First Assignment

Question  1.
     Gutenberg's invention of the printing press allowed mass transmission of information to the populous.  During the renaissance period in Europe, only the upper class were taught to read.  One of the reasons for this is only the wealthy could afford the hand transcribes book being produced.  The technology that Gutenberg invented allowed books to be produced much more quickly and affordable.  This made it possible for the masses to afford them and in turn learn how to read them. 
      Gutenberg's effect on current socitey can been seen as simply as the legacy of obtainable information.  Not only that this information is available, but that it is our right to obtain it.   Not to be cliche, but information can be power.  There have been cases where empowered and informed citizens, with a certain type of knowledge have overthrown governments.

Question   2.
     It would not be a stretch to relate the grater availability of information of the late renaissance to the contemporary scene that obtaining information is our right.  This ability to gain information and to portray it in the form of art has been happening for century's in the west.  In contrast, art of Mao era China often shared sentiments of hyper government control through lack of or inability to communicate information.  
     In a more direct comparison, the technology that Gutenberg invented over five hundred years ago is very similar to  the precess that produces large volume publications.  Or at least the precursor to the widely used digital printing methods used today.