It is this spirit, the type of fundamental human regard that so often appears to be in short supply in the “real” world, that may prove to be the most exhilarating and empowering aspect of this evolving technology.
Predictor: Catalfo, Phil
Prediction, in context:Phil Catalfo provided a personalized look at his experiences as a member of The Well [the San Francisco-area’s Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link] online community in an essay published in a 1993 collection about community. He explained how his online community reacted when an active and vocal member committed suicide, and says he sees the “fundamental human regard” provided in online groups will be an important future social support system whereÉ ”[people gather] on a central, common ground to share the prosaic and the profound, the small facts and large events that become landmarks in a community’s life. And in the end, it is this spirit, the type of fundamental human regard that so often appears to be in short supply in the ‘real’ world, that may prove to be the most exhilarating and empowering aspect of this evolving technology.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1993
Topic of prediction: Community/Culture
Subtopic: Virtual Communities
Name of publication: Changing Community: The Graywolf Annual Ten
Title, headline, chapter name: America, Online
Quote Type: Partial quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 175
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney