A fee structure prohibitive to large sectors of society could create an information oligarchy, further delineating class divisions and disenfranchising the computer uninitiated.
Predictor: Rheingold, Howard
Prediction, in context:In a 1993 article for The Seattle Times, Paul Andrews interviews Howard Rheingold. Andrews writes: ”Rheingold and other watchdogs, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation formed by Lotus 1-2-3 founder Mitchell Kapor and Grateful Dead lyricist John Barlow, have raised three red flags over the future of digital communications. [The third is:] Cost. A fee structure prohibitive to large sectors of society could create an information oligarchy, further delineating class divisions and disenfranchising the computer uninitiated.”
Biography:Howard Rheingold, one of the first writers to illuminate the ideals and foibles of virtual communities, published a webzine called Electric Minds and wrote “Virtual Reality,” “Smart Mobs” and “Virtual Community.” He also was the editor of Whole Earth Review and the Millennium Whole Earth Catalog. (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1993
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Digital Divide
Name of publication: Seattle Times
Title, headline, chapter name: Author Backs Freedom of Online Expression – Concerns Raised on Control of Data Highway
Quote Type: Partial quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=44d5a7ddba65f99f5b12dab299fb936d&_docnum=21&wchp=dGLbVlz-lSlAl&_md5=22ed5afb78656cdf870dc3358b1a4164
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney