The prediction, in brief:

In the postwar atomization of American social life, the rise of middle-class suburbs created communities of neighbors who often remained strangers … We seem to be in the process of retreating further into our homes, shopping for merchandise in catalogues or on television channels, shopping for companionship via personal ads. Technological optimists think that computers will reverse some of this social atomization, touting virtual experience and virtual community as ways for people to widen their horizons. But is it really sensible to suggest that the way to revitalize the community is to sit alone in our rooms, typing at our networked computers and filling our lives with virtual friends?

Predictor: Turkle, Sherry

Prediction, in context:

In her 1995 book “Life on the Screen,” Sherry Turkle – an accomplished social psychologist, sociologist and anthropologist from MIT whose studies centered around people and computers for decades – writes:”In the postwar atomization of American social life, the rise of middle-class suburbs created communities of neighbors who often remained strangers … We seem to be in the process of retreating further into our homes, shopping for merchandise in catalogues or on television channels, shopping for companionship via personal ads. Technological optimists think that computers will reverse some of this social atomization, touting virtual experience and virtual community as ways for people to widen their horizons. But is it really sensible to suggest that the way to revitalize the community is to sit alone in our rooms, typing at our networked computers and filling our lives with virtual friends?”

Biography:

Sherry Turkle was the author of “Life on the Screen: Computers and the Human Spirit.” and a professor of the psychology of science at MIT. (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)

Date of prediction: January 1, 1995

Topic of prediction: Community/Culture

Subtopic: Relationships

Name of publication: Life on the Screen (book)

Title, headline, chapter name: Chapter 9: Virtuality and its Discontents

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 235

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney