The prediction, in brief:

Transmission speed does not automatically equate to value of information … The highest-value information is typically condensed information that may not require more than the simplest transmission technologies to deliver. Given this premise, perhaps the highest-value network service would be e-mail access to experts who provide condensed information and training targeted to individuals’ specific needs. Equity of access to such human-mediated services must be assured.

Predictor: Odasz, Frank

Prediction, in context:

The 1995 book “Public Access to the Internet,” edited by Brian Kahin and James Keller carries the chapter, “Issues in the Development of Community Cooperative Networks” by Frank Odasz, the director of Big Sky Telegraph, Western Montana College of the University of Montana. He writes:”Do we really need hundreds of pages per second, or would five pages per minute suffice? It should not be assumed that faster transmission technologies will automatically result in increased access to the information that will make a significant positive change in our lives. Transmission speed does not automatically equate to value of information … The highest-value information is typically condensed information that may not require more than the simplest transmission technologies to deliver. Given this premise, perhaps the highest-value network service would be e-mail access to experts who provide condensed information and training targeted to individuals’ specific needs. Equity of access to such human-mediated services must be assured.”

Biography:

Frank Odasz was an assistant professor of computing education at the University of Colorado and the director of Big Sky Telegraph, a popular community network of the time. He was widely known as a speaker on community networking and educational technologies. (Technology Developer/Administrator.)

Date of prediction: January 1, 1995

Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information

Subtopic: General

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

Title, headline, chapter name: Issues in the Development of Community Cooperative Networks

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 122

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