In the future, when you will be able to work anywhere, reach anyone from anywhere, and be reached anywhere, you will be able to determine easily who and what can intrude. By explicitly indicating allowable interruptions, you will be able to reestablish your home – or anywhere you choose – as your sanctuary. The information highway will help by prescreening all incoming communications, whether live phone calls, multimedia documents, e-mail, advertisements, or even news flashes. Anyone who has been approved by you will be able to get through to your electronic in-box or ring your phone. You might allow some people to send you mail but not to telephone … Incoming communications will be tagged by source and type – for instance, ads, greetings, inquires, publications, work-related documents, or bills.
Predictor: Gates, Bill
Prediction, in context:In his 1995 book “The Road Ahead,” Microsoft CEO Bill Gates writes:”A decade ago we didn’t have to decide whether we wanted to receive documents at home or take calls on the road. It was easy to withdraw to your house, or certainly to your car. With modern technology you have to decide when and where you want to be available. In the future, when you will be able to work anywhere, reach anyone from anywhere, and be reached anywhere, you will be able to determine easily who and what can intrude. By explicitly indicating allowable interruptions, you will be able to reestablish your home – or anywhere you choose – as your sanctuary. The information highway will help by prescreening all incoming communications, whether live phone calls, multimedia documents, e-mail, advertisements, or even news flashes. Anyone who has been approved by you will be able to get through to your electronic in-box or ring your phone. You might allow some people to send you mail but not to telephone … Incoming communications will be tagged by source and type – for instance, ads, greetings, inquires, publications, work-related documents, or bills. You’ll set up explicitly delivery policies. You’ll decide who can make your phone ring during dinner, who can reach you in your car, or when you’re on vacation, and which kinds of calls or messages are worth waking you for in the middle of the night.”
Biography:Bill Gates, the most influential technology entrepreneur of the late 20th century, was the primary author of the prediction-packed 1995 book “The Road Ahead” and is the founder and CEO of Microsoft Corporation. (Entrepreneur/Business Leader.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information
Subtopic: General
Name of publication: The Road Ahead (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Chapter 10: Plugged In At Home
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 213
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne