The correlation of knowledge with power may become even more misleading in the electronic age as we literally unplug the technologically underequipped from our information networks … While electronic networking does, indeed, enfranchise some individuals and groups who have not contributed yet to the creation of democratic societies, these people are already fairly privileged when considered in a global context.
Predictor: Hall, Barbara Welling
Prediction, in context:In the July 1994 issue of The Network Observer online newsletter, Barbara Welling Hall writes about networking, democracy and computers: ”The correlation of knowledge with power may become even more misleading in the electronic age as we literally unplug the technologically underequipped from our information networks … While electronic networking does, indeed, enfranchise some individuals and groups who have not contributed yet to the creation of democratic societies, these people are already fairly privileged when considered in a global context … Computers are ambivalent tools of communication. At their best they are phronetic tools that will make it easier to apply our collective wisdom to the solutions of practical problems. At their worst they are alluring instruments for trivial pursuits. Obviously, democracy will be better served by the former.”
Date of prediction: July 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Digital Divide
Name of publication: The Network Observer
Title, headline, chapter name: Electronic Networking and Democracy
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://dlis.gseis.ucla.edu/people/pagre/tno/july-1994.html#augmented
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Kafoure, David