My suspicion is that sooner or later the Internet will approximate the 50-50 ratio [of men and women], simply because the Internet is going to reach a larger portion of the entire population.
Predictor: Quarterman, John S.
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 article for The New York Times, Peter Lewis quotes Internet demographer John Quarterman. Lewis writes: ”A new demographic survey of the Internet has confirmed that the global computer network is predominantly a men’s club, with mail users outnumbering female users by a ratio of nearly 2 to 1. But the new numbers are considered surprising, because earlier and less rigorous surveys had put the margin closer to 9 to 1. What does this mean? For businesses hoping to exploit the Internet for marking and digital commerce, it means the audience is not the electronic fraternity of bearded college students, Doonesburys and Dilberts that many have assumed it to be … ‘My suspicion is that sooner or later the Internet will approximate the 50-50 ratio, simply because the Internet is going to reach a larger portion of the entire population,’ said John S. Quarterman of Matrix Information and Directory Services of Austin, Texas, which conducted the survey.”
Date of prediction: May 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Digital Divide
Name of publication: New York Times
Title, headline, chapter name: Technology; On The Net
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=890d409b3331214dee1e04b803b07d6
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Scott, Carrie M.