Technology is close enough to being out of control that human intervention has become a weaker and weaker constraint. Also, it’s important to regard technology in the long sweep of history as being one with history. In fact, it’s one with biology, one with the rise of multicellular life forms, and it’s headed someplace – probably. But it’s not alien to the sweep of development and beauty and order in the universe.
Predictor: Vinge, Vernor
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 article for Wired magazine, editor Kevin Kelly has an in-depth conversation with Vernor Vinge, a cult figure among Internet veterans and sci-fi fans thanks to his book “True Names,” a 1981 book that featured a great deal of foresight about the issues now dominating Net culture, including: Can there be privacy? Why not have multiple identities? Should anonymity be tolerated? and Who should know your true name? Kelly quotes Vinge stating: ”Technology is neutral in the sense that it needs some human medium to express itself. But I think technology is close enough to being out of control that human intervention has become a weaker and weaker constraint. Also, it’s important to regard technology in the long sweep of history as being one with history. In fact, it’s one with biology, one with the rise of multicellular life forms, and it’s headed someplace – probably. But it’s not alien to the sweep of development and beauty and order in the universe.”
Biography:Vernor Vinge was known for his prophetic 1983 science fiction book “True Names,” in which he presciently addressed many of the future burning issues of identity and privacy on the Internet. Because of this background, he was interviewed about the Internet in the early 1990s. (Author/Editor/Journalist.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: General, Overarching Remarks
Subtopic: General
Name of publication: Wired
Title, headline, chapter name: Singular Visionary: Sci-fi Master/Math Nerd Vernor Vinge Believes that Machines are About to Rule the Human Race as Humans Have Ruled the Animal Kingdom
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.06/vinge_pr.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney