Final answer:
Information societies, underpinned by digital technology, have evolved to focus on producing and servicing information rather than material goods. This shift has created a new dynamic where technological literacy and information distribution are key to socioeconomic status. The role of digital technology in these societies is analogous to the steam engine in the industrial era.
Step-by-step explanation:
Information Societies and Digital Technology
Information societies, also known as digital societies or postindustrial societies, represent a transformative phase of societal development characterized by a shift from manufacturing to the production of information and services. In this era, digital technology plays a pivotal role, much like the steam engine did during the industrial revolution.
Pioneers in technology such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates can be seen as modern counterparts to industrial tycoons like John D. Rockefeller and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
The advent of information societies is attributed to various factors, including the rapid increase in computer use, automation in manufacturing, and the growth of the Internet. As a result, traditional production methods have evolved, with industries like music and film moving from physical formats to digital distribution. The publishing industry, for example, is transitioning from traditional paper-based media to electronic 'e-books', signifying the change in how information is disseminated.
In such societies, social classes are divided by access to education and technical skills. The ability to produce, store, and share information is a powerful determinant of success, making the possession of technological literacy and creative use of information critical in achieving socioeconomic advancement.