In an era when the network advances faster than the CPU, it is more likely that communications processors will gradually “suck in” and “hollow out” the functions of the CPU, rather than the other way around. Echoing Sun’s perennial slogan, Eric Schmidt predicts that the network will become the computer. In this era, Moore’s Law and the law of the microcosm are no longer the driving force of progress in information technology. Bandwidth is king.
Predictor: Gilder, George
Prediction, in context:In a 1994 article he wrote for Forbes ASAP titled “The Bandwidth Tidal Wave,” George Gilder looks at the technology involved in the networking revolution. The article is a portion of his 1996 book “Telecosm.” Gilder writes: ”In an era when the network advances faster than the CPU, it is more likely that communications processors will gradually ‘suck in’ and ‘hollow out’ the functions of the CPU, rather than the other way around. Echoing Sun’s perennial slogan, Eric Schmidt predicts that the network will become the computer. In this era, Moore’s Law and the law of the microcosm are no longer the driving force of progress in information technology. Bandwidth is king.”
Biography:George Gilder was a pioneer the formulation of the theory of supply-side economics. In his major book “Microcosm” (1989), he explored the quantum roots of the new electronic technologies. His book “Life After Television,” published by W.W. Norton (1992), is a prophecy of computers and telecommunications displacing the broadcast-TV empire. He followed it with another classic, “Telecosm.” (Futurist/Consultant.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1994
Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure
Subtopic: Pipeline/Switching/Hardware
Name of publication: Forbes ASAP
Title, headline, chapter name: The Bandwidth Tidal Wave
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~gaj1/bandgg.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney