Computer communications can be sorted through, and you can keep what you want and kill what you don’t. Increasingly, as your communication is channeled through computers, you will increase your control over it. It’s the dumb terminal, the phone, which is the model of the violation. It violates your time and attention because it’s dumb. If you have a really smart terminal that can sort through the communications and identify them, you can reject anything you don’t want.
Predictor: Gilder, George
Prediction, in context:The June 1994, Network Observer, an online newsletter, carries an part of an article from June, 1994, Upside magazine. Network Observer was edited by Phil Agre of the Department of Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles. He comments on the article by consultant and technology seer George Gilder, writing: ”In a fascinating interview in Upside magazine (June 1994 issue, pages 36-55), George Gilder is asked about the privacy issues associated with emerging computer network technology … : ”‘Some of the fear of invasion of privacy is misplaced. What is really an invasion of privacy is a telemarketer who gets you out of bed or the shower. They don’t have any idea who you are, no notion of what you want. That’s what really offends you … Computer communications can be sorted through, and you can keep what you want and kill what you don’t. Increasingly, as your communication is channeled through computers, you will increase your control over it. It’s the dumb terminal, the phone, which is the model of the violation. It violates your time and attention because it’s dumb. If you have a really smart terminal that can sort through the communications and identify them, you can reject anything you don’t want.”
Biography:George Gilder was a pioneer the formulation of the theory of supply-side economics. In his major book “Microcosm” (1989), he explored the quantum roots of the new electronic technologies. His book “Life After Television,” published by W.W. Norton (1992), is a prophecy of computers and telecommunications displacing the broadcast-TV empire. He followed it with another classic, “Telecosm.” (Futurist/Consultant.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Community/Culture
Subtopic: Information Overload
Name of publication: The Network Observer
Title, headline, chapter name: Orwellian privacy
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://dlis.gseis.ucla.edu/people/pagre/tno/june-1994.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne