Direct democracy, which inevitably leads to information overload can, at best, only be a minor palliative to the political information problem. What people want are trustworthy information sources that will do the hard work of gathering and digesting political information for them. This is already a function of the media, but only in a primitive form. The greatest potential of new information technology to improve democracy lies in its ability to enhance mediated democracy … Passive media may be replaced by a new type of interactive multimedia … [Reporters] are likely to become independent information entrepreneurs, selling their information wares directly to the public over the telecommunications network. Part person and part computer program, these information agents will gather and digest information, then disseminate it to their clients just as high-priced consultants do today.
Predictor: Snider, James
Prediction, in context:The 1995 book “The Information Revolution,” edited by Donald Altschiller, carries a reprint of the 1994, The Futurist article “Democracy On-line” by James H. Snider. Snider speculates on the electronic town meeting, a possibility in the near future. He writes:”As the many critics of direct democracy have argued, the average person does not have the time, ability, or inclination to become an expert on issues and candidates. Direct democracy, which inevitably leads to information overload can, at best, only be a minor palliative to the political information problem. What people want are trustworthy information sources that will do the hard work of gathering and digesting political information for them. This is already a function of the media, but only in a primitive form. The greatest potential of new information technology to improve democracy lies in its ability to enhance mediated democracy. The importance of today’s passive media is likely diminish greatly over the coming decades. Passive media may be replaced by a new type of interactive multimedia, characterized by highly specialized media outlets often described as ‘information agents.’ For example, a typical city today has one dominant newspaper. This newspaper achieves its dominance largely because of huge economies of scale associated with its distribution system. In the future, the reporters who work for such newspaper are likely to become independent information entrepreneurs, selling their information wares directly to the public over the telecommunications network. Part person and part computer program, these information agents will gather and digest information, then disseminate it to their clients just as high-priced consultants do today. Accordingly, their customized information will be short and clear and allow for as much background and explanatory information as desired.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information
Subtopic: Journalism/Media
Name of publication: The Information Revolution (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Democracy On-line
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 188, 189
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne