The prediction, in brief:

The benefits of telecommunities can potentially include combatting local parochialism; helping to establish individual memberships in a diverse range of communities, associations, and social movements; empowering isolated or marginalized groups; and facilitating transcommunity and intersocietal understanding, coordination, and accountability. Systems designed to support such uses – especially without subverting local community – are unlikely to emerge without concerted democratic struggle.

Predictor: Sclove, Richard

Prediction, in context:

In his 1995 book “Democracy and Technology,” Richard Sclove writes:”If the prospect of a telecommunity replacing spatially localized community ought to evoke skepticism or opposition, one can nevertheless remain open to the possibility of democratically managing the evolution of telecommunications systems in ways that instead supplement more traditional forms of democratic community. Caution is in order. However, the benefits of telecommunities can potentially include combatting local parochialism; helping to establish individual memberships in a diverse range of communities, associations, and social movements; empowering isolated or marginalized groups; and facilitating transcommunity and intersocietal understanding, coordination, and accountability. Systems designed to support such uses – especially without subverting local community – are unlikely to emerge without concerted democratic struggle.”

Biography:

Richard Sclove was founder and an advisory board member of The Loka Institute, a nonprofit organization in Amherst, Mass., dedicated to making research, science and technology responsive to social and environmental concerns. He is also the author of the book “Democracy and Technology” (1995). (Futurist/Consultant.)

Date of prediction: January 1, 1995

Topic of prediction: Global Relationships/Politics

Subtopic: General

Name of publication: Democracy and Technology

Title, headline, chapter name: Cybersobriety

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 80

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Taylor, Kellen L.