The prediction, in brief:

All electronic “publishers” should be allowed equal access to networks. Ultimately, there could be hundreds of thousands of these information providers, as there are hundreds of thousands of print publishers today. As “nodes,” they will be considered the conveners of the environments within which on-line assembly takes place … Anyone who objects to the content of a node can find hundreds of other systems where they might articulate their ideas more freely. The danger is if choice is somehow restricted: if all computer networks in the country are restrained from allowing discussion on particular subjects or if a publicly sponsored computer network limits discussion.

Predictor: Kapor, Mitchell

Prediction, in context:

In a 1991 article for Scientific American, Electronic Frontier Foundation co-founder Mitchell Kapor states:”All electronic ‘publishers’ should be allowed equal access to networks. Ultimately, there could be hundreds of thousands of these information providers, as there are hundreds of thousands of print publishers today. As ‘nodes,’ they will be considered the conveners of the environments within which on-line assembly takes place … Anyone who objects to the content of a node can find hundreds of other systems where they might articulate their ideas more freely. The danger is if choice is somehow restricted: if all computer networks in the country are restrained from allowing discussion on particular subjects or if a publicly sponsored computer network limits discussion.”

Biography:

Mitchell Kapor founded the Lotus Development Corporation and also founded the Electronic Frontier Foundation with WELL (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link) members John Perry Barlow and John Gilmore in 1990 in direct response to a threat to free speech. He was an outspoken supporter of open access to the Internet, and was asked to speak in many venues about the issue, including Congressional hearings. (Pioneer/Originator.)

Date of prediction: January 1, 1991

Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues

Subtopic: Censorship/Free Speech

Name of publication: Scientific American

Title, headline, chapter name: When Does Hacking Turn From An Exercise of Civil Liberties Into Crime?

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.eff.org/Publications/Mitch_Kapor/cyberliberties_kapor.article

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