Public awareness of these issues will be raised only by making the tools available. “If you can’t demonstrate stuff, it’s hard to explain. If we flood the world with these [encryption] tools, that’s going to make a big difference.”
Predictor: Jennings, Tom
Prediction, in context:In a 1993 article for Wired magazine, Steven Levy writes about encryption, quoting cryptoactivist Tom Jennings, founder of the FIDOnet matrix of computer bulletin boards. Levy writes: ”Ultimately, the value of PGP is in its power to unleash the possibilities of cryptography. Tom Jennings, founder of the FIDOnet matrix of computer bulletin boards, finds the software useful, but becomes positively rapturous as he contemplates its psychic influence. To Jennings, a gay activist, cryptography has the potential to be a powerful force in protecting the privacy of targeted individuals. ‘People who never have had cops stomping through their house don’t care about this [cryptography],’ Jennings said. He believes that public awareness of these issues will be raised only by making the tools available. ‘If you can’t demonstrate stuff, it’s hard to explain.’ On the other hand, said Jennings, ‘If we flood the world with these [encryption] tools, that’s going to make a big difference.'”
Biography:Tom Jennings developed FidoNet in 1983 and by 1988 it was connected to the Internet, enabling the exchange of news and e-mail. By 1992, it was a linked network of amateur electronic bulletin board systems with more than 13,000 nodes worldwide. He was given an EFF Pioneer Award in 1992. (Pioneer/Originator.)
Date of prediction: May 1, 1993
Topic of prediction: Communication
Subtopic: Security/Encryption
Name of publication: Wired
Title, headline, chapter name: Crypto Rebels
Quote Type: Partial quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.02/crypto.rebels_pr.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Lusk, James T.