The prediction, in brief:

E-mail is fast replacing back fences as the place to exchange ideas and gossip.

Predictor: Branscomb, Anne Wells

Prediction, in context:

In her 1995 paper “Anonymity, Autonomy and Accountability,” published in the Yale Law Journal, Anne Wells Branscomb writes:”E-mail is fast replacing back fences as the place to exchange ideas and gossip. Its content should be treated just as tolerantly as any other speech, or we risk limiting a freedom we cherish. Colleges cannot censor every student’s e-mail. Nor should they be expected to try. Our schools have no obligation to offer electronic forums for chat. But once offered, speech on these electronic grapevines should be as free as the words we speak.”

Biography:

Anne Wells Branscomb, an expert in technology and the law, was the author of “Who Owns Information? From Privacy to Public Access” (Basic Books, 1994), and the 1995 Yale Law Journal article “Anonymity, Autonomy, and Accountability as Challenges to the First Amendment in Cyberspaces.” (Legislator/Politician/Lawyer.)

Date of prediction: January 1, 1995

Topic of prediction: Communication

Subtopic: E-mail

Name of publication: The Yale Law Journal

Title, headline, chapter name: Anonymity, Autonomy, and Accountability: Challenges to the First Amendment in Cyberspaces

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web5.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/25/937/33272584w5/purl=rc2_EAIM_1_Anonymity,+autonomy,+and+accountability_________________________________________________________&dyn=sig!1?sw_aep=ncliveec

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Bricker, Erin E.