Looks at the technology of communication from the telegraph to fiber optics and the Internet. Includes a range of follow-up activities.

Proposes that a revolution of high-speed, high-powered networks, not limited to the capacity of the PC, will enable users to transmit information at an exponentially higher rate.

As Wu's sweeping history shows, each of the new media of the twentieth century- radio, telephone, television, and film- was born free and open. Each invited unrestricted use and enterprising experiment until some would-be mogul battled his way to total domination. Explaining how invention begets industry and industry begets empire- a progress often blessed by government, typically with stifling consequences for free expression and technical innovation...