Human perspectives in the world of information technologies: from homo sapiens to homo informativus

The article analyzes the social impact of introducing information technologies to the daily life of people. Intensive computerization of the structure of society transforms the social environment, and, consequently, transforms a person as an object of socialization that updates the problem of a new image of Homo sapiens. The author substantiates the influence of information technologies on establishing the system of specific anthropological qualities which constitutes a pattern of Homo informativus. It is concluded that these qualities are caused by transforming the value priorities of a person involved in the information space. The article reviews contradictions reflecting the peculiarities of human existence in the informative social environment. The study distinguishes technology-related, cognitive, communicative, emotional and behavioral contradictions which determine a new image of a human and the prospects of human existence in the information society. The paper shows that these contradictions are based on the immaturity of a new type of social order and the inability of a person to adapt oneself to realities of the informational expansion.