信息時代(The information age)

　　“knowledge is power.” this is more obviously true with the advent(到來) of the information age. with the rapid development of science and technology, man’s knowledge is increasing very quickly. more and more books and scientific papers are published every year. it is said that the total of man’s knowledge doubles every ten years. besides, information spreads very quickly through television and computer networks, and people in different countries can share their knowledge and information in a fantastic(驚人的) short period. like population explosion, information explosion in our times.

　　at the beginning of the industrial revolution, a country's comparative(相對的,比較的) advantage depended largely on the natural resources endowed(天生具有) by nature. then, people experienced several phases(階段) in industry revolution: the primary industry(agriculture), the secondary industry(manufacturing 工業(yè)), and the tertiary(第三的) industry(服務(wù)). now, we are in the fourth industry stage----the information industry.

　　it is argued that in future people should no longer be classified(分類的) as white collars(衣領(lǐng)) or blue collars, but rather as knowledge or non-knowledge workers. the knowledge workers can not only read and write, and perform rote(死記硬背) tasks, they must meet the basic requirements(需要) of computer literacy(讀寫能力) and constantly(不斷地) conceive(想象，構(gòu)想) new way to match(相適合) the changing demands of increasing productivity(生產(chǎn)率,生產(chǎn)力).

　　it is people mastering the most advanced knowledge who will take the lead. systems developers(開發(fā)者), computer scientists and programmers, management analysts and inventors are in most demand in the industry countries.

　　the challenge(挑戰(zhàn)) facing every country is to resuscitate(復蘇) its investment(投資) and training. the only way to get greater knowledge is though education and training. knowledge, like capital(首都) and material resources, has become an essential(不可缺的) factor of production. therefore, the educational system of a society ought to enable its members to make a rapid transition(過渡) to adapt to the knowledge-based war. otherwise, that society will inevitably(不可避免的) lag(落后) behind.