I'm surprised at how little mention has been made of the internet. You can raise funds for research, study any subject no matter what your age or language, access more books from more places, collaborate widely, promote any idea or concept, buy and sell practically anything. I'm 70 and listen to some 50 podcasts each week that deal with research, economics, culture, computers, medicine, politics, a foreign language, entertainment and world affairs; have to use fast playback speeds to get thru so much material. Much of it really good stuff, too. Is there any way to look at the impact this has?