Next there will be lawsuits. Since we are all spending hours browsing, there will be info-way addiction. And that’s followed by info-way regulations.
Predictor: Bell, Gordon
Prediction, in context:In the keynote speech at InternetWorld 1995, pioneering computer scientist Gordon Bell, formerly of Digital Equipment Corporation and at the time a research leader at Microsoft, shows a presentation slide that makes a point regarding the recent hype of the Internet, saying: ”This [slide] shows the growth in hype vs. reality. The first curve shows the rise of speculation on how great it’ll be – politicians, telecom presidents and futurists all making statements about Cyberspace. Next we had an impulse – a function that is infinitely high and takes zero time – The impulse [that triggered the next high] was the World Wide Web with hyperlinks followed by the Mosaic viewers. All three were needed. These caused a takeoff in books and newspapers about the Internet. Conferences about Internet follow along with growth in browsers. And next there will be lawsuits. Since we are all spending hours browsing there will be info-way addiction. And that’s followed by info-way regulations.”
Biography:Gordon Bell proposed a plan for a U.S. research and education network in a 1987 report to the Office of Science and Technology in response to a congressional request by Al Gore. He was a technology leader at Digital Equipment Corporation (where he led the development of the VAX computer) and with Microsoft. (Technology Developer/Administrator)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Global Relationships/Politics
Subtopic: Government
Name of publication: InternetWorld 1995 Conference
Title, headline, chapter name: It’s Bandwidth and Symmetry, Stupid!
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://research.microsoft.com/~gbell/IntWorld/tsld002.htm
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney