Chinese Culture Under the Impact of Informatization

The importance of information in modern society and culture has caught the attention of the media, economists, sociologists, and even philosophers. The "informational era" and "informational society" have already become common phrases heard everywhere. However, we feel that the process by which today's world is rushing towards an informational society, albeit continually underway, is still unable to be referred to as an "informational society" which over-generalizes some partial phenomena and is wishful thinking. On account of this, I gladly use the word "informatization" rather than "informational society" to describe the present development of Taiwan's information. This phrase was first coined by two French scholars by the names of S. Nora and A. Minc to describe the widespread use of computer networks and the spread of the concept of information throughout the entire society. We feel that in addition to the above, we also have to take into consideration the degree of new inventions and the development of informational technology as well as the changes they create. Therefore, we define "informatization" as:

"The process of creation and development of informational technology in a certain area which increases the speed and amount of various information and the extent of circulation, and which makes people better understand the importance of information and make large-scale use of hardware, so that information gradually occupies a leading role in the course of the area's economy, politics, and society."

Since 1979, when the government on Taiwan drew up the Ten-Year Plan for the Economic Construction of the R.O.C., it clearly set the informational industry as the R.O.C.'s strategic industry so the informational industry continually developed. According to 1986 statistics, the year's exports of related informational products amounted to US$2.134 billion. From January to October 1987, business increased 77 percent over the same period the year before. In the area of employment structure, Taiwan also gradually began to develop towards a modern informational society. In 1980, nearly forty percent of the population became involved in service, and the number of workers in the field of information-related service is rising sharply. In addition, the level of computerization has also risen. Telegrams have continually developed, and general informational mediums like newspapers, periodicals, and books have increased greatly. Although Taiwan has yet to be an "informational society," it is already on the road of "informatization."

The breadth and depth by which the process of informatization takes place will affect a nation's economy, political situation, and society. What concerns us most, however, is the effect it will bring about on our culture.

From now on, our information policy must consider the cultural factors and our cultural policy must take into consideration the informational factors to make suitable plans and decide on the directions they should take. To readjust the informational concept of our people, correct the bad inclination of utilitarianism, strengthen the creativity of our own culture, and at the same time emphasize information and efficiency and further strengthen the self-consciousness of the people and humanistic discipline, we must first get rid of the shortcomings and develop the good points of the culture and integrate the characteristics of the informational culture. Besides, there is a need for changes in government policy and education, along with a need for self-awareness in young people, so that the people can accept new things. At the same time we should also employ our own culture to give it greater creativity and integration, so Chinese culture can continue to develop in a most prosperous way during the era of information.