There’s a steady, inevitable overcoming of human provincialism. We’re becoming schooled to larger perspectives. Though it’s not always easy to believe, we’re going to be more tolerant of diversity and difference. We will grasp a sense of global living in a way we never could before.
Predictor: Birkerts, Sven
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 article for Wired magazine, Harvey Blume interviews Sven Birkerts, author of “The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age.” Birkerts fears new technology is bringing us convenience in exchange for the loss of our souls. Following is a portion of the interview: ”Wired: Can’t you see any of the liberating impact of computers?” ”Birkerts: Yes, I think there’s a steady, inevitable overcoming of human provincialism. We’re becoming schooled to larger perspectives. Though it’s not always easy to believe, we’re going to be more tolerant of diversity and difference. We will grasp a sense of global living in a way we never could before.”
Biography:Sven Birkerts was the author of “The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age.” Birkerts feared new technology was bringing us convenience in exchange for the loss of our souls. (Author/Editor/Journalist.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Global Relationships/Politics
Subtopic: General
Name of publication: Wired
Title, headline, chapter name: Digital Refusnik: Sven Birkerts Believes that Technology is Leeching the Spiritual Out of Human Experience
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.05/refusnik_pr.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney