[The NREN] would connect more than one million people … giving them access to computing power and information – resources unavailable anywhere today – and making possible the rapid proliferation of a truly nationwide, ubiquitous network.
Predictor: Gore, Al
Prediction, in context:In a September 1991 submission to the Network Working Group’s Request for Comments (Request for Comments 1259), Mitchell Kapor, co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, writes: ”Congress has indicated its intention that the NREN [National Research and Education Network] would provide American researchers and educators with the computer and information resources they need, while demonstrating how advanced computer, high-speed networks, and electronic databases can improve the national information infrastructure for use by all Americans. [As noted in the High-Performance Computing and Communications Act of 1991, H.R. 656, S. 272, section 2.] As currently envisioned, the NREN ‘would connect more than one million people at more than one thousand colleges, universities, laboratories, and hospitals throughout the country, giving them access to computing power and information – resources unavailable anywhere today – and making possible the rapid proliferation of a truly nationwide, ubiquitous network.’ [As noted in the High-Performance Computing and Communications Act of 1991: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation – opening statement by Senator Gore.] The combined demand of these users would develop innovative new services and further stimulate demand for existing network applications.”
Biography:Al Gore, a former U.S. senator and vice president, made the future of technology an important part of his political agenda and was a leader in technology policymaking in the years before and during the Clinton Administration. Internet pioneers said his support had significant impact in the building of the U.S. network. (Legislator/Politician/Lawyer.)
Date of prediction: September 1, 1991
Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure
Subtopic: Pipeline/Switching/Hardware
Name of publication: Requests For Comments
Title, headline, chapter name: Building the Open Road: The NREN As Test-Bed for the National Public Network
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.eff.org/Publications/Mitch_Kapor/nren_npn_nii_kapor_eff.rfc
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney