Final answer:
The most important invention of the last 50 years is the internet, as it has fundamentally transformed information flow, which is considered the most important commodity in a postindustrial society. Smartphones, renewable energy technology, and medical advancements are also significant, but the internet's impact on information access and distribution places it at the forefront.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the most important invention of the last 50 years, each option has significantly impacted our postindustrial society. However, if we look at what is most vital in such a society, the answer to the question 'What is the most important commodity in a postindustrial society?' could help guide our decision. The most important commodity is often considered to be information.
The internet is a platform that enables the flow of information on an unprecedented scale. Similarly, smartphones have become the primary tool for accessing the internet on the go, further cementing information's pivotal role. While renewable energy technology and medical advancements are critical for sustainability and health respectively, the very essence of a postindustrial society revolves around the creation, distribution, and management of information.
The advancements in technology over the last 50 years have enabled this information flow, revolutionizing how we communicate, work, and live. From the nanotechnology that powers our devices to the satellite communications that connect us, these tools have been instrumental in shaping the modern information society. It can be argued that without the internet's capacity to disseminate information so widely and rapidly, many other inventions, including advancements in renewable energy and medicine, might not have been as impactful or evolved as quickly.
Thus, while each invention listed is important in its own right, the predominant role of information in a postindustrial society suggests that the internet, as the infrastructure of our information-driven world, could be considered the most important invention of the last 50 years.