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The invention of talk

BMJ 2002; 324 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.324.7337.0/j (Published 09 March 2002) Cite this as: BMJ 2002;324:j

Somebody has just invented talk. We humans have so far communicated entirely through the written word, signs, smell, and touch. This new medium seems to have devastating power. It is probably a “transformational” technology. Everything will change. Individuals can exchange large amounts of information rapidly, far more rapidly than with the written word. People can ask questions to check that they are understanding and are understood. Up to a dozen people can use talk to interact at once. Using amplification and broadcasting, it may be possible for one person to talk to millions. People can whisper, shout, curse, brainwash, and cast spells. Derivatives …

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