What began with the invention of the telephone in 1876 has today become a global net of cables, satellites, transmitters, and receivers that enables half the population of the planet to exchange works, data, and images in seconds. It could take less than 25 years more to give the other half of the world’s people this same power.
The unified global telecommunications system, which is called "the Meganet", represents the greatest construction project ever undertaken. If present trends continue, by early in the 21st century the Meganet will link every computer terminal, fax machine, databank, and telephone instrument on earth.
Unlike its anarchic (无政府主义的) cousin the Internet, which evolved from free interaction among interest groups of computer users. the Meganet of local telephone service, long-distance lines, communications satellites, and mobile relays has been planned, constructed, regulated and largely sponsored by governments and for-profit business interests. As new materials and technologies bring reliable voice and data links to formerly isolated or closed communities, political and economic power struggles grow.
The Meganet breaks long-established patterns of social identity and responsibility. Where private individuals have uncensored access to global information sources, local standards of legality or decency become difficult even to set, let alone to enforce. Economic values may shift, too. Public utility companies have long supplied electric power over miles of high-tension lines, or pumped water through underground pipelines into thousands of homes. Now they are finding that their power-line rights-of-way and physical into-home connections let them compete with cable TV and phone companies to supply information services as well.
Meganet impacts are often double-edged for finance and business, too. New York’s Wall Street district lost 20% of its work force—some 100000 jobs—in less than a decade, as computers took over tasks once performed by clerks and banks did more of their business by phone transfers and automated teller machines.
"The Meganet" is （）。
A. sponsored by governments
B. similar to its cousin the Internet
C. the continuity of the Internet
D. evolved from spontaneous interaction among interest groups of computer users
