This is the most transforming technological event since the capture of fire.
Predictor: Barlow, John Perry
Prediction, in context:In the 1995 book “The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth About the Internet Culture,” author Dinty Moore quotes John Perry Barlow, a co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, saying: ”When I first got a sense of the Net. I went around saying that it would have a greater consequence on what it is to be human than movable type. I am now inclined to think this is the most transforming technological event since the capture of fire.”
Biography:John Perry Barlow helped found the Electronic Frontier Foundation in 1990 with WELL (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link) members Mitch Kapor and John Gilmore in direct response to a threat to free speech. Barlow’s was one of the loudest voices in the battle to keep the Internet unfettered while still encouraging that it become a tool available to everyone. (Advocate/Voice of the People.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: General, Overarching Remarks
Subtopic: General
Name of publication: The EmperorÕs Virtual Clothes: The Naked Truth about Internet Culture.
Title, headline, chapter name: Back To Nature: The Concluding Chapter.
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 197
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Garrison, Betty