The final step required the development of instantaneous personal communications, linked with central computers.
But now, with instantaneous communication around the world, the ambassador is primarily in a social role.
There was instantaneous communication between them, deeper than spoken words.
The instantaneous communication of modern technology has increased the value of these skills, she explained.
The availability of cheap, instantaneous and global communications is having an impact, for example, on mass opinion.
"It still happens, even with instantaneous and worldwide communication."
It was a simple fact that no political grouping spread over most of the Galaxy could hold together without instantaneous communication.
This rapid growth of instantaneous, decentralized communication is often deemed likely to change mass media and its relationship to society.
In a world of universal and instantaneous communication, it was very difficult to keep secrets.
Thus effective action requires almost instantaneous communication and computerized decision making.