Elon University
The prediction, in brief:

Telecommunications is creating one single global economy, but at the same time empowering individuals and small groups by providing them opportunities that only big companies had before … Many small players are global forces.

Predictor: Naisbitt, John

Prediction, in context:

In a 1994 article for Wired magazine, editor Kevin Kelly interviews futurist John Naisbitt. Kelly writes: ”John Naisbitt hit the publishing jackpot in 1982 with his surprise bestseller ‘Megatrends,’ about the future shape of the technological world. Naisbitt predicted that 10 shifts would dominate coming decades. One of his mantras, ‘High-Tech/ High-Touch,’ thoroughly entered the public consciousness and continues to be a rule of thumb: every technological force spawns a parallel but opposite anti-tech force. Mr. Big Trend followed ‘Megatrends’ with consulting, speaking, and, in 1986, ‘Re-inventing the Corporation,’ which he coauthored. Now he’s back, with his latest shape-shifter, ‘Global Paradox: The Bigger the World Economy, the More Powerful Its Smallest Players’ … [Naisbitt says] ‘Telecommunications is creating one single global economy, but at the same time empowering individuals and small groups by providing them opportunities that only big companies had before. For instance, my own company, Megatrends Ltd., comprises only four people, including me. But we are involved in 57 joint ventures in 42 countries. Many small players are global forces today. This could never be done before.”

Biography:

John Naisbitt, a futurist, was co-author of the best-selling book “Megatrends 2000: Ten New Directions for the 1990s” (Morrow, 1991). (Futurist/Consultant.)

Date of prediction: January 1, 1994

Topic of prediction: Economic structures

Subtopic: General

Name of publication: Wired

Title, headline, chapter name: Mr. Big Trend: Futurist John Naisbitt On Why Small is Not Only Beautiful, But Powerful

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/2.10/naisbitt_pr.html

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney