Obviously, mandating Internet technological standards in the federal government is out of the question since legislation and regulation have a much longer product cycle than the typical 18-month age span of computer ideas and technology. Similarly, the regulation of “information content” is unmanageable due to the sheer number of information providers – literally millions.
Predictor: Ehlers, Vern
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 article for Roll Call, Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.), a member of the House Oversight Committee, writes: ”Exactly how the federal government can merge with the Internet and embrace its democratic principles is a serious matter of debate. Obviously, mandating Internet technological standards in the federal government is out of the question since legislation and regulation have a much longer product cycle than the typical 18-month age span of computer ideas and technology. Similarly, the regulation of ‘information content’ is unmanageable due to the sheer number of information providers – literally millions. Regulating three broadcast networks is awkward, but the federal oversight of millions is simply impossible. These two realizations, however, do not doom America to catastrophe, but actually provide hope for a fair and equal set of telecommunications laws.”
Date of prediction: October 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Global Relationships/Politics
Subtopic: Government
Name of publication: Roll Call
Title, headline, chapter name: Beyond the Cyberhype: What the Internet Means to the Congressman of the Future
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=1f37df3b0f77fee358192406b390d456&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVzb-lSlzV&_md5=325be2b2fd413311380d6314a2bafcfc
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Garrison, Betty