Like any community contending with explosive growth, Internet must adapt to the stimulus provided by its newer participants, and conflicts have arisen over the purpose of the network and how it evolves. Privacy, information security, censorship, commercial content on the network are some of the big issues, along with ensuring that Internet embraces the developments we’re seeing in broadband, multimedia, personal communications and advanced intelligent networking.
Predictor: Monty, Jean C.
Prediction, in context:In the Forward to the 1994 book “Canadian Internet Handbook,” Jean C. Monty, president and CEO of Northern Telecom, writes: ”There’s no question we’re rapidly entering a multimedia world where we will be able to communicate with just anybody by sending them an electronic message; no matter where they are, the bundle of bits will find them. The knowledge of the world and the videos, too, will be just a point or click away. So will anyone we want to hear from … In many ways, Internet is a prototype of the intelligent universe with its expanding range of information sources, its diversity of discussion groups that connect globally, its myriad communications pathways, and of course, its unique culture and codes of conduct for online socializing … It’s also evident that Internet and its administrators face significant challenges in the years ahead. Like any community contending with explosive growth, Internet must adapt to the stimulus provided by its newer participants, and conflicts have arisen over the purpose of the network and how it evolves. Privacy, information security, censorship, commercial content on the network are some of the big issues, along with ensuring that Internet embraces the developments we’re seeing in broadband, multimedia, personal communications and advanced intelligent networking.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Jurisdiction/Control
Name of publication: Canadian Internet Handbook
Title, headline, chapter name: Forward
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Forward xv
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Burnham, Jay