The prediction, in brief:

t seems likely that the enormous consumer markets for electronic entertainment and for voice communications will dominate the modest resources invested in the many networks that make up the Internet and the bulletin board and other innovative information services accessible through the Internet. Thus the first responsibility of the Information Infrastructure Task Force is to assign responsibilities and formulate legislation to set policies, regulations and standards that ensure that the vision of a wired, information-rich nation is not obscured by the much larger emerging electronic entertainment markets.

Predictor: Branscomb, Lewis M.

Prediction, in context:

The 1995 book “Public Access to the Internet,” edited by Brian Kahin and James Keller carries the chapter, “Balancing the Commercial and Public-Interest Visions of the NII” by Lewis Branscomb, director of the Program on Science, Technology and Public Policy at Harvard University and principal investigator of the Information Infrastructure Project. Branscomb writes:”Balancing Commercial Markets and Public Interest Applications in the NII: Will these new entertainment and shopping channels push aside the public services of great value to society? It seems likely that the enormous consumer markets for electronic entertainment and for voice communications will dominate the modest resources invested in the many networks that make up the Internet and the bulletin board and other innovative information services accessible through the Internet. Thus the first responsibility of the Information Infrastructure Task Force is to assign responsibilities and formulate legislation to set policies, regulations and standards that ensure that the vision of a wired, information-rich nation is not obscured by the much larger emerging electronic entertainment markets.”

Date of prediction: January 1, 1995

Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure

Subtopic: General

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

Title, headline, chapter name: Balancing the Commercial and Public-Interest Visions of the NII

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 27, 28

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