If we cease to move forward at this critical time we stand a very good chance of losing our technological leadership in the next century. Our pioneering efforts will transfer to Europe and Asia, with them reaping the commercial benefits of high-speed technology.
Predictor: Farber, David J.
Prediction, in context:In 1994, David Farber wrote about the future of the U.S. in the cyber-technology race: ”Unfortunately, just as we are developing a much better appreciation of the problems as well as finding ourselves competing in an active international research environment, our resolve is beginning to flag. We are beginning to see U.S. reactions to gigabit research ranging from, ‘we don’t need a gigabit network,’ to ‘we don’t see the applications yet,’ to ‘can’t we get by funding 155 megabits?,’ as I have recently noted in an editorial for the ERCIM newsletter … Were it not for the fact that we have stirred up the juices of gigabit research in other nations, this might not be completely unreasonable – although to my mind, it would be unwise. If we cease to move forward at this critical time we stand a very good chance of losing our technological leadership in the next century. Our pioneering efforts will transfer to Europe and Asia, with them reaping the commercial benefits of high-speed technology.”
Biography:David Farber was the recipient of the 1995 ACM Sigcomm Award for lifelong contributions to the computer communications field. He has worked at the University of Pennsylvania, managing research in high-speed networking. In 2000, he served as chief technologist at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. He also directed the Center for Communications and Information Sciences and Policy. In 1997, Upside magazine named him one of its Elite 100 visionaries of high-tech. (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)
Date of prediction: December 31, 1994
Topic of prediction: Global Relationships/Politics
Subtopic: General
Name of publication: Interesting People
Title, headline, chapter name: Farber’s New Year’s Editorial: Move It or Lose It
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/199412/msg00073.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Goodrich, Barbara J.