TCI could have tens of millions of television set-top boxes within a few years. [Microsoft] Windows 95 is going to have the Microsoft Network bundled into it, potentially reaching tens of millions of more users. Because of those huge numbers, either company could wipe out Net culture and give itself tremendous economic and cultural control … [Biggest threat:] It’s ripe for demagoguery and attempts at censorship. That’s the other side of our happy little utopian dream. There are people who would destroy it, but so far they’ve either been looking the other way or haven’t succeeded yet in gaining leverage.
Predictor: Rheingold, Howard
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 article published by Inc. magazine Howard Rheingold is quoted telling what he regards the “scariest thing” and the “biggest threat” to the Internet: ”Scariest thing: ‘[Cable giant] TCI could have tens of millions of television set-top boxes within a few years. [Microsoft] Windows 95 is going to have the Microsoft Network bundled into it, potentially reaching tens of millions of more users. Because of those huge numbers, either company could wipe out Net culture and give itself tremendous economic and cultural control’ … Biggest threat: ‘It’s ripe for demagoguery and attempts at censorship. That’s the other side of our happy little utopian dream. There are people who would destroy it, but so far they’ve either been looking the other way or haven’t succeeded yet in gaining leverage.'”
Biography:Howard Rheingold, one of the first writers to illuminate the ideals and foibles of virtual communities, published a webzine called Electric Minds and wrote “Virtual Reality,” “Smart Mobs” and “Virtual Community.” He also was the editor of Whole Earth Review and the Millennium Whole Earth Catalog. (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure
Subtopic: Role of Govt./Industry
Name of publication: Inc.
Title, headline, chapter name: Net Alert
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=a0c7feaeeffd394bbc48d880dc672ca3&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVlz-lSlAl&_md5=05dddd103d2d1c7e5a5d5a04c0c931f2
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Smith, Ian T.