Advances in computers and data networks inspire visions of a future " information economy" in which everyone will have (1) to gigabytes of all kinds of information anywhere and anytime. (2) information has always been a (3) difficult commodity to deal with, and, in some ways, computers and high-speed networks make the problems of buying, (4) , and distributing information goods worse (5) better. The evolution of the Internet itself (6) serious problems. (7) the Internet has been privatized, several companies are (8) to provide the backbones that will carry traffic (9) local networks, but (10) business models for interconnection--who pays how much for each packet (11) , for example--have (12) to be developed. (13) interconnection standards are developed that make (14) cheap and easy to transmit information across independent networks, competition will (15) . If technical or economic (16) make interconnection difficult, (17) transmitting data across multiple networks is expensive or too slow, the (18) suppliers can offer a significant performance (19) ; they may be able to use this edge to drive out competitors and (20) the market.
The first and most important agents of socialization are the people who care for infants. In the earliest months, messages from nurturers constitute the child’s basic understanding of the world around it. This is the infant’s first introduction to the language that shapes perception and elicits emotion.
B.
Another powerful source of information and socialization is the friendship of peers. Peers are equals that one can deal with on the same level as oneself, whereas parents are superiors. The heavy emotional overlay of family relationships makes some kinds of learning difficult.
C.
Much formal socialization is placed in the hands of professionals. Teachers from kindergarten on are specifically designated agents of socialization. Ideally, a teacher is one who has both knowledge and the skills to present it. During the course of teaching their subjects, classroom instructors provide role models and attempt to convey the excitement of learning itself.
D.
In earlier times, parents, friends and teachers would comprise the list of primary childhood socializers. Children’s books, comics and magazines might also have been mentioned as sources of information on norms and role models. Today one must add three powerful indirect or non-personal socialization agents: radio, movies and television. Many people learn about politics, form a vision of well-being, and develop attitudes towards others from what they see on the screen and hear through the speakers.