Elon University
The prediction, in brief:

This new access to information can draw people together by increasing their understanding of other cultures. Some believe it will cause discontent and worse, a “Revolution of Expectations,” when disenfranchised people get enough data about another lifestyle to contrast it with their own. Within individual societies, the balance of traditional versus modern experiences will shift as people use the information highway to expose themselves to a greater range of possibilities. Some cultures may feel under assault, as people pay greater attention to global issues or cultures, and less to traditional local ones.

Predictor: Gates, Bill

Prediction, in context:

In his 1995 book “The Road Ahead,” Microsoft CEO Bill Gates writes: ”This new access to information can draw people together by increasing their understanding of other cultures. Some believe it will cause discontent and worse, a ‘Revolution of Expectations,’ when disenfranchised people get enough data about another lifestyle to contrast it with their own. Within individual societies, the balance of traditional versus modern experiences will shift as people use the information highway to expose themselves to a greater range of possibilities. Some cultures may feel under assault, as people pay greater attention to global issues or cultures, and less to traditional local ones.”

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: Global Relationships/Politics

Subtopic: General

Name of publication: The Road Ahead (book)

Title, headline, chapter name: Chapter 12: Critical Issues

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 262

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