Today, in the electronic age of instantaneous 
communication, I believe that our survival, and at 
the very least our comfort and happiness, is 
predicated on understanding the nature of our new 
environment, because unlike previous environmental 
changes, the electric media constitute a total and 
near instantaneous transformation of culture, 
values and attitudes. This upheaval generates great 
pain and identity loss, which can be ameliorated 
only through a consciousness of its dynamics. If we 
understand the revolutionary transformations 
caused by new media, we can anticipate and control 
them; but if we continue in our self-induced 
subliminal trance, we will be their slaves.