmitting ideas to the masses. But the press, as was stated in the lecture, 'empowered' mankind to record their discoveries and findings. People could read and learn and pass on that learning to the next generation. It inspired us to go out into the world and actually try to understand; something that has become human nature.

Addison's essays underline the freedom of airing one's views. Their wit and humour exemplify the enjoyment in simply communicating with the rest of society, rather than just a small community. And from such works, has blossomed a means of knowing what is happening on the other side of the planet, every day. Journalism's importance to us should certainly not be forgotten.

Einstein said the printing press was the most important invention of all time. And from it, we gain one of our most important assets; knowledge.