[One] worry people have is that multimedia entertainment will be so easy to get and so compelling, some of us will use the system too much for our own good. This could become a serious problem when virtual-reality experiences are commonplace … Frankly, I’m not too concerned about the world whiling away its hours on the information highway. At worst, I expect, it will be like playing video games or gambling. Support groups will convene to help abusers who want to modify their behavior.
Predictor: Gates, Bill
Prediction, in context:In his 1995 book “The Road Ahead,” Microsoft CEO Bill Gates writes:”[One] worry people have is that multimedia entertainment will be so easy to get and so compelling, some of us will use the system too much for our own good. This could become a serious problem when virtual-reality experiences are commonplace … If you were to find yourself escaping into these attractive worlds too often, or for too long, and began to be worried about it, you could try to deny yourself the entertainment by telling the system, ‘No matter what password I give, don’t let me play any more than half an hour of games a day.’ This would be a little speed bump, a warning to slow your involvement with something you found too appealing … A lot of people spend several hours a day with a television on. To the extent we can replace some of that passive entertainment with interactive entertainment, viewers may be better off. Frankly, I’m not too concerned about the world whiling away its hours on the information highway. At worst, I expect, it will be like playing video games or gambling. Support groups will convene to help abusers who want to modify their behavior.”
Biography:Bill Gates, the most influential technology entrepreneur of the late 20th century, was the primary author of the prediction-packed 1995 book “The Road Ahead” and is the founder and CEO of Microsoft Corporation. (Entrepreneur/Business Leader.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Community/Culture
Subtopic: Social Withdrawal/Addiction
Name of publication: The Road Ahead (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Chapter 12: Critical Issues
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 263, 264
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne