Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part guest opinion. The second part will be published in Saturday's paper.
Iowa City's future, like that of every community, will be determined by its citizens' response to the Information Age.
My last water bill came with a colorful brochure about Iowa City's future: "Beyond 2000." Aside from the professional (and undoubtedly expensive) graphics, it leaves much to be desired.
The language is as general as a candidate's stump speech. To the extent the brochure identifies specific goals, it makes no provision either for measuring progress toward them nor for periodic public reporting. But its most glaring omission is telecommunications. And this is the key to Iowa City's economic future. Think of the "Ages of Humankind," defined by the tasks that engaged the greatest proportion of the population at any given time. So perceived, our species has progressed through a Foraging Age, Agricultural Age, and Industrial Age.
Today almost no one is foraging, fewer than 5 percent of us easily grow more food than we need, and automation leaves few assembly line jobs.
We live in an Information Age. Most of those lucky enough to be employed are part of the information economy. It represents well over half our gross domestic product.
Consider the University of Iowa, its Hospital and Clinics, and many of the businesses that gather around university communities. Iowa City is potentially well positioned to profit from this change in the global economy. But only if we are conscious of what's happening.
Imagine if there were Iowa City residents in 1796. They produce a report called "Beyond 1800." Wouldn't we think it odd if it said nothing at all about Iowa's resources for an Agricultural Age?
By 1996 Iowa City has passed through that agricultural age. Isn't it equally odd that those writing "Beyond 2000" have said nothing at all about the impact of the Information Age upon today's community?
The economic significance is overwhelming. But the Information Age impacts every aspect of our lives, not just work. Some consequences we can affect. Some we can't. All are worth awareness and reflection. Here are a half-dozen of hundreds that could be mentioned.
Mediated Life. Iowa City residents 150 years ago had books, stories, songs, and vivid imaginations. But most of the day was spent interacting with nature and humans. Today, after sleep and work, most of our time is spent in a "mediated life" provided by television, computer screens, video games, radio and recorded music.
A family vacation is more likely to be spent at an amusement park than a national park. Our "best friends" may be a half-world away in Cyberspace. The onrushing potential of "virtual reality" devices promises to pull us even closer to the schizophrenic's inability to distinguish reality from fantasy.
What are the implications of this trend for Iowa City's parks or the "media education" curriculum of its schools? For Hancher, and other live entertainment? For mental health centers?
Family Life. Episodic television is a poor substitute for pre-TV family activities. But a family that watches together at least has the TV show in common, however awful it may be.
Today we enjoy "the 99.9%-off" sale. Computers that were $3 million are now $3,000 (and less). VCRs that were $200,000 are now $200. Many homes have more than one. This means that family members who used to watch TV together without talking can now watch computer screens alone without talking. What are the implications of this trend for Iowa City's crime rates, churches and social services? The need for city ownership of local cable TV and Internet service providers?
The categories of issues are endless. What's the role of the public, and university, libraries once the Internet brings the Library of Congress into every home?
What's the impact on local merchants, housing, streets, traffic, malls, parking and office space when telecommunications permits us to work, bank and shop from home? What are the implications of the Iowa Communications Network, schools without walls, and telemedicine on the building programs of the University, and local schools?
These are among the dozens of categories of issues that any meaningful look "Beyond 2000" needs consider. Some of the most significant impact business opportunities and jobs. They are the subject of Part II.
Nicholas Johnson, an Iowa City native and former FCC commissioner, teaches Law of Electronic Media at the University of Iowa College of Law.