Best-selling author and New York University professor, Clay Shirky, speaks about newly established collaboration technologies and the transformation of media in today’s society, in this vibrant and fascinating TED video.

Shirky believes that there have only been four times in history where media has advanced enough to call itself a “Revolution”. The printing press, two-way communication with the telegraph and telephone, recorded media (including photos and movies), and the electromagnetic spectrum that sends sounds and images to radio and television. These were all pivotal points in the history of media.

While the media has gotten more social, through sites such as Facebook and Twitter, innovations are constantly occurring. Not only has social media created group conversation, but the Internet has become the common ground to every other medium and has turned consumers into producers as well. Shirky is sure social media will make history and possibly become the fifth “Revolution.”

To watch the full video and find out more about the effect of social media on creating a more democratic landscape, click above.