The argument that developments in consumer electronics, computers and telecommunications will dramatically alter the nature of economic and social activity in the home is not supported by the available evidence … A succession of revolutionary “homes of the future” incorporating various “home automation” systems have been built in the U.S. and Europe in recent decades, but by and large they have left consumers cold.
Predictor: Forester, Tom
Prediction, in context:The 1997 book “Computers, Ethics, and Society,” edited by M. David Ermann, Mary B. Williams and Michele S. Shauf, carries the 1992 article “Megatrends or Megamistakes” by Tom Forester. Forester argues that the information revolution did not have the profound effects that were predicted. He writes: ”The argument that developments in consumer electronics, computers and telecommunications will dramatically alter the nature of economic and social activity in the home is not supported by the available evidence. Despite the arrival of microwaves, food processors, VCR’s, CD players, big-screen TV’s, answering machines, home faxes, word processors and portable phones, home life remains basically the same. Moreover, a succession of revolutionary ‘homes of the future’ incorporating various ‘home automation’ systems have been built in the U.S. and Europe in recent decades, but by and large they have left consumers cold.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1992
Topic of prediction: Community/Culture
Subtopic: General
Name of publication: Computers, Ethics, and Society (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Whatever Happened to the Information Revolution in the Workplace?
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 202
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne