The Modern Society: Information or Communication?

The article is devoted to the analysis of the processes taking place in our modern society. Opinion of a number of investigators about the role played by information in the society is that information is the essence of our modern society. It is from this point of view that revolutionary changes passed by mankind during all history of the development are presented. The concept of understanding the modern society as information one is thought of critically. The hypotesis about communication society as a form of joint activity of people is put forward. Information is perceived as a means to accelerate society progress rather than the society itself. The question “how often revolutionary processes in society happen” is considered from the standpoint of communication science. It is argued that the fifth communicative revolution which gave rise to communication society is taking place now. Stages of progress of this society are closely connected with the Internet-communication processes. The reasons for people’s turning to the Internet and both positive and negative consequences of this phenomenon are studied.