Computers, like other technological creations, create undesirable as well as desirable possibilities. We now have a greater capacity to track and monitor individuals without their knowledge, to develop more heinous weapons systems, to eliminate the need for human contact in many activities.
Predictor: Johnson, Deborah G.
Prediction, in context:In a 1991 article in National Forum, Deborah Johnson, author of “Computer Ethics,” writes: ”The introduction of computers into our society has created possibilities for individual and institutional behavior that were not available before. We could not have reached the moon without computers, nor could we have the kind of global communication systems we now have. But computers, like other technological creations, create undesirable as well as desirable possibilities. We now have a greater capacity to track and monitor individuals without their knowledge, to develop more heinous weapons systems, to eliminate the need for human contact in many activities.”
Biography:Deborah G. Johnson was a respected scholar in the field of computer ethics in the 1990s. She worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and wrote “Computer Ethics & Social Values” (Prentice Hall, 1995) and “Computer Ethics” (Prentice Hall, 1994). (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1991
Topic of prediction: Community/Culture
Subtopic: Ethics/Values
Name of publication: National Forum
Title, headline, chapter name: Computers and Ethics
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web5.epnet.com/citation.asp?tb=1&_ug=dbs+0%2C1+ln+en%2Dus+sid+FEA17A5A%2D2C1A%2D4363%2DA900%2DB8800C5A57D2%40Sessionmgr4%2DSessionmgr3+4053&_us=bs+%7B%22computers++and++ethics%22%7D+ds+%7B%22computers++and++ethics%22%7D+dstb+KS+hd+0+hs+0+or+Date+ri+KAAACBZA00063795+sm+KS+so+phrase+ss+SO+F1D1&cf=1&fn=1&rn=5
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Kafoure, David