The prediction, in brief:

Free, public access to Internet mailing lists can create new opportunities for displaced workers and low-income children to broaden their network of personal acquaintances for employment and education prospects far outside their schools and neighborhoods. Free access to Internet-based mailing lists could become a jumping-off point for a young student, enabling him or her to not only follow the current debate on a particular research topic but actually find out about and acquaint themselves with members of particular research communities.

Predictor: Civille, Richard

Prediction, in context:

The 1995 book “Public Access to the Internet,” edited by Brian Kahin and James Keller carries the chapter, “The Internet and the Poor” by Richard Civille, executive director of the Center for Civic Networking, a non-profit organization dedicated to the application of information infrastructure to community and economic development. He writes:”Internet-based electronic mail may well be a public good, with implications concerning the types of basic services that should be bundled into any new consideration of Universal Service policies. Free, public access to Internet mailing lists can create new opportunities for displaced workers and low-income children to broaden their network of personal acquaintances for employment and education prospects far outside their schools and neighborhoods. Free access to Internet-based mailing lists could become a jumping-off point for a young student, enabling him or her to not only follow the current debate on a particular research topic but actually find out about and acquaint themselves with members of particular research communities.”

Date of prediction: January 1, 1995

Topic of prediction: Communication

Subtopic: E-mail

Name of publication: Public Access to the Internet (book)

Title, headline, chapter name: The Internet and the Poor

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 197, 198

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne